We took an evening recently to catch up with 6 of the 7 Promotores — Josefina, Florinda, Maria, Maricela, Martha, and Minerva, our brave and dedicated leaders. Every week until the end of January we will feature one woman, highlighting their dreams, reflections and goals as we welcome a new year and a new decade.
This week we feature Minerva, Nuevo Amanecer Resident, Mother and Promotora!
On being a Promotora:
My favorite part is living together as a community and helping people. I feel useful, I know that what others do can be followed by people. I have learned that things can improve if we join together, provided there is someone who motivates and drives the vision
Mi parte favorita es convivir con la comunidad y ayudar a las personas. Me siento útil, que se que lo que haga los demás pueden seguir las personas. He aprendido que las cosas pueden mejorar si nos unimos, siempre que haya alguien que motive e impulse el vision.
On Becoming an Advocate…
“I am a Promotora to fight for human rights and so that we must all have equality and housing.
Soy Promotora para pelear para los derechos humanos y que todos debemos tener igualdad y vivienda.”
Biggest Challenge in Life…
Being far away from family, alone, without family
Estoy lejos de mi familia, sola, sin familia.
When Looking in the Mirror…
When I look in the mirror, I see that I can do and achieve goals that give me satisfaction
Al mirarme en el espejo, yo veo que puedo hacer y lograr metas que me dan satisfacción
About the Promotores Program
Following the hiring of Promotores Leadership Development Coordinator, Anabel Hernandez-Mejia, the Promotores Program was developed and launched in the Spring of 2019 to increase individual skills, community building, overall understanding of and access to services, and to create a sense of advocacy within the wider community regarding issues that affect our communities of predominantly immigrant, low-income farmworkers and families.
A prerequisite 5-day training with the Ford Family Foundation finalized the recruitment, followed by a 3-day Promotores Initiation Training, leading to 7 Promotores formally entering the Program, all women from 6 of our Woodburn properties, eligible to receive stipends and skill-building opportunities to help them and their neighbors achieve their goals. To date, all Promotores have participated in between 10-20 events each, ranging from trainings in confidence and public speaking, affordable housing, health access, food and nutrition, educational access, and more.
Promotores now meet regularly to discuss their goals and the needs within the community, and frequently take on leadership roles at FHDC and community events to ensure families get their basic needs met. Promotores practice and learn effective communication skills which help them motivate and identify and advocate for the needs within the community.