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ICYMI: The LIBRE Initiative Brings Jacksonville’s Growing Latino Community Together for Hispanic Heritage Month Capitol Connect
October 16, 2026
JACKSONVILLE, FL. – This week, The LIBRE Initiative hosted a Capitol Connect event in Jacksonville, Florida, in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. The event brought together more than 75 community members and elected leaders, with Americans for Prosperity (AFP) and Concerned Veterans for America (CVA) also in attendance, to recognize the contributions of Hispanic Americans and highlight the importance of engaging Jacksonville’s growing Latino community in conversations shaping the city’s future.
Following the opening of its Jacksonville office last year, The LIBRE Initiative continues to expand its commitment to serving the Jacksonville area, building relationships with local communities and creating opportunities for residents to engage with elected officials on the issues that matter most to them.
Congressman John Rutherford joined the event, where Sandra Benítez, Executive Director of The LIBRE Initiative, delivered welcome remarks before co-hosting a fireside chat with the congressman. The conversation provided an opportunity for community members to engage with their elected representative and discuss issues affecting Latino families, the importance of civic participation, and the role of the Hispanic community in Jacksonville’s continued growth.
Congressman John Rutherford, issued the following statement:
“It was great event tonight. We had the Americans for Prosperity group that hosted LIBRE Initiative and the Hispanic Heritage Month. And so it was just a wonderful get-together with our Hispanic community and others to talk about what’s really important to the constituents here in Northeast Florida, especially the economy and the cost of living.”
Sandra Benítez, Executive Director of The LIBRE Initiative, issued the following statement:
“As Jacksonville’s Latino community continues to grow, it is increasingly important that Hispanic families have opportunities to engage with their elected officials and make their voices heard. Capitol Connect creates space for meaningful conversations between community members and policymakers, helping strengthen civic engagement and ensure the priorities and perspectives of Latino families are part of the conversation. Hispanic Heritage Month is also an opportunity to celebrate the many contributions Latinos make to our communities and our country.”
Through events like Capitol Connect, The LIBRE Initiative continues to build connections between elected officials and Latino communities, encourage civic participation, and promote a future where every American has the opportunity to pursue the American Dream.