Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: Advancing Community Wellness at ALAS
By Andrea Smith, PVF Program and Communications Associate
As we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, this is a time to honor the history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic communities across the nation!
ALAS (Ayudando Latinos A Soñar) is a Latino Cultural Arts and Social Services Program for youth, families and farmworkers in Half Moon Bay dedicated to working for social wellness through multicultural practices, mental health care, individualized and collective support related to education, immigration processes, and advocating for the wellbeing of the whole community.
Recently, ALAS has been able to expand vital services that bring healing and hope directly to the people and places that need them most. Through the Equity Express Bus, they deliver health care, mental health services, nutrition, education support, legal advocacy, and cultural arts programming into schools, housing communities, and even onto the farms where community members work. This work reflects the true spirit of Hispanic Heritage Month—meeting people where they are, valuing culture as a source of strength, and advancing equity for all.
A major milestone this year has been the growth of the Corazones de Oro (Golden Hearts) senior program, which has doubled its reach. This program promotes mental, physical, and social well-being, while also empowering seniors to share their talents, perform, lead, and engage civically like never before. In a culture where elders are treasured as keepers of wisdom and tradition, this program is a beautiful reminder of how heritage and health intertwine.
ALAS was honored that they were named Stanford University’s Collaborating Partner of the Year for their work with the Stanford Child Health Program, focusing on community wellness and youth mental health. Through the Colibrí Collaborative, they also launched a Community Advisory Board to bring powerful local voices into research and solutions to address disparities. This recognition underscores how community leadership drives change and how cultural values of resilience, advocacy, and unity fuel progress.
ALAS invites you to come join them next at the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival, October 18 & 19!
- Parade: Saturday at noon – look for ALAS proudly marching!
- Cultural Wellness Center (507 Purissima Street): Stop by to enjoy a delicious Tri-Tip sandwich, meet our team, and experience the heart of our community.
