Thanks to the support of the Zera Foundation and partnership with Adventure Without Limits, youth and families within Youth and Family Services participated in outdoor trips such as snowshoeing at Mount Hood.
Read firsthand about the López Gómez family, active participants of Sembrando Semillitas, and their experience making valuable memories.
by familia López Gómez
_______
It was a Saturday of family fun that gave us the opportunity to appreciate nature. While interacting with others and sharing nature at the same time we were able to interact with other people and share pleasant moments contemplating the snow and enjoying various weather changes at times.
We arrived at the meeting point to get on the bus that took us to the mountain and everything was very organized.
Since everything went in a very organized way, during the trip we were able to talk with other families. With other families, we also felt very comfortable because the organization was in charge of providing us with adequate equipment. The organization took care of providing us with some appropriate clothing for the occasion. When we arrived at the place, we were given the corresponding indications and the necessary equipment for the snow hike.
“On behalf of the López Gómez family, we would like to thank the Sembrando Semillitas program for providing this opportunity for family fun and resources to make it possible.”
We had a very nice day; my family was really happy! They very much liked to observe the view of the mountain and the small river that crossed through there.
We were also able to observe different weather changes! In some moments we could feel the sun’s rays and at other moments and other moments, we felt the wind running as well as a little snowfall. It was absolutely beautiful. We enjoyed it so much! We also had fun times as the kids were playing with the snow and funny moments where we slipped and fell in the snow but without any complications... everything was very nice!
On behalf of the López Gómez family, we would like to thank the Sembrando Semillitas program for providing this opportunity for family fun and resources to make it possible! We would also like to thank you for helping us as families spend a relaxing and joyful time with our children and get out of the daily routine; encouraging family unity! Thank you!
These outdoor outings were made possible with the support of the Zera Foundation and Adventures Without Limits. Thank you for helping our youth and families create lasting memories!
In 2006, Hacienda’s Plaza Los Robles, a thriving farmworker community, opened its doors in Molalla, OR. Seventeen years later at 415 Toliver Rd., Plaza Los Robles has evolved into a central location where families come together and connect through Hacienda programming. Read on to learn more about this community and the Hacienda staff that impact the Plaza Los Robles community every day.
The Molalla team stands alongside City Manager Dann Huff, Mayor Scott Keyser, and Risk Manager Andy Oliva during a 2023 community event.
Farmworkers are the backbone of Oregon’s agricultural economy, yet these workers are some of the lowest paid in the state. Low wages and an overall lack of adequate housing created barriers for families whose primary language is Spanish, who don’t speak English, and who often experience challenges assimilating to a new and sometimes unwelcoming culture.
In 2006 Hacienda, in partnership with Casa of Oregon, confronted this issue by developing Plaza Los Robles, a 24-unit affordable housing community in the countryside of rural Molalla, to provide housing for farm workers and their families. Located in beautiful countryside, Plaza Los Robles provides affordable housing near the farms where many of its residents work. What sets this community apart outside of its location is the intentionality placed behind the programming and support systems that address the concerns of families.
At Plaza Los Robles, residents and local neighbors have access to a range of programs offered by Hacienda, including Expresiones, an after-school program designed to support the children of Plaza Los Robles residents. This support has proven to be crucial for families navigating the challenges of assimilation and integration into a new community. Santa Avila, a longtime Plaza Los Robles resident who now serves as a Senior Community Organizer at Hacienda, recalls how as families moved in, it also sparked a sense of belonging among all residents.
Santa, alongside other founding community advocates, saw the needs of families, many of whom are Latino, and began to seek more resources to support community members. In April 2013, after years of being a volunteer, Santa led advocacy work and supported children in the community as the Plaza Los Robles After-School Coordinator. Over time, Santa's tireless advocacy work resulted in the establishment of culturally specific services and partnerships that directly benefit Plaza Los Robles residents. From tax preparation assistance provided by El Program Hispano to instrumental help from partners like the Ford Family Foundation for programs such as Expresiones, these collaborative efforts have significantly enriched the lives of Plaza Los Robles residents.
“My younger siblings and my nephews and nieces were in the program, so I know how much impact Expresiones had to the community of Molalla and Plaza Los Robles…”
Bianca Delgado Mendoza, who embodies the values and legacy of Plaza Los Robles, excitedly joined Hacienda as the newest Program Coordinator for Plaza Los Robles in 2023. Bianca’s family was one of the first to live at Plaza Los Robles and she has seen generations grow up there. “My younger siblings and my nephews and nieces were in the program, so I know how much impact Expresiones had to the community of Molalla and Plaza Los Robles… I wanted to work here because I knew some of these kids since they were very young.”
Bianca believes that Expresiones is an important space for students to access opportunities, such as joining the Lobos and Lobitos soccer team, that otherwise wouldn’t be possible for them. Bianca excitedly mentions “these teams are led by volunteers, and they are known here in Molalla because they are so good!” Los Lobos and Los Lobitos have taken people by surprise and have quickly become a gem in the community after winning many games and tournaments!
Given the demanding workdays of farmworkers, parents frequently depend on after-school programs like Expresiones to provide their children with not only a safe but also a welcoming environment. Bianca says, “I have students who don’t live in Los Robles but are still part of the program. They attend every day even if they don’t live here.”
As Molalla’s Latino community continued to grow it became apparent that additional help was needed to meet these needs. “Families knew they had after-school help for their kids, but there wasn’t any support for their babies… there was a need there” says April Arellano, a Sembrando Semillitas Early-Childhood Educator.
In mid-2023, the Sembrando Semillitas program launched, and April became Molalla’s first Sembrando Semillitas Coordinator. For April, this was more than a job, it was a way she could help parents gain understanding and feel encouraged, something she needed during her motherhood journey with her four-year-old son. “My son has development challenges… I get to help families, but I am also learning more about how to be a mom for my son.” April’s passion for serving Latino parents stems from her desire to see more culturally responsive resources that reflect the community and people she serves. According to April, there are things that she would never have understood had she not had help during her initial years of parenting. She hopes she can shed some light the same way it was granted to her.
Plaza Los Robles has become an important place for the Latino community in Molalla, offering opportunities and pride. The community center in Plaza Los Robles is the preferred location for City Council meetings, where community opinions and ideas are regularly voiced. And from this place stems incredibly passionate individuals. For Santa, breaking ground as the first Latina to collaborate with Oregon Health and Science University serves as a powerful platform to advocate for her community and extend outreach to the Latino population in Molalla. Meanwhile, Bianca is nurturing mentoring connections with students who share a similar background, fostering a sense of solidarity and support. Additionally, April is actively searching for new networks to meet the needs of Latino parents, enhancing access to vital resources and services.
"Queremos ser una voz para la comunidad Latina... we want to be a voice for the Latino community," says Santa. "Plaza Los Robles means a lot to many people in Molalla," adds Bianca. We look forward to seeing what is next for Plaza Los Robles as they continue to advocate for and with the community they serve.
Muchas gracias to the Molalla team for pioneering Hacienda programming. We know Plaza Los Robles will continue to demonstrate its community strength for years to come.
Click here to learn more about Hacienda’s Youth and Family Services.
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Read more about how to wear a life jacket, the importance of water safety, and how to protect yourself and your loved ones this summer.
Did you know body heat can be lost four times faster in cold water than in cold air? When your body hits the water, you can experience cold shock—rapid breathing, a spike in heart rate and blood pressure. Wearing a life jacket, even if you know how to swim, is the best thing you can do to stay safe in the water this summer and any time of the year!
How to fit a life jacket:
The life jacket has to fit to do its job. Keep these tips in mind when selecting a jacket for you. Life jackets come in many shapes, sizes, colors and materials. No matter which style you choose, it is very important that you choose one that's not too big, not too small, but just right. http://oregonmetro.gov/watersafety
When shopping for a life jacket, size matters. Rather than getting one to grow into, make sure the jacket fits snug on the user.
It’s important that a life jacket fits properly—check the label for height and weight requirements.
Water safety for all ages:
Regardless of your age, anyone can learn how to swim. It’s never too late to learn basic swim and water survival skills. Swim lessons are hard to come by this summer, but some lessons might still be available in your area:
o Tualatin
o Portland
In general, it’s always best to teach children to always ask for permission to go near water. Continue to supervise around water, even once kids get older.
Remember:
Knowing how to swim will not drown-proof any person at any age.
Drowning isn’t just a risk to young kids. Many drowning victims are young adults, especially in open water.
Never swim alone. Use the buddy system, even when swimming with a large group of friends.
Don’t use alcohol or drugs before or while swimming, diving or supervising swimmers.
Overall Safety Tips:
Here are some things to keep in mind once children enter adolescence:
Learn how to swim. It’s never too late to learn basic swim and water survival skills.
Continue to supervise. It can save lives. Knowing how to swim will not drown-proof any person at any age. Never swim alone. Use the buddy system, even when swimming with a large group of friends.
Choose natural water swimming spots carefully. Swimming in a river or lake is very different from swimming in a pool. Be aware of the risks before you go.
Wear a life jacket.
Lower your risk of drowning: learn to swim, bring a buddy, know the risks of natural water and plan your trip.
