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. Here are a few highlights from the past year at Adelante Mujeres.

Like many first-generation students, Jennifer’s college experience has had its challenges. “Since I was taking some science classes, I felt alone and wondered if I should be there, or if I should change my major to something easier,” says Jennifer.

This past month, across that nation, Latine people were celebrated and praised for their contributions to this nation. Yet, we continue to see the disparities among our community. There is still work to be done.

Adelante Mujeres is committed to making healthy food accessible for the whole community. In the 2021 farmers market season, $52,440 was distributed in Fresh Food Relief Vouchers.

In Mexico, where she is originally from, she studied business. So, when she got a knock at her door offering her a job in housekeeping, it was a change she had to embrace openly. She remembers cleaning wealthy homes on her hands and knees and an overwhelming feeling of “there has to be more to this country”.

“I was trying to figure life out...trying to figure myself out...trying to put everything back together again.” After her marriage ended, Olga was determined to carve out a life that she loved, and building a business was at the forefront of her mind.

We welcomed a couple of extra special guests to our building today. In early September, Washington County became the first county in Oregon to vaccinate 80% of its adults. To celebrate this accomplishment, and to see the grassroots vaccination efforts in action, Governor Kate Brown and Chair of Washington County, Kathryn Harrington, visited Adelante Mujeres during a mobile vaccination event.

Trusted community advocates are invaluable, especially when recognizing the past trauma individuals might have experienced with government agencies or in the healthcare system. Through coalition building Promotores and Navegadoras have been able to advocate for immigrant rights at the County level and health equity at the community level.

When on the topic of female empowerment, Milka wanted to make one thing clear: Women can. “Yes, yes, we can. It’s just a matter of taking that first step and continue moving forward”. She describes Adelante Mujeres as the complete package. “They have the tools to allow people to reach their goals. It’s like, ‘Okay, I feel empowered now, I can reach my goals’”.

When working towards a future where all families are thriving and where all Latinas are empowered to lead and use their voices to cultivate a just and inclusive society, mental health is the foundation on which we build.

The power and impact that inclusive and culturally responsive spaces have on Latina youth is invaluable to their growth. The Chicas Youth Development Program at Adelante Mujeres strives to uncover the potential within each Latina youth participant so that they can be, and achieve, whatever it is they want.

Our graduation celebrations are looking a little different this year due to the pandemic. Our Adult Education team opted for a small, outdoor, socially-distanced and masked gathering. It was a sweet reunion, full of tear-jerking moments as we celebrated the hard work and accomplishments of the women in our Adult Education Program.

Chicas Summer Camps have looked quite different the past two summers due to the pandemic. Last year, while we were able to offer summer camps, they had to be held virtually. However, as our state continues to vaccinate residents as quickly as possible, this year, we are able to offer Chicas Summer Camps in person.

In the Chicas Youth Development Program, there is one underlying theme: You have the right to be here.

When students learn that they deserve to take up space, that their voices matter, and that they are capable of creating the change they want to see, activism is never far behind. As Pride month comes to a close, we highlight ways Latina youth are leading in the LGBTQIA+ movement.

My name is Griselda Hernández García, but I also go by Gray. I am from Mexico. I moved to Oregon back in 2006 at 19 years old with a 2-year-old daughter. I had no family here so it was difficult to start working and learning to drive. At that time, I wanted to return to school but felt like it was impossible since I had to work to support both my little girl and I.

At Ft. Bliss, a U.S. border detention center in El Paso, migrant children have been living in alarming conditions - where disease is rampant, food can be dangerous, and there are reports of sexual abuse, an investigation by the BBC has found.

Adelante Mujeres joins forces with other agencies to support the national “Free Them All” campaign to advocate for people who are unjustly detained.

In Oregon, almost 90% of agriculture workers are Latinx but only about 4% of farm business owners are Latinx. Daniela Perez talks about how the Adelante Mujeres farmers markets are working to solve this.

Peter Eickhardt from Great.com interviewed Bridget Cooke, Adelante Mujeres Executive Director & Co-founder, as part of their 'Great.com Talks With...' podcast.