Juan Carlos Linares stood out looking at the crowd of adults and children empowering them to learn more about their rich Hispanic culture and become active in social issues and elections.
“Our Hispanic population can do so much to better the quality of life for ourselves and our children,” said Linares, guest speaker at the annual Thornton Township Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration. “We have a great history and culture, and it’s important for us to take a larger role in the future. And Thornton Township does a great job of community building and offering great programs and services to many people in the south suburbs.”
The event, hosted by Thornton Township Supervisor Frank M. Zuccarelli and the Human Relations Commission, featured authentic food, culture, history, music and dancing at the township, 333 E. 162nd St. in South Holland.
Linares, executive director of the Latin United Community Housing Association, and his wife, Monica Torres-Linares, spoke to the crowd about the importance of social justice, environmental health and affordable houses. His organization LUCHA serves more than 7,000 families each year helping them with housing, financing, legal questions and best practices for neighborhood development.
“I have a passion for the quality of life issues that affect so many people,” said Linares. “This is a time where people are struggling and they need guidance and help from affordable housing to residents who have to deal with the environmental impact of power plants shutting down in their neighborhoods without companies cleaning up. It leaves residents open to poor water quality and pollution.”
The event also featured Mexican Folklore dancers, magicians, the Holy Cross/Immaculate Heart of Mary Marimba Ensemble and a special tribute to Lionel Valencia, a community advocate. Zuccarelli said the event was an opportunity for people to celebrate various cultures and bring people together for a family-friendly program.
“Every year we try to provide a quality Hispanic Heritage event and the community really does seem to embrace the celebration,” said Oscar M. Canales, a member of the Thornton Township Human Relations Commission who served as master of ceremonies for the event. “This year was incredible and I felt we represented so many different Latinos with this event.”
Creating a variety of diverse programs and celebrating cultures has been one of the man initiatives of the Human Relations Commission and Thornton Township.
“We have to celebrate the many cultures we have in this country. We have to appreciate the variety of cultures that make our communities great,” said Zuccarelli. “Thornton Township strives to give our residents a variety of fun and educational program throughout the year.”
Linares, whose father is Guatemalan and mother is from Peru, said he grew up seeing poverty in their countries as well as income inequality in the United States. He wanted to devote his future career to helping others. He chose to speak at the Thornton Township event because he believes information much be spread throughout the county about essential issues not just in Chicago.
“Cook County is the second largest county in the United States and we often don’t focus on the areas that are outside of the city,” said Linares, who is also chairman of the Illinois Advisory Committee on the U.S. on Civil Rights. “That is why it’s important for these kinds of events to happen in the south suburbs and other surrounding municipalities.”
Thornton Township is the largest township in Illinois and is made up of all or part of 17 south suburban communities. 
Hispanic Heritage event at Thornton Township