Adelante Mujeres celebrates 2021 graduates and their outstanding community work from the year
In a joint celebration, staff and graduates from several Adelante Mujeres programs came together to shine a light on the outstanding work that these women have done over the past year. The graduates participated in a variety of Adelante Mujeres initiatives, including:
Oregon Worker Relief Fund Navigators
Promotoras de Salud
Promotores de Inmigración
Environmental Advocates
Drivers Licenses Navigators
The graduates gathered to celebrate Promotores (Community Health Workers) , Navigators, Immigrant Solidarity Advocates and all of the incredible work they did in 2020-2021.
The Promotores’ dedication to get the Latinx community vaccinated manifested as 1,000+ calls to people regarding vaccines and appointments. They attended vaccine events to ensure the people they had communicated with would have a familiar and trusted person to help them through the process. Trusted community advocates are invaluable, especially when recognizing the past trauma some individuals have experienced with government agencies or in the healthcare system.
There were 21 Promotores graduates in the Fall of 2020. Even with pandemic related hurdles, Adelante Mujeres was able to reach community members from 8 different cities in and outside of Washington County. Participants represented 6 countries including Ecuador, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, and the United States.
Through coalition building, Promotores and Navegadoras have been able to advocate for immigrant rights at the county level by having conversations with local officials about the needs and priorities of the immigrant and refugee community. During this past grant year the following legislative bills were prioritized:
Universal Representation
Oregon Sanctuary Promise Act
Farmworker Overtime Pay
Leave No Worker Behind
Oregon Clean Energy Opportunity
Oregon Worker Relief Fund
The incredible work that these Promotores and Navegadoras have done within the past year, during a pandemic, is truly something that deserves recognition and celebration. Many of these participants are returning participants from other programs and many will continue to advocate and serve their community through opportunities like the ones above. They understand the power of community involvement and the need for trusted individuals who can relate to the people they are trying to reach. Congratulations to all of the graduates!
Photos from the graduate celebration:
