Thrilling Rites of Passage – Quinceañera Celebration
Many Latin cultures revere Rites of Passage as powerful experiences that provide self-development and cultural awareness, as well as a sense of belonging. The Quinceañera is a precious hallmark of Latino culture.
A Quinceañera is a young lady’s 15th birthday celebration – a coming of age tradition in many Latin cultures. In addition to signifying a young woman’s transition into adulthood, Quinceañeras provide a precious opportunity for family and friends to come together and make memories. Rites of passage build culture by ensuring adolescents and adults become part of community life – not persons alone, lacking support, sanction, and purpose.
Quinceañera celebrations may be intimate home gatherings with family and friends or formal, black-tie events with an entire community. Be it a backyard BBQ or a bumpin’ dancefloor, the experience fortifies integrity in a young woman by granting her hallmark privileges of adulthood. Comparable to debutante traditions, these hallmark privileges may include greater accountability and responsibilities in the community, later cerfews, make-up, high-heels, and dating.
Most South American Latino families save for the Quinceañera for years. Young Latinas are often given a choice: spend the family savings on the Quinceañera or spend savings on the wedding. Most kids in our shelters would miss out on this precious Rite of Passage because they’ve been surviving as refugees.
But last winter, 130 teenaged youth in our care made unforgettable Quinceañera memories. With the help of ou community partners, La Princesa Reception Hall in Phoenix, Arizona, we were able to facilitate a transformative Rite of Passage that honored the intrinsic value and dignity of our Youth.
“It was an amazing experience to see our youth celebrating, donning their formalwear, and presenting their Quinceañera waltzes! It was a night to remember and truly rewarding contributing to this experience for the kids.” ~ Miguel Avendano, Recreational Director
Even though a Quinceañera is a typical celebration in Latin America, many of the youth in our shelters never expected to experience such an event. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for youth in our care to live in the moment, make precious memories, and celebrate a Rite of passage – a thrilling coming of age.
This special celebration was filled with laughter and dancing. It is our mission that the youth in our shelters feel intrinsically valued, dignified, and nurtured. La Princessa helped us give the Youth a chance to experience precious memories with Southwest Key.
