Mano al Hermano Records, ORG.5284

[Identification of item], ORG.5284, Mano al Hermano Records, Outer Banks History Center, Manteo, NC, U.S.A.

The Mano al Hermano Records, 2010-2018, contains newspaper clippings, event flyers and programs, photographs, and other papers created and collected by the organization from the time of its inception. Included is a scrapbook apparently created by Mano al Hermano's first executive director, Ginger Candelora, documenting the group during her involvement with it. Also included is substantial documentation of the 2015 OBX Latin Festival, including a DVD of photographs and videos, event flyers, newspaper clippings and publicity about the festival, and a set of blank vendor contracts. Photographs in the collection mainly depict groups of children participating in various activities as part of Mano al Hermano's Family Literacy Program and working in the community garden.

Original folder titles have been retained. Original order has been retained when possible. News clippings and event programs have been arranged chronologically.

Mano al Hermano ("My Hand to My Brother") traces its origins to 2003, when a Latino support group was founded by Sister Arcadia Rivera. Rivera led the group for several years. The group was then revived by Ginger Candelora in 2010 and affiliated with Interfaith Community Outreach. On 26 April 2011, the group was given 501(c)(3) status under its current name. As of 2018, the organization is still active and headquartered in Nags Head, North Carolina.

Mano al Hermano's mission is to serve the Hispanic/Latinx community of the Outer Banks by supporting literacy and education initiatives, offering English language classes, providing guidance on immigration and other legal issues, and encouraging collaboration between the Latinx and Anglo communities of Dare County. One of the group's first initiatives was to establish a community garden on Roanoke Island with the assistance of the Dare County Airport Authority. The goal of the community garden was "to provide affordable and accessible healthy food to locals while encouraging community involvement and interaction." Mano al Hermano still operates the community garden as of 2018. Another major initiative led by the group is the Family Literacy Program. This program involves home-based volunteer tutoring for elementary school children, English language lessons for parents, and an annual summer field trip for participants. From 2013 to 2017, Mano al Hermano organized an annual celebration in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, first called the Hispanic Heritage Festival, and later called the OBX Latin Festival. The organization also offers regular workshops and presentations on developing issues affecting the Latinx community, including changes in federal immigration policies (for example, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA), local resolutions relating to undocumented immigrants, and guidance on dealing with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials.

As of 2018, Mano al Hermano has had four executive directors: Ginger Candelora (2011-2016), Jessica Loose (2016-2017), Ama Frimpong (2017-2018), and Paris Murray (2018).

Collection Contents

Community gardens--North Carolina--Dare County

Ethnic festivals--North Carolina--Dare County

Hispanic Americans--North Carolina--Dare County

Hispanic Americans--Societies, etc.

Latin Americans--United States--History--21st century

Latin Americans--United States--Social life and customs

Literacy Programs--North Carolina--Dare County

Social work with Hispanic Americans

United States--Emigration and Immigration--Social aspects

United States--Emigration and Immigration--Public opinion

Donated by Mano al Hermano, July 2018.

Processed by Samantha Crisp, August 2018.