Fiesta of Hope 2026: An Evening to Remember
On a warm June evening, 280 people gathered at Wingspan Event & Conference Center in Hillsboro to celebrate Latine leaders and the work Adelante Mujeres is doing to meet the needs of immigrant families and bring hope to our community.
The evening began with a lively reception featuring Josefina del Norte. Harp, percussion, and vocals filled the room with the rich sounds of Colombian and Bolivian music. Guests also admired a beautifully handcrafted two-person canoe built from locally sourced native wood by artisan Steve Carrigg. Steve generously donated the traditional Irish boat to Adelante Mujeres, where it became one of the highlights of our live auction. You can learn more about Steve's craftsmanship and the canoe-building process by watching his story here.
Mayor Beach Pace poses with Co-Founder and Executive Director Bridget Cooke and Steve Carrigg in front of the handcrafted canoe Steve constructed.
As guests settled in for dinner, Co-Founder and Executive Director Bridget Cooke opened the program with a powerful reflection on the challenges many immigrant families continue to face. She spoke about the emotional and economic impacts of current immigration policies while sharing an inspiring vision for Adelante Mujeres' future: launching a Farm Incubator Project that will expand opportunities for aspiring Latine farmers through access to land, business development training, and regenerative agriculture.
One of the evening's most moving moments came when a video of Álvaro, a participant in our Regenerative Agriculture Program, was shown. Through Adelante Mujeres, he gained the knowledge, confidence, and support to pursue his dream of becoming a farmer and selling his produce at the Forest Grove Farmers Market. His story is a powerful reminder of what becomes possible when our community invests in people's dreams. You can watch Álvaro's story here.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors, sponsors, and community partners, both those in the room and those supporting us from afar, Fiesta of Hope 2026 raised $295,500, the highest total in the event's history. Every dollar raised helps ensure that Latine women and families have access to education, economic opportunity, leadership development, health services, and the support they need to thrive.
The celebration continued with a powerful performance by Gema Nereida, whose unique blend of mariachi and opera captivated the audience. You can hear more of her music here.
Gema Nereida performs at Fiesta of Hope
We were also honored to present the 2026 Latina Leadership Award to Senator Wlnsvey Campos in recognition of her dedication to our community. Although she was unable to attend in person, she shared an inspiring acceptance message through a special video created for the event.
The evening was filled with stories of resilience, poetry, music, and generous bidding and giving. Following a delicious family-style dinner prepared by Vibrant Table, guests celebrated together on the dance floor with DJ Clarissa, ending the night with joy, laughter and a strong sense of community.
We are especially grateful to our Presenting Sponsor, Port of Portland, whose partnership helped make this unforgettable evening possible.
One guest shared this reflection after the event:
“I've come to this event for the last four years (since moving to Oregon from California). As a Latina woman, your event was the first place I felt community and home in my new state. It will always have a special place in my heart, along with the incredible organization. THANK YOU!”
Moments like these remind us that Fiesta of Hope is a celebration of community, belonging, and the collective power we have to create lasting change.
