OPINION

Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 marks Hispanic Heritage Month, and much like other months and days designated as special moments of recognition, the label isn't what will make this month special — what will is our ongoing commitment to our community.

I have the privilege to work with an amazing group of colleagues, volunteers, and organizers who help members of my community, and others, to create the healthiest generation ever — a generation who will have the knowledge and right to access the health care they need, advocate for that opportunity for others, and stand strong against politicians who would weaken those options.

The health of our community stands at an important tipping point. We are seeing record low teen pregnancy and birth rates; over 400,000 Latinos have already enrolled in health insurance thanks to Obamacare, many for the first time ever and others for the first time in many years. Obamacare has been a game-changer for Latinos, who often experience higher rates of preventable and sexually transmitted diseases as compared with non-Latino white Americans. Now we have access to preventive care and vital screenings, to find out if abuela's aches and pains are really just the weather or if they're something serious. As mothers, we don't have to put ourselves last for medical care because of costs — we can access free screenings and if we've decided our family is big enough forever, or for now, we can access no-copay birth control. Obamacare made health care a reality for some of our community, which will ultimately save lives.

This is why it's more important than ever before that we continue our work with communities across the country to ensure that anyone who has questions or needs information can get it in a way that is convenient and accessible. Planned Parenthood Action Fund launched Raíz — Spanish for "root" — a grassroots organizing program that works with the local Latino community and organizations to provide important information and tools to help Latinos make their own choices and advocate for their own health care. One of our Raíz organizers, Diali Avila from Phoenix, explains her work helping Latinos enroll in Obamacare:

"Most of the people in my community speak Spanish, so that's the language I speak. They know I'm part of their community, and they see that I share their struggles. So when I recommend that they enroll for health coverage, they are inclined to trust me and to enroll and they can now protect their health."

During the first enrollment period, we knocked on thousands of doors. In-person assistance was an important resource to help people enroll in health insurance, so we worked with national and grassroots organizations across the country. Because of the work of organizers like Diali, local Planned Parenthood affiliates, in partnership with the national organization, assisted 715,000 Latinos with the information and tools they needed to access the health insurance system. We reached people at home, in schools, in their communities, in health centers, on their phones, and online.

Our Generation Action team is also helping to recruit and train young leaders, including the over 1,000 youth activists trained this summer, with representatives from every state and over 40 percent of participants from communities of color. These powerhouses were not only trained on the ins and outs of organizing from our community partners, but also left with the tools to create real change in their own communities. Our work is far from over, but we are committed to helping improve the lives of Latinos and their families. So as we commemorate how far we've come this month, we have our eyes on the future and all that we can still accomplish together. ¡Pa'lante!

For more information about Planned Parenthood Action Fund, visit plannedparenthoodaction.org. For more information about Planned Parenthood services or to learn more about enrolling in affordable health plans, visit plannedparenthood.org.

Vanessa Gonzalez-Plumhoff is the Director of Latino Leadership and Engagement at the Planned Parenthood Action Fund.