President John F. Kennedy once said, “Children are the world’s most valuable resource and its best hope for the future.”
For over 100 years, Mexican culture has designated the last day of April as a special occasion throughout the country to celebrate the world’s most valuable resource. El Día del Niño, also known as Children’s Day, has grown beyond Mexican borders to become a celebration among Mexicans in other countries as well.
“Dia del Niño is celebrated across Latin America as a heartfelt tribute to the spirit, creativity, and potential of children,” Yolanda Serra, Comerica Bank Vice President-Small Business Group Manager and Michigan Impact Team Co-chair, shared. “This special day highlights the importance of nurturing young minds and recognizes the invaluable contributions that children make to our community. It serves as a vibrant reminder of the joy and wonder the children bring into our lives.”
In Detroit, numerous organizations, parks, and schools held special events. Comerica Bank was proud to host a vibrant celebration of creativity, culture, and basic financial principles in honor of Dia del Niño. This joyous event, held in collaboration with the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) and Latino Press, welcomed over 100 children from Harms Elementary School, located in Southwest Detroit.
“Dia del Niño is a wonderful way to celebrate the joy, innocence, and creativity of children,” said Anna Guerra, Comerica Bank Assistance Vice President-Corporate Quality Complaints and Michigan Hispanic Impact Team Co-Chair. “It’s about honoring the importance of childhood. Its’ a chance to share kindness, laughter, and learning, reminding children that they are seen, heard, and celebrated. We are very thankful for our Comerica volunteers and the Harms School volunteers who helped our event a success.”
Comerica has celebrated Dia del Niño since 2021, starting with a small toy and book donation drive in Dallas, Texas.
“Now in our 5th year, we’ve impacted more than 7,000 children and their families across our communities through our Día de los Niños celebrations,” notes LaToya Rowell, Comerica Bank Vice President and National Community Affairs Manager.
Rowell adds, “Our Día del Niños initiative provides us with the opportunity to invest in the next generation through a fantastic blend of culture and financial wellness.”
Comerica Bank was recently recognized by the ABA Foundation with an Honorable Mention for Volunteerism in their Community Commitment Awards for Día de los Niños celebrations.
Founded by the American Bankers Association, The ABA Foundation’s mission is to inspire, equip, and empower banks of all sizes to build thriving, resilient, and equitable communities.
“This recognition celebrates our Día del Niños initiative, a collaborative effort between our External Affairs team, Hispanic Business Impact Teams, and Comerica Cares volunteers,” says Serra.
“This marks the third consecutive year we’ve been recognized by the ABA Foundation for our community programs, and we couldn’t be prouder of the impact we’ve been able to make across the communities we serve.”
This is the third consecutive year Comerica has been recognized by the ABA Foundation. Comerica was awarded two ABA Foundation Community Commitment Awards over the past two years.
In 2024, the bank was recognized for its Community and Economic Development efforts after establishing BusinessHQ, a collaborative space that provides integral services and value to small businesses in South Dallas. Comerica BusinessHQ serves business owners and local nonprofits by providing capital, cultivation, and connectivity. From coworking and meeting spaces to technical and business advice, it has become a community hub for small businesses in the area, helping more than 2,400 people and serving over 165 enrolled members since its inception in May 2023.
In 2023, Comerica’s recognition by the ABA Foundation for Volunteerism celebrated the Comerica Cares program. The corporate-wide program encourages full-time employees to participate in eight hours of paid time off and volunteer work and provides four hours of paid time off for part-time employees. During 2022, the program exceeded 66,000 volunteer hours and nearly $2 million in donated time. The program has helped develop stronger relationships between the bank and the community members it serves.
Comerica Bank’s Dia del Niños initiative aimed to introduce these young minds to the world of art, featuring the works of renowned artists like Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo, whose murals are showcased at the Detroit Institute of Arts. The Comerica Bank Michigan Hispanic Business Impact team is led Serra and Guerra, along with a dedicated group of Comerica volunteers, made this enriching event possible.
In addition to visiting the Detroit Institute of Arts, the children participate in various activities, including an introductory financial presentation, piñatas, candy, and a lunch hosted by Comerica Bank, which allows them to connect with their local bank and the DIA.
“Through events like this, Comerica Bank fosters a love for the arts and supports the growth of future generations,” said Serra. “Ultimately, Dia del Niño is a day filled with love, support, and the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive and shine. It emphasizes the collective joy in nurturing the next generation and creating a brighter future for all.”
