2023 a Year in Review

It is that time of the year for chocolate caliente and pan dulce. As we approach the end of the year, we at Adelante Mujeres have much to be grateful (agradecidos) for and celebrate.

We were excited to have our staff and families actively participating in the legislation process in Salem advocating for equity in education. Our efforts paid off in substantial wins such as the early literacy initiative, which is the HB3454 Bill. Having parents’ and providers' voices in the drafting and passing of initiatives is essential and we at Adelante provide those spaces to uplift their voices.

Our amazing staff continues to grow and learn alongside the babies, toddlers, preschoolers, youth, and adults we are working with and serving. We had two of our Early Childhood Education Teachers graduate with their AA and many more are accomplishing that goal in the upcoming year. Hooray for our teachers who model the love for learning!

Our commitment to grassroots leadership guided us to start an English learning class in the evenings at our building in Forest Grove. This is in response to the high need for this service in our community and we are thrilled to see participants starting to have conversations in English.

The trust of our community in our educational programs is the motivation to keep doing our best and the commitment of our participants to learning and growing is the inspiration that guides our work.

¡Mil gracias por el apoyo y confianza! We couldn’t do it without your Support. I hope you have a 2024 full of memorable moments and achievements.

 Patricia Alvarado

Director of Education Programs at Adelante Mujeres

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION YEAR IN REVIEW

Letter from our Early childhood education team:

As we come to the end of this remarkable year, we would like to take a moment to reflect on the achievements and the shared commitment to fostering a vibrant learning community.

This year, our dedication to bilingual and bicultural education has flourished. We celebrated the graduation of our first teachers from the Spanish AA program, which is a testament to our belief in providing a diverse and inclusive environment for all learners. Our focus on play-based education has allowed our children to thrive, embracing creativity and exploration in their developmental journey.

In addition to these accomplishments, we hosted family engagement events that strengthened the bond between home and school. The community children's farmers' market not only provided a delightful experience but also highlighted our commitment to holistic learning.

Our educators showcased their expertise at national conferences, contributing to the wider dialogue on early childhood education. Through these platforms, we aimed to share our experiences and learnings in bilingual education, reinforcing our commitment to excellence.

We want to express our gratitude to the children and families who make our community vibrant and diverse. Our collective hope is for peace and love to envelop children all over the world, creating a nurturing environment for their growth. We would also like to thank our partners at OCDC, Hillsboro School District, and NRESD for building strong partnerships with us. Your commitment to multicultural and inclusive education empowers our community.

Together, we work towards a shared vision of creating positive impacts that extend beyond the classroom, ensuring that every child and family receives the support they need to flourish. Finally, we want to say muchas gracias to all our community members, organizations, and leaders who advocate for Early Childhood.

2023 CHICAS YEAR IN REVIEW

Chicas After School Sessions program has been making a significant difference in the lives of young chicas by providing them with bilingual after-school sessions on various themes like leadership, culture, STEM, and college and career readiness. The program has been a great success, having served 758 participants and delivering 631 sessions in the 2022-2023 program year. The good news is that the program is all set to continue its great work with over 700 participants already enrolled for the new 2023-2024 program year. With the help of their amazing Youth Advocates, Chicas is continuing the charge on recruitment in schools, and the numbers are still rising. The program is committed to providing original quality content and making a positive impact on the lives of young girls by helping them develop skills and build their confidence.

Experiencia Ecológica

Over the last winter and spring, Chicas collaborated with partners and other community organizations to organize a series of outdoor excursions for our participants and their families. They went hiking in Silver Falls, fishing at Hagg Lake, and snowshoeing at Mt. Hood, which was a new and exciting experience for many of them. Our chicas had a great time during these excursions, as they got the opportunity to bond with nature and their facilitators, as well as spend time connecting with each other. We're excited to organize more excursions in the coming year so that our chicas and their families can continue to enjoy and learn from these experiences.

College and Career  

BH Session 

This year we have the opportunity to offer a new session specifically for high school juniors and seniors - the Chicas Career Session focused on behavioral and social health. We are currently serving students in Forest Grove High School and Hillsboro High School. Our aim is to expose our chicas to various career pathways within the behavioral and social health sector and provide them with a deeper understanding of the field's dynamics. We will cover topics like public health, the COVID-19 pandemic, preventive care, and how to pay for college. We also have field trip opportunities with OHSU School of Nursing, Kiaser Permanente, and the Esperanza Clinic! We are committed to encouraging and supporting those chicas who aspire to pursue careers in behavioral health. 

OBA

This summer, Chicas had the amazing opportunity to participate in the Oregon Business Week summer camp. During their time there they got to learn about the fundamentals of building and running a business, spend a week with some of Oregon’s top executives, and explore career fields to open doors to their future! Chicas expressed their professional and personal growth throughout the week and applied their knowledge in various aspects of their life even after the camp! Chicas got to network with other students and grow their community! 

Interns in session 

This year marks the ongoing success of our Chicas in College internship, and we are thrilled to extend a warm welcome to our second cohort of interns! Meet Claudia, a Social Work major from PSU; A’ishah, pursuing Political Science at PSU; and Janeth, dedicated to Nursing at PCC. These accomplished individuals have all been active participants in the Chicas Program since their elementary and middle school days.  

In a unique twist, our interns will not only contribute to the Chicas in College program but will also play a crucial role in supporting three afterschool sessions. This hands-on experience is designed to equip them with valuable professional skills that can be directly applied to their future careers in working with youth and the community. We are excited to witness their growth and the positive impact they will undoubtedly make in their chosen fields. 

2023 ADULT EDUCATION REVIEW

Adult Education has extended its services to include technology and computer science teaching for the first time. In partnership with UNIDOS US, they are now offering the DS4L-Digital Skill for Life program. The program has already had its first class with 25 graduates who are now equipped with the necessary skills to move on to the intermediate level of computer learning. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals to enhance their technology skills and keep up with the latest advancements. With the ever-increasing importance of technology in today's world, this program is a step in the right direction toward ensuring that everyone has access to the resources they need to succeed in the digital age.

Two students have obtained their GED diploma, and three more students have recently passed the state social studies exam in preparation for their GED. Regarding teaching English as a second language, CASAS exams (a state-administered test that evaluates the level of English proficiency for Hispanic speakers) were given, and the results were excellent. 70% of our students have achieved a basic level of English proficiency, while the remaining 30% are making progress towards achieving an advanced level of the language.

Our adult education program organized several outdoor activities throughout the year with the support of the Metro, such as beach cleanups, bike rides, and more.

2023 FAMILY ENGAGEMENT REVIEW

The Family Engagement team organized several parent workshops this year, including Abriendo Puertas and Crianza con Cariño. It is noteworthy that 17 parents graduated as a result of their participation in these workshops. The team also hosted two workshops focusing on school safety and cyberbullying, which were attended by 40 families.

On December 5, Family Engagement and our early education department organized a multicultural celebration where families shared how they celebrate holidays in different cultures. The event had 50 participants and saw entire families participating.

2023 ESPERANZA HEALTH & WELLNESS REVIEW

Looking back on 2023, our Esperanza pillar has made remarkable progress towards achieving our goals. Our first-ever Cafe para Padres was organized with great success, and we had six enthusiastic participants joining in. The knitting and crochet workshops organized by our Occupational Therapy department were also a hit, bringing together people from different walks of life to learn new hobbies and engage in fun activities.

We are particularly proud to announce that our mental healthcare initiative, Clinica Esperanza, has started seeing its first patients this December. This marks a significant milestone towards providing much-needed mental healthcare to our underserved Latine communities.

Furthermore, we have established valuable partnerships with Pacific University and Portland State University, providing student internships that will benefit both the students and our organization. These achievements demonstrate our unwavering commitment to improving healthcare access and promoting community engagement, and we look forward to more accomplishments in the years ahead.

Child Nutrition Program

In 2023, we continued to make strides in promoting health and wellness in our community. Our Forest Grove center served as a hub for providing healthy, culturally appropriate meals to 52 children aged 0-5 years old.

In November, we launched a Produce Prescription Pilot program in partnership with CareOregon for our Child Nutrition Program, which has already served 120 individuals, including 30 families. The program focuses on nutrition education and building healthy habits for children while addressing food insecurity. 

Additionally, we hosted our 1st Annual Kids Farmers’ Market in June, which was attended by over 200 community members. These highlights demonstrate our commitment to improving the health and well-being of our community.

Community Health Workers Program (CHW)

Our Community Health Workers Program (CHW) made a significant impact in our community by screening over 950 community members for food insecurity and distributing more than $21,000 worth of food vouchers to those in need during our weekly farmers market.

We partnered with Latino Network and Familias en Acción to state-certify seven CHWs, which is a huge accomplishment and a testament to our commitment to providing quality healthcare to our community. We also added three full-time CHW positions to the Health and Wellness team to expand our services and provide the support our community needs.

Our participation in the Washington Co. Health Literacy Learning Collaborative helped us to improve health literacy among our community members, empowering them to make informed decisions about their health.

We collaborated with other organizations, co-led by AM, successfully supported community members in need, and made a positive impact in our community. Furthermore, we created the first-ever CHW collaborative program in Spanish, with 11 different Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) participating, demonstrating our commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.

We provided valuable COVID-19-related information to over 37,957 community members and supported them with testing, vaccines, and other wraparound services, helping to keep our community healthy during a challenging time. Additionally, we provided rent and utility assistance to 66 and 32 community members, respectively, addressing basic needs and supporting our community's well-being.

An impressive 87.5% of participants in our health and wellness programs received assistance from a CHW, underscoring the value and impact of this program in our community.

Produce Rx Program

Our program served 197 individuals across 40 families, providing them with much-needed financial support. - Each family received $40 per family member in their household, which was made available to them on a debit card.

We are proud to have established a growing partnership with Virginia Garcia, which has allowed us to expand our reach and impact.

The results of our program on its participants have been truly remarkable. For example, 30% of our participants were able to reduce the number of medications they were taking. Additionally, 33% experienced a decrease in their cholesterol levels, and 36% were able to better manage their diabetes. We are thrilled to have played a role in improving their health and wellbeing. - Finally, we are proud to report that 70% of our participants or a family member of theirs were able to lose weight while being in our program. This is a testament to the effectiveness of our approach and the dedication of our participants.

2023 MICROENTERPRISE REVIEW

Agriculture & Food Sovereignty Program:

43 individuals graduated from Adelante’s 12-Week Regenerative Agriculture courses in 2023.

Key Farm Specialty Workshops presented were Beekeeping, Mushroom Cultivation, Soil Inhabitants, Seedbed Germination, and Celebrating Abundance: from Grain to Pan Dulce, to name a few.

On July 29, 2023, Adelante Mujeres participated in the “Día del Agricultor Latino (DAL) 2023.” This was held with our partners in Eugene, Oregon: Huerta de la Familia. Our third annual DAL was a full day of workshops packed with information about Sustainable Farming, all taught in Spanish. It was a full day workshop filled event, where over ninety participants learned about Beekeeping, Pest Management, Soil Management, Tomato and Pepper Sauce Production, Regenerative Agriculture and more.

Empresas Program:

The Small Business Development Program offered ten monthly workshops throughout the year, including a collaboration with MESO. The program saw 52 graduates from its business course, and three businesses were created, namely Kuhu, Sisters Creations, and Maria Crafts. Additionally, the program saw 23 Cocinemos graduates, and nine businesses were created.

These businesses include Soss Beakery, El Goloso PDX LLC, Artisan Kitchen LLC, AB&M Catering and Sauces LLC, Tacos el Compa LLC, Baja Tacos LLC, Fit Food 4 You LLC, Veronica's Antojitos Chapines LLC, and Artisanal Bakery LLC. In total, the program has helped 12 businesses to register, and 11 participants used the commercial kitchen at FG. Ten participants secured or received $50,000, seven participants secured $35,000 through IDA, and three participants received $15,000 through IDA and Kiva Zip.

Casa Qui's incubator program celebrated its third anniversary on November 11 by launching three new vendors - Sisters Creations, Kuhu, and Reyes Family Produce.

The program has been hosting major events in the city and county, such as Connect!, FGCChamber Rise & Shine, and Wine Walk.

FARMERS MARKET:

LETTER FROM THE MARKET MANAGER:

 Dear friends, vendors, partners, and supporters of the market,

Thank you for an incredible season at the Adelante Farmers Markets in 2023. Farmers markets don’t just happen without our vendors, shoppers, volunteers, funders, and staff!

There are so many season highlights to share - like our chef-led food demonstrations, Día de los Muertos celebrations, bringing back the Market Sprouts Kids Club, or doubling SNAP benefits - and we will share all the fun facts in this report. However, one of my personal highlights in my third season with the Forest Grove and Cornelius Farmers Markets is my evening walk through the market.

Families and friends share stories over pupusas for dinner served on reusable plates. Wagons tow kids with strawberries, kale, bread, flowers, and pie, their faces covered with elote and tajín. Vendors are busy with customers and catching up with old friends. There’s some issue with the bathrooms or technology, but we resolve it quickly. The market staff walkie-talkie each other to make sure we’re taking our breaks. Gunnar hands me an Ethiopian coffee sample and Pablo passes me a chocolate churro on my way back to the information booth.

While not every day is perfectly smooth, the best part about our markets is the community that is built and celebrated around local food and small businesses. We are continuously learning and adapting, facing challenges like extreme heat and high prices. Farmers markets are essential, and we are looking ahead to another season of supporting small businesses, increasing access to fresh produce, and bringing the community together. We’re so grateful for each and every one of you!

All the best,

Sage Fairman - Market Access Manager

Click through our 2023 Farmers Market Year In Review - available in English and Spanish - by clicking the left and right arrows on the slideshows below.

Español:

2023 Leadership & Advocacy review

We successfully participated in four significant projects, including the TV Highway Equity Coalitions, TV Hwy Steering Committee, Energy Trust Paneles Solares, and Tualatin River Keeper, which helped us make a positive impact in the community.

We supported several legislative bills in 2023, including the Food for All Oregonians bill, which unfortunately did not pass. However, we remain committed to supporting it in 2025 and any mobilizing efforts in 2024.

Other legislative bills that we supported these year:

• SB612 & SB911 – Indigenous Language Justice - Passed! 

• HB2990 - Climate Resilience Hub - Passed! 

• SB799, SB611, HB2733, LC3477, LC1062 – Stable Homes for Oregon Families - Passed! 

In addition to our advocacy work, we held our 2nd Summer Picnic for all participants who have taken training in the L&A department. The event was a huge success and brought our community together.

WASHINGTON COUNTY CIVIC LEADERS PROGRAM 

20 Civic Leaders graduated during the summer cohort! This was the first cohort to be all in Spanish and majority Latina women! 

LEADERSHIP & ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE PROGRAM

After 12 weeks, on May 24, 2023, the first cohort of Environmental Justice in Spanish graduated from Adelante Mujeres along with Metro, with 15 participants attending the ceremony with their families. In August, 6 participants were selected for the second Environmental Justice committee, joining the graduates from the first cohort.

On June 27, the first Free Store event was held in collaboration with Finders Keepers, where the community donated clothing and school supplies for back-to-school season, with supplies donated by the University of the Pacific.

On October 21, the second Free Store event was held in collaboration with Finders Keepers, where a lot of winter clothing was collected for families in the community.

On December 13, the year was closed out with a winter celebration for the Environmental Justice Committee. Throughout the year 2023, the Environmental Justice participants were actively involved in volunteering for various activities, including: providing information on waste and recycling at our farmers markets, participating in meetings to plan better environmental measures in the community, advocating for park creation and improvement in their neighborhoods, testifying and attending the Capitol to advocate for the Resilience Centers Law HB2990, and planning and participating in the Free Store events.

IMMIGRANT SOLIDARITY PROGRAM

In 2023, we achieved various milestones in our mission to empower and support immigrants. We conducted the successful Know Your Rights Trainers for Trainers workshop where 14 individuals graduated. We also carried out the Heart at Homes Campaign in partnership with We Value Our Families and the IMA Grassroots Migrant Forum of Grassroots Immigrants. Additionally, we conducted three Migration Capsules in collaboration with the Advisory Committee, which were well received by the community.

OREGON WORKER RELIEF FUND

Adelante Mujeres has been an integral part of a collaborative effort to create the Oregon Worker Relief Fund. This community-based system provides temporary financial support, similar to the Home Fund, to support Oregonians facing housing instability and provide timely financial stability.

In addition to this, the Climate Change Fund has supported Oregonian agricultural workers who have lost work or wages due to extreme heat or smoke, while the Health Care Interpreter Fund has helped interpreters who have experienced financial hardship during the pandemic.

For the year 2023, Adelante Mujeres has contributed to the following navigations: Home Fund with 972 navigations, Climate Change with 511 navigations, HCI with 201 navigations, and OWR with 121 navigations.