Award-Winning Children's Book Author
Author of 40+ children's books on emotional literacy, kindness and confidence.
Stories that help children feel safe, valued, confident, and deeply loved, no matter who they are or where they come from, while encouraging them to embrace who they are and show kindness in a changing world.
✨Trusted by families, educators, and therapists worldwide.
Heritage and Heart Day
is observed on October 15.
It is a reminder to stay connected to where we come from and to carry that with us in the way we live, love, and treat others. Our roots shape us, and honoring them helps us better understand ourselves and one another.
It is also observed at the close of both Hispanic Heritage Month and Filipino American History Month, serving as a moment to reflect, not just on individual cultures, but on the beauty of all cultures coming together.
✨What this day stands for:
Heritage is more than where we are from. It is the stories we carry, the traditions we remember, and the values passed down through generations.
This day is about embracing every ethnicity and nationality, and recognizing that our differences are not something that divide us, but something that connect us in deeper and more meaningful ways.
✨What it looks like:
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Spending time with family and listening to their stories
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Sharing your culture with someone else
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Learning about someone else’s background with curiosity and respect
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Taking pride in where you come from
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Creating space for others to feel seen and accepted
✨Why it matters now:
In a world that is constantly changing, it is easy to lose touch with who we are and where we come from. This day is a reminder to hold on to that, while also making room for others to do the same.
It is about fostering kindness, love, and acceptance, not just for those who share our background, but for everyone.
Heritage and Heart Day
Heritage and heart are not just about where we come from, but how we learn to understand, respect, and care for one another.
This toolkit was created to help you explore identity, culture, and connection in simple and meaningful ways. Whether at home, in the classroom, or in your community, these ideas are designed to encourage pride in who you are while fostering kindness and appreciation for others.
Download the toolkit below and begin the journey.
To support different age groups and learning environments, additional toolkits have been created and thoughtfully grouped by grade level and setting.
These include:
• TK–Grade 2
• Grades 3–5
• Grades 6–8
• High School
• Workplace and Community
You can find and download each version below.
Looking for more ways to bring kindness into everyday life?
You can also explore National Intentional Kindness Day and its resources to continue building meaningful habits of kindness at home, in schools, and in your community.
✨A message from Mona Liza Santos:
This day was created as a reminder that who we are and where we come from matters. When we take the time to honor that in ourselves and in others, we create a space where everyone feels they belong.
Stay rooted in who you are.