SAN JUAN COUNTY, WA September 25, 2025 – The County Council issued a proclamation recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15-October 15, 2025. The proclamation celebrates the valuable contributions of the Latino community and encourages residents to patron Latino-run businesses, engage in conversations with Latino friends and neighbors, and support local organizations that seek to make San Juan County an inclusive and welcoming space for all.
Taking Steps Forward
San Juan County continues to work to develop policies, programming, and services that serve the local Latino community. To strengthen communication and remove barriers to access, the County is finalizing a comprehensive Language Access Plan that will make important resources more accessible to residents who speak languages other than English, including Spanish and Portuguese. Outlining translation and interpretation tools for the County, this effort reflects a broader commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that language is not an obstacle to receiving essential services or participating fully in County programs.
Additionally, the County is actively creating spaces that celebrate Latino culture and strengthen community connections. For the second year, the annual County Fair featured an evening of entertainment dedicated to Latin music. Local Orcas Island band Lilo Sanchez and the Small Ideas, along with international bands, led the crowd in a night of dancing and celebrating.
The County also continues to work alongside the Latino community on a variety of projects including bilingual dental clinics and public health initiatives, and is grateful for the opportunity to continue building relationships with local partners.
While progress has been made, the County recognizes that there is still important work to do to better serve the Latino community. The County plans to continue expanding access to information, strengthening outreach, and ensuring that services are responsive to the community’s needs. The County remains committed to listening, learning, and improving so that all residents feel included and valued.
County Resources for Spanish-Speakers
- Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation English / Proclamación del Mes de la Herencia Hispana en español
- Community Health Assessment Outreach / Alcance de la Evaluación de Salud Comunitaria
- Community Health Assessment Report / Informe de Evaluación de Salud Comunitaria
- Lopez Island Child Care Needs Assessment / De Evaluación de las Necesidades de Cuidado Infantil de López
- Do you need an interpreter? / ¿Necesita un intérprete?
- Spanish-language social media accounts / Cuentas de redes sociales españolas : Facebook Instagram
- News alerts in Spanish / Regístrese para recibir alertas de noticias en español
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