Día Mini-Grant Past Winners
2024 Día Mini-Grants Winners
We’re excited to announce the 2024 REFORMA Día Mini-Grants awards recipients. The winners were selected based on the creativity of the program, level of community involvement, and impact of the project as it best highlights Latino/x/é authors, performers, and culture. Each winner will receive $500 to support a Día program.Takoma Park Maryland Library / Verónica Rivera-Negrón
Takoma Park, Maryland
Yek Peyna Guxgatan (Good Morning, El Salvador / Buenos días, El Salvador)
Aurora Public Library District / Mariana Guerrero
Aurora, Illinois
The Story of Dance/ La historia de la danza
Healdsburg Elementary School Library Learning Commons / Greta Mesics
Healdsburg, California
Día del niño
Goshen Public Library / Adriana Martinez Diaz de Leon
Goshen, Indiana
Al niño y al libro, hay que celebrarlos
Día del Libro Committee (Woodland Public Library, County of Yolo, California Association for Bilingual Education Chapter 76) / Gloria Ulloa Rodríguez
Woodland, California
Día de los niños/Día del libro
*Los Angeles Public Library / Vania Arevalo and Tatiana Ortiz Cordonero
Los Angeles, California
Celebrate Children's Day Event at the Discovery Cube
*Mini-Grant sponsored by the Los Angeles Chapter
REFORMA thanks CAYASC and the 2024 Día Mini-Grants Selection Committee:
- Abigail Morales, Implementation Project Manager, Innovative
- Adriana Lugo, Librarian, Cañada College
- Crystle Ardoin, Catalog & Collection Development Tech, Temple Public Library
- Eric Gomez, Community Library Manager, Broward County Library
- Jessica Agudelo, Youth Collections Coordinator, BookOps
- Nancy Macías, Library Technician, Mobile and Outreach Services, Alameda County Library
- Rita Pino Vargas, Librarian, Haak'u Community Academy
- Dr. Sujei Lugo Vázquez, Children's Librarian, Boston Public Library
- Beatriz Sarmiento, Chapter Vice-President/President-Elect; Retired Library Director
- Fiorella Casella, Chapter Secretary; Teen Services Librarian, Long Beach Public Library
- Dr. Michele A. L. Villagran, Chapter President; Assistant Professor, San Jose State University School of Information
- Sonia Bautista, Chapter Treasurer; Library Director, City of Commerce Public Library
We thank everyone who applied for our Día Mini-Grant Program. We received 26 eligible submissions.
El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day), commonly known as Día, is a celebration every day of children, families, and reading that culminates yearly on April 30. The celebration emphasizes the importance of literacy for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds. REFORMA is proud to be a founding partner of Día.
REFORMA is committed to supporting programming for Latino and Spanish-speaking communities through our Grants Programs. If you'd like to support future grants, consider making a donation to REFORMA at reforma.org/donate.
¡Felicidades a los ganadores!
2023 Día Mini-Grants Winners
El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day), commonly known as Día, is a celebration every day of children, families, and reading that culminates yearly on April 30. The celebration emphasizes the importance of literacy for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds. REFORMA is proud to be a founding partner of Día.We’re excited to announce the winners of the 2023 REFORMA Día Mini-Grants. The winners were selected based on the creativity of the program, level of community involvement, and impact of the project as it best highlights Latinx authors, performers, and culture.
- Los Angeles Public Library / Tatiana Ortiz Cordonero - Los Angeles, CA / Mini-Grant sponsored by the Los Angeles Chapter
- Newark Public Library / Yesenia Lopez - Newark, NJ
- Alma Reaves Woods Watts Branch Library, Los Angeles Public Library / Charlene Nichols - Los Angeles, CA
- North Central Washington Library / Claudia Bovee - Wenatchee, WA
- Truckee Library, Nevada County Library / Xenia Dieter - Truckee, CA
- Oak Park Public Library / Nora Sanchez - Oak Park, IL
REFORMA thanks the 2021 Día Mini-Grants Selection Committee:
- Jessica Agudelo, Youth Collections Coordinator, BookOps; Co-Chair of REFORMA’s Children’s and Young Adult Services Committee (CAYASC)
- Celia Avila de Santiago, Senior Librarian, Junipero Serra Branch Library, Los Angeles Public Library; Chair of REFORMA’s Public Relations Committee
- Cynthia Bautista, Senior Librarian, Youth & Family Services, Long Beach Public Library; REFORMA Los Angeles Chapter President
- Maria F. Estrella, Public Services Branch Manager, Garden Valley & Woodland Branches, Cleveland Public Library
- Alma Ramos-McDermott, MS, MLS; 4th-grade teacher, Avalon Elementary, Naples, Florida; REFORMA National Secretary
We thank everyone who applied for our Día Mini-Grant Program. We received 13 eligible submissions.
REFORMA is committed to supporting programming for Latino and Spanish-speaking communities through our Mini-Grants Programs. If you'd like to support future Mini-Grants, consider making a donation to REFORMA at reforma.org/donate.
¡Felicidades a los ganadores!
2022 Día Mini-Grants Winners
Each organization will receive $300 to support a virtual or in-person Día program that celebrates Latino culture.
- Albany Public Library / LaRee Dominguez - Albany, OR
- Chicago Heights Public Library / Joelle Wake - Chicago Heights, IL
- Roseland Regional Library, Sonoma County Library / Monica Samantha Hernandez - Santa Rosa, CA
- Takoma Park Maryland Library / Verónica Rivera-Negrón - Takoma Park, MD
- REFORMA de Nuevo Mexico / Flo Trujillo - Las Cruces, MX
REFORMA thanks the 2022 Día Mini-Grants Selection Committee:
- Anna Avalos, Senior Librarian, Multilingual Collections, Los Angeles Public Library
- Maria F. Estrella, Chair of REFORMA’s Children’s and Young Adult Services Committee (CAYASC), Cleveland Public Library
- Ann Crewdson, Children’s Specialist, King County Library System, Issaquah/Riverview Region
- Vitalina Nova, Education Librarian, Charles Library, Temple University
We thank everyone who applied for our Día Mini-Grant Program. We received 23 eligible submissions.
REFORMA is committed to supporting programming for Latino and Spanish-speaking communities through our Mini-Grants Programs. If you'd like to support future Mini-Grants, consider making a donation to REFORMA at reforma.org/donate.
¡Felicidades a los ganadores!
2021 Día Mini-Grants Winners
We’re excited to announce the winners of the 2021 REFORMA Día Mini-Grants. The winners were selected based on the creativity of the program, level of community involvement, and impact of the project as it best highlights Latinx authors, performers, and culture.
- Tulare Public Library / Carol Lovos - Tulare, CA
- Boston Public Library / Sujei Lugo - Jamaica Plain, MA
- Gail Borden Public Library District & School District U-46 / Tina Birkholz - Elgin, IL
- San Diego Public Library / Itza Vilaboy - San Diego, CA
- REFORMA Washington Chapter, King County Library System, Seattle Public Library, Sno-Isle Libraries / Beatriz Pascual Wallace - Greater Seattle Area, WA
Each library will receive $300 to support a virtual or in-person Día program that celebrates Latino culture.
REFORMA thanks the 2021 Día Mini-Grants Selection Committee:
- Maria F. Estrella, Chair of REFORMA’s Children’s and Young Adult Services Committee (CAYASC), Cleveland Public Library
- Cristina E. Mitra, Family Engagement Coordinator, San Francisco Public Library
- Karina Huerta, Youth Services Librarian, Department of Library and Recreation Services, City of Sunnyvale
- Angelica Candelaria, Youth Services Manager, Caroline County Public Library
- Maria Xochitl Peterson, Unit Manager, Thomas Hughes Children's Library, Chicago Public Library
- Diane Olivo-Posner, Principal Librarian, Exploration & Creativity, Los Angeles Public Library
- Jessica Agudelo, Supervising Librarian, Children's Services, The New York Public Library
The Mini-Grants Program coordinator is Madeline Peña, Digital Content Manager, Los Angeles Public Library, REFORMA President 2018-19, Technology Committee Co-Chair.
We thank everyone who applied for our Día Mini-Grant Program. We received 15 eligible submissions.
REFORMA is committed to supporting programming for Latino and Spanish-speaking communities through our Mini-Grants Programs. If you'd like to support future Mini-Grants, consider making a donation to REFORMA at reforma.org/donate.
¡Felicidades a los ganadores!
2020 Día Mini-Grants Winners
REFORMA is committed to continuing supporting programing to Latinos and Spanish speakers in our communities - virtual and in-person. The time to review the applications and select the winners of our 2020 Día Mini-Grants Program came around the time the COVID-19 pandemic was developing, which prompted us to adjust the program timeline and guidelines. The winners were selected based on the creativity, level of community involvement, and showcase of Latinx literature and culture, as presented in their original submission.
We’re excited to announce the winners of the 2020 REFORMA Día Mini-Grants:
- OC Public Libraries, La Habra Branch / David Lopez - Orange County, CA
- Council Bluffs Public Library / Yvonne Rodriguez - Council Bluffs, IA
- Hayward Public Library / Xenia Lal - Hayward, CA
- Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Public Library / Gina Maria Rosabal - Sarasota, FL
- Chesapeake Public Library, Greenbrier Branch / Jeri Ramos Morton - Chesapeake, VA
Each library will receive $300 to support a virtual or in-person program in the spirit of Día. The program must take place by December 31, 2020.
REFORMA thanks the Día Mini-Grants Selection Committee:
- Alda Allina Migoni, REFORMA At-Large Representative
- Ana Campos, REFORMA Secretary
- Kenny Garcia, REFORMA President
- Maria F. Estrella, Chair of REFORMA’s Children’s and Young Adult Services Committee (CAYASC)
- Nicanor Diaz, REFORMA Chapter Representative
- Oscar Baeza, REFORMA Vice-President/President-Elect
Madeline Peña, REFORMA Immediate Past-President, served as project coordinator.
We thank everyone who applied for our Día Mini-Grant Program. We received 12 eligible submissions. If you'd like to support future Día Mini-Grants, consider making a donation to REFORMA at reforma.org/donate.
¡Felicidades a los ganadores!
2019 Día Mini-Grants Winners
Bilingual Language and Literacy Academy Library / Rosa Díaz - Rochester, NYEl día de los niños/libros: A Reading Celebration
The students of our Bilingual Academy arrived in Rochester after the devastating hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. We built a library in our academy to foster a love of reading in our students and help them become proficient in the English language. The students love visiting our school library and enjoy story times. Our goal with this program is to create a Día children's celebration that will continue to encourage our students to read. Our celebration of the joys of reading will focus on children's books that celebrate Hispanic culture. We will feature Spanish-speaking storytellers reading to each visiting class. In addition to the storytellers, we will have face painting, arts & crafts, and live Latino music. We will finish with refreshments.
Des Moines Public Library - East Side Branch / Marlu Abarca - Des Moines, IA
Bilingual Storytime/Cuentos y canciones bilingües
Bilingual Storytime has become a staple of children's programming for the Des Moines Public Library. We would like to create a special experience for all the children and families that attend our Cuentos y canciones bilingües (Bilingual Storytime) by expanding the program from just a weekly storytime to a culturally relevant celebration! The families in Des Moines need events where their children can embrace their roots and celebrate bilingualism, especially during a time where our community has seen an increase in bullying in schools, ICE raids, and hate speech around town.
San Diego County Library - Casa de Oro Branch / Blanca Ginsberg - Spring Valley, CA
Together With Día
The Casa de Oro library will be hosting our Día de los niños/Día de los libros celebration on Thursday, April 11. Activities will include a family storytime hosted by Mara Price, author of Grandma’s Chocolate: El chocolate de Abuela, in which she will introduce the Mayan culture, its language, their rich traditions and the many uses of the cacao tree referenced in her story. The author will bring cacao pod samples, tools used in the preparation of making chocolate, and even chocolate samples for families to taste. After the author visit, a ballet folklorico performance celebrating the traditional dance styles and history from various regions of Mexico will be performed by Casa de Oro Elementary School’s Folklorico Club. After the performance, free books will be given to all the children in attendance.
Broward County Library - Lauderdale Lakes Branch / Freda Mosquera - Lauderdale Lakes, FL
Earth Day/Día Celebration
The Lauderdale Lakes Library is located in a mainly Caribbean American community. This year we'll celebrate Día in conjunction with Earth Day. A bilingual storyteller will share stories about the Earth and each child will be able to plant an herb commonly used in Latin and Caribbean cuisine. This activity will be conducted by a master gardener and children will learn about the importance of taking care of the planet. Then, they will enjoy a dish from the Latin Caribbean cuisine to experience the aromas and tastes of the herbs. Children will learn about healthy eating habits and will make cultural connections as they share common dishes in the Caribbean. The program will end with a book give away featuring Latino authors.
Newark Public Library - Branch Brook Branch / Isabel Castro - Newark, NJ
Pura Belpré Project
The community in which the library is located is mostly Latino, with many members from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Our branch would like to celebrate Día with a presentation of The Pura Belpré Project. The Pura Belpré project is a re-enactment of Pura Belpré's bilingual story hour. It is presented by an actor from Teatro Sea, a Latino theater company that presents for young audiences. It is an interactive experience that combines storytelling with puppets. Before the start of the show, the children's librarian will read selections from Planting Stories by Anika Aldamuy Denise, then families will see the story come to life!
Each library will receive $300 to support their wonderful Día programs!
REFORMA thanks the Día Mini-Grants Selection Committee:
- Alma Ramos-McDermott, Media Specialist, Lake Trafford Elementary School, Immokalee, Florida
- Ana-Elba Pavon, Branch Manager, Oakland Public Library - Elmhurst Branch
- Madeline Peña, REFORMA President, Los Angeles Public Library
- Maria F. Estrella, Chair of REFORMA’s Children’s and Young Adult Services Committee (CAYASC), Cleveland Public Library
- Sujei Lugo, Children's Librarian, Boston Public Library - Connolly Branch
¡Felicidades a los ganadores!