2021 Year in Review
This year proved something that we frequently say here at Adelante Mujeres: we are stronger together. From a relentless pandemic, to racial injustices, to extreme heat waves, 2021 threw challenges at us from every direction. But, together, one step at a time, we’ve faced these challenges head on. Our hearts fill with gratitude as we reflect on everyone who had a hand in supporting Adelante Mujeres this year, allowing us to not only hold steady, but to thrive. You are our heroes and heroines. You’ve given strength to our presence in the community. You’ve touched lives. You’ve helped move the needle towards a more just society for all. Muchas gracias.
Highlights from 2021:
mental health
Our team launched a new Mental Health Program aimed at linking underserved and underinsured people who participate in other Adelante programs with Spanish-speaking mental health providers.
Adult Education
Our Adult Education team served 74 women. We had students who took the program fully virtual, including the new online testing system. The virtual classes allowed us to have excellent student participation and retention.
Early Childhood Education
104 children were served in our Early Childhood Education Program.
Adelante Mujeres is a co-chair of the Washington County Preschool For All Taskforce. We envision high-quality and developmentally appropriate learning environments that are free for all 3 and 4-year-olds in Washington County.
Family Engagement
A Family Engagement Program was developed, which supported 40 parents. Parenting classes, including Nurturing Parenting ABC, were offered virtually and in-person. The Nurturing Parenting for Adolescents classes were highly successful and now have a wait list due to the high demand.
125 families were supported through workshops covering topics including cyber-bullying, leadership, recycling, nutrition and healthy lifestyles, abuse prevention, and more.
The first Adelante workshop for men, “Tension, Fatigue, and Mental Exhaustion”, was facilitated with Dr. Alex Pérez Medina (Ph.D. in psychology).
Youth Development
470 girls were served in our Chicas Youth Development Program through virtual and in-person after-school sessions and summer camps.
49 high school seniors were supported through our Chicas Journey to College Program.
In its second year since its launch, our Chicas in College Initiative supported 39 Latina college students from 8 different colleges, two of which are interning with the initiative.
A Chicas Emergency Grant was created, made possible by generous donors. The grant provided 6 college Chicas participants with funding for tuition, books, housing, meals, and transportation.
Leadership & Advocacy
25 people graduated from the fall Immigrant Solidarity Project training in, and 100% reported feeling prepared to share immigration-related and general resources with the community.
5 community organizers were trained in December. These program alumni will support Adelante’s advocacy priorities by leading action teams.
Adelante participants and staff helped pass 5 legislative bills (Oregon Sanctuary Promise Act, Leave No Worker Behind, Energy Affordability, Health Homes, and 100% Clean Evergy for All).
19 people graduated from the Washington County Civic Leaders training.
Our team conducted 2,064 navigations for the Oregon Worker Relief Fund, Quarantine Fund, and Business Fund. 7 participants helped with this and received professional business opportunities through this initiative.
Our team supported 464 people with completing their Census 2021 form.
9 people (mainly program participants) provided testimonies for the Oregon Re-Districting process.
Small Business Development
15 people graduated from our Cocinemos (Let’s Cook), of which 6 businesses were created (a new record for the program!).
47 people graduated from our Empresas Small Business course.
Our commercial kitchen has been flourishing, especially during the farmers market season. Additionally, a new partnership with Bohemian Kitchen in Beaverson was established to provide kitchen access to participants in that area.
Through the Business Recovery Center, our team provided outreach to 120 small businesses in Washington County, as well as 24 businesses with 1-on-1 technical assistance, and provided access to personal protective equipment to 70 businesses.
Farm Business Development
The Forest Grove Farmers Market and the Cornelius Farmers Market, programs of Adelante Mujeres, had highly successful seasons, despite the pandemic.
Over $60,000 in food vouchers were distributed to almost 2,000 low-income and food insecure shoppers at our two farmers markets.
Our Forest Grove Farmers Market began in 2005 with a handful of vendors. Now, in 2021, it hosts more than 65 vendors and more than 3,000 weekly visitors at its location in the heart of downtown Forest Grove on Main Street in front of Adelante Mujeres’ newly renovated building.
At the markets, 52% of the vendors identified as a Person of Color. At the Cornelius Farmers Market, 13 of the 23 vendors identify as Latinx, reflecting the demographics of the Cornelius community, three of which were graduates of the Adelante Mujeres Regenerative Agriculture Certificate program.
Through our Farm to Pantry Initiative, over 19,000 pounds of produce was collected and donated to food pantries from 11 of our farmers and vendors, serving over 3,700 families.
Health Equity
Throughout the pandemic this year, a cohort of 11 women trained as Promotoras de Salud (Community Health Workers) delivered over 600 hours of community events, workshops, and outreach on COVID-19 related information and education.
Over 2,400 community members were engaged in COVID-19 educational events.
We hosted 24 COVID-19 vaccination events where over 300 people were vaccinated.
35 families participated in our Produce RX course.
Over 25,950 healthy meals were served to children and teachers at the Adelante Mujeres Early Childhood Education Center.