This week, Spanish I students were visited by Ms. Shelly Rivera from the Hispanic Center of the Lehigh Valley.

Historically, Moravian Academy and the HCLV have been partners in many ways, exchanging programming and support over the years. Moravian Academy has participated in the HCLV gala as a sponsor and we are so proud of the relationship we have built together throughout the years. Even during the pandemic, the Historic Downtown Campus students brought canned goods to the food bank at the Basilio Huertas Senior Center, a beloved part of the HCLV that serves senior citizens hot meals and provides social opportunities for local residents. Students and residents met outside and donned masks while exchanging hellos and bags of donations. This year, the freshmen were able to engage with the center as students looking to learn more and to give back to their community. They asked thoughtful questions and now have one more community service option to explore!

Not only is the Hispanic Center of the Lehigh Valley an amazing place for students and seniors to interact in Spanish and share experiences, but it is also a wonderful place for students at the Merle Smith Campus to spend some time participating in community service. Ms. Rivera took the time to explain the history behind the HCLV, an institution established "to improve the quality of lives of families (Hispanic and non-Hispanic) by empowering them to become more self-sufficient while promoting an intercultural understanding in the Lehigh Valley," as stated in their mission. Students also learned that the HCLV was established in 1968 by members of the Puerto Rican Beneficial Society, Holy Infancy Catholic Church, and the former City of Bethlehem Human Relations Unit. 

It was exciting to be able to connect students to members of our own Bethlehem community across town, to provide them with information about future partnerships, and to continue to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in and out of the classroom!