WGN-TV will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by offering special programming of interest to the Hispanic community, sponsored by Fifth Third Bank.  News stories will appear on WGN Morning News, WGN Midday News and WGN News at Nine.

WGN-TV kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month with a report on The Saints of Humboldt Park, a non-profit organization that is ready to aide ex-offenders before and after their release and re-entrance into the community.  WGN News’ Julian Crews will provide information on this multi-faceted agency on September 16.  Saints of Humboldt Park also looks after at-risk youth through their youth center and many activities along with mentoring programs.

On September 20, WGN News’ Ana Belaval will introduce you to a great Mexican Folkloric dance group called Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl. This unique dance troupe is not only keeping kids off the streets but is also making them ambassadors of their culture. 

Meet a true hero on September 28 as Ana Belaval presents a story of hope, determination and perseverance.   Nineteen-year-old Zoe Damacela Apparel grew up in a low-income family with her mom and, at points in her life, in homeless shelters.  Her passion for fashion and desire to improve her life style was stronger than her circumstances.  At age 14 she started her own clothing business.  She sold her first dress for $13.  Now, her designs sell for as much as $2,000 and she donates some of her clothing to homeless shelters and charity fashion shows.

Another great way music and the arts are used in the community is through The Luna Blues Machine. The Luna Blues Machine is a Latina musical duo made up of sisters Maritza and Belinda who teach music to Chicago youth while also writing all of their own music.  On September 30, WGN News’ Lourdes Duarte reports on how the two work together to combine acoustic hip-hop with soul, folk, Latin and any other genre that moves them.

WGN News’ Dan Ponce will report on the Hernandez Middle School Mural Club on October 4. This club consists of 12 7th and 8th grade students, who come together to use their creativity to produce fantastic murals. Their teacher is always available to help  but 100% of the work is done by these talented middle school students.

To close out WGN-TV’s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Lourdes Duarte will report on October 12 about Quinceaneras, the celebration of a girl’s fifteenth birthday which marks the transition from being a child to becoming a young woman. This celebration is often compared to Bar Mitzvah or a Sweet 16.

“Adelante Chicago,” WGN-TV’s bi-weekly public affairs program hosted by Lourdes Duarte, Saturday mornings at 5:30 AM CT, will pay tribute to the Latino culture with a special show each week as well.

WGN-TV will also run community calendar announcements highlighting Hispanic Heritage Month events happening around the Chicago area throughout the months of September and October.