The 2025 Fiesta of Hope, presented by Trammell Crow Company, was a powerful celebration of community, resilience, and the unstoppable fuerza (strength) of Latine immigrant families. After months of preparation and anticipation, the big night arrived and what a night it was! Nearly 300 people gathered at Castaway in Portland to honor our collective strength, uplift voices that are too often unheard, and raise critical funds to support and empower our Latine community.

We are deeply grateful to every sponsor, guest, donor, and supporter who helped us surpass our fundraising goal. You made this unforgettable night possible. Together, we raised $255,386, setting a new record for this event and sending a bold message: Latine communities are powerful, and we are here to stay.

The energy was electric as we gathered to celebrate our progress despite the challenges of this political moment. During cocktail hour, the courtyard was filled with conversation and laughter as we reconnected with old friends and made new ones. Shortly before dinner, the atmosphere came alive as Mestizos Dance Group, dressed in beautiful traditional attire from Colombia, swept through the space with vibrant music and movement, dancing our guests inside to their tables.

The program began with a land acknowledgement, and then our Executive Director, Bridget Cooke, took the stage. She reminded us that in times when fear and division try to take hold, we can return to what grounds us: hope, courage, and love. Bridget shared the story of a former Adelante participant she met recently at a May Day rally who told her: “Adelante saved my life.” This woman had come to us in a moment of despair. Today, she’s giving back, caring for others in a rehabilitation home and in doing so, she's changing people’s lives and giving back the hope that she found at Adelante.

Bridget ended her speech with a quote that sparked laughter and reflection: “If you think you're too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.” She reminded us that like a mosquito, we can be persistent. We can find within us and share the hope, courage, and love needed to make our country a welcoming place. She closed by leading the audience in a chant in response to her question, “What do we share?” The room resounded with the words, “Hope! Courage! Love!”

Next, Board Member Dr. Alycia Rivera-Tutsch took the stage and shared a personal story of her mother’s journey to citizenship and her own path towards leadership. She also honored the contributions of our hard-working board members.

Mestizos Dance Group returned to the stage with a mesmerizing performance that filled the room with rhythm and color. Their artistry reminded us that dance is a powerful form of cultural resilience, and that joy is contagious.

Our Auctioneer, Eva Zore, introduced two powerful films that highlighted our work. The first, produced by Oregon for All, reminded us that Oregon is home and that our immigrant stories shape its very foundation. Watch Oregon is Home.

The second spotlighted our groundbreaking immigration legal services in Washington County and partnerships with Innovative Law Lab and Equity Corps of Oregon. Adelante Mujeres is now officially accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice to provide critical immigration legal support. This work is a lifeline for many families as our communities face escalating threats. Watch The Freedom to Dream

Thanks to our incredible community, and a generous $25,000 matching gift from Karla and Andrea Arria Devoe at the Mustang Foundation, we surpassed our ambitious $243,000 goal, raising $255,386, to fund our education, advocacy, and empowerment programs that change lives.

To close, we honored Dorotea Lopez with the Latine Leadership Award. A proud Oaxaqueña and fierce advocate for the revitalization of the Mixtec language, Dorotea spoke with passion about cultural preservation and community strength. Her words reminded us of the wisdom in our indigenous roots and challenged us to come together to build a future that includes everyone.

As we reflect on the powerful moments of connection and inspiration during the 2025 Fiesta of Hope, we are filled with gratitude. Together, we are creating the future we wish to see in our community. We will carry the spirit of Fiesta of Hope into our ongoing work with a renewed commitment to fight for justice, education, empowerment and a brighter future.

To everyone who showed up, gave generously, danced with us, and dreamed alongside us: Thank you. Together, we are building a future where Latine women, youth, and families thrive.

¡Adelante, siempre adelante!

Take a look at the photos from Fiesta of Hope 2025 below: