FORTH and Hacienda CDC have partnered to bring two electric vehicles for shared use at Las Adelitas and Salón Comunal.
Read more about the community launch event and what to expect from the EV carsharing system.
A new Chevy Bolt will be available for carshare rental program in partnership with FORTH.
Hacienda’s dedication to supporting and uplifting communities is strengthened through valuable partnerships. Collaborating with remarkable organizations, we develop resources to engage residents and community members.
On January 23, 2024, Hacienda’s Resident Services team, in collaboration with FORTH, a nonprofit organization focused on clean transportation, introduced an exciting new carshare program to the Cully community. But what exactly is carsharing? It's a solution aimed at overcoming transportation limitations by providing access to a fleet of vehicles for short-term rentals. Additionally, with its utilization of electric vehicles, it also contributes to reducing carbon emissions.
The 2-hour Launch Event served as an opportunity for residents to discover more about the carshare program and its benefits. The system will feature a specialized app allowing residents to easily reserve, unlock, and drive the vehicle during their allocated time. Moreover, participants were assured of receiving travel support throughout their journey, highlighting one of the many ways FORTH supports participating residents. A standout feature of the carsharing program is its use of electric vehicles as a transportation option. Residents got an exclusive first look at the new Chevy Bolt and eagerly explored the vehicle they will soon have access to.
Families and individuals across the Cully community will utilize the carshare for their daily errands and to create new memories during their vacations. Thank you FORTH for partnering with Hacienda and making transportation accessible to everyone!
Are you a Hacienda Cully resident interested in using the carshare system?
Download the MDO Carshare app from the Google Play or App Store or scan the QR code to get started:
Register Account
Onboarding Call
Reserve
Unluck and Drive
Return and Pug-In
Need help? Please visit goforthcarshare.com or call 503-850-0007
Nico and Fran are two entrepreneurs with a mission to introduce their innovative pistachio spread, Pistakio, to every household. In 2023 they partnered up with Hacienda’s Empresarios program to launch their business. Read more about their inspiring journey.
In 2022, Fran Voit and her partner Nico Buffo were in their senior year at Savannah College of Art & Design when they came up with an innovative business idea for one of their classes. With their shared passion for food, (and pistachios!) the two of them thought about ways to create a universally loved treat. Why pistachios? While traveling through Italy, these two entrepreneurs fell in love with its savory and sweet applications. From this unexpected inspiration came Pistakio, a spread that they call “pistachios reimagined.”
Impressed by the final project, Nico's professor urged them to bring their idea to life. His encouragement instilled belief in the potential success of Pistakio. After much deliberation, Fran and Nico embraced the unknown, eager to see where their idea could take them. “We were honestly shocked at the response we got, and that got us thinking,” explained Fran.
They soon launched an Instagram page, inviting followers to join them on their journey. In February 2023, they showcased their first batch of recipes at a farmers' market in Savannah, Georgia. At the farmers market, Nico and Fran received feedback from customers about what they liked and didn’t, which gave the business owners a better idea of what people appreciated.
"We wanted to make sure people could use the spread on anything, not just have seasonal spreads like you often see," said Fran. This commitment to creating a versatile pistachio spread led them to Portland. “We knew that this was a great place to start a business because people care for fresh and local businesses.” Their goal was clear: to tap into the vibrant community of small businesses to offer a unique, delectable nut spread unlike any on the market. “We noticed that there were nut butters and spreads, but not many pistachio-based for everyday use...” Fran added.
As Pistakio's popularity grew over time, Nico and Fran faced the challenge of meeting demand. During this time, they discovered the "Get Your Recipe to Market" course at Portland Community College. Fran luckily crossed paths with Melina Romero, the Empresarios Program Coordinator, since the Empresarios program gave an educational presentation to the class. “Melina was a presenter one day and we immediately connected after realizing we were both Ecuadorian. Soon after, we began to search for a kitchen to produce and she told us about the commissary kitchen, so we went immediately!” recounted Fran.
The Portland Mercado commissary kitchen provided Nico and Fran with the space to scale up production, fueling their ambition to create more products. They soon became clients of the Empresarios program, where they were paired with Flavio Gracia, their personal business advisor. On one occasion, through the guidance of the Empresarios program, Fran and Nico pitched their ideas to a local grocery store, gaining invaluable insights to propel their progress. "I vividly remember seeing Fran and Nico's dedication and passion during the pitch meeting. Some board members said that it was the best presentation they had heard," shared Melina.
The relentless determination and hard work of this dynamic duo have undoubtedly paid off. Their success is also due to the unwavering support of many. "It was because of a lot of people's support we are here now and in less than a year. I’m grateful for Melina and the Empresarios team, all the vendors, and the people who have supported us. We are grateful for it all.," expressed Fran.
Looking ahead, Pistakio will be available for national purchase through their website beginning February 26th, 2024. Furthermore, Fran and Nico are eager to launch a second savory Pistakio spread in 2025 and explore additional flavor variations. “We want to create variations and fun collabs of our sweet one since it has been loved by so many already. And we're super excited (and nervous) for our launch coming up really soon!” shared these amazing entrepreneurs. Congratulations, Fran and Nico, on an extraordinary and inspirational beginning!
Ready to start your food-related business? Learn more about our Empresarios program.
Portland Parks & Recreation engages the next generation of environmental leaders through volunteer naturalist training, paid work programs, nature-based camps, field trips, guided walks, and stewardship. Learn more about opportunities available.
Vanesa Mendoza-Cruz shares how her desire to SERVE Our community is a direct reflection OF her personal journey. Read more about Vanesa’s story as A hacienda resident to chief of staff to the ceo.
Vanesa Mendoza-Cruz is an example of what it means to exude tenacity, determination, and passion for her community. Most recently named Hacienda’s Chief of Staff, Vanesa has inspired our team and community through her engagement and community advocacy. Throughout her life, Vanesa has demonstrated the importance of elevating voices and stories that speak the truth of our community’s spirit. Read more about Vanesa’s story.
Vanesa’s journey with Hacienda began twenty-four years ago upon her arrival from Oaxaca, Mexico to NE Portland at age eight. Like many immigrants, her family’s arrival in the United States signified a moment of hope and change. Her childhood was shaped by Portland’s Cully neighborhood. She grew up attending neighboring schools, and lived in Hacienda’s Clara Vista community in apartment thirty-nine; Vanesa’s first home during a time that gave her a place of belonging. “A lot of my memories since I arrived in the United States here happened there in that apartment …”
As her journey into adulthood began, Vanesa found herself feeling a desire to serve and give back to the community that supported her. After three years of working in the banking industry, she felt compelled to fulfill this passion by finding opportunities to directly engage with community. It was during this waiting period that a temporary three-month Data Entry position opened for the then-Portland Niños program, now Sembrando Semillitas. It wasn’t before long that her passion for our work and community was noticed, and Vanesa transitioned into the role of interim Executive Assistant to the CEO. Yet, due to the role’s short-term nature, she became an Administrative Assistant within the Hacienda’s Real Estate Development program. “I pretty much have worked in every department except Economic Opportunity…”
As fate would have it, the full-time Executive Assistant position became available and she was offered the opportunity given her natural skillset. For Vanesa, it was both exciting and nerve-wracking; “It was intimidating but I gave it a shot and said yes.” Little did she know her yes to the challenge would result in a six-year career as our CEO’s executive assistant.
What’s next for Vanesa? She has proudly accepted a recent promotion as Chief of Staff to the CEO.
“It’s the ‘Hacienda Effect’, everyone who’s worked or been part of Hacienda ends up returning somehow regardless of where they go…”
Vanesa strives to serve her community, and as she explains it, “…meet our communities where they are at.” Meeting communities where they are at means understanding their needs and goals and creating awareness of the various opportunities accessible to them. It means creating a seat at the table but making sure you’re also heard at the table once you’re there.”
Raising awareness for the needs of our Latino and low-income communities is one of the primary ways Vanesa believes change can occur. Often, community members don’t know the resources they can access, such as schools or after-school programs, so Vanesa makes it a point to inform others and advocate for them.
Time and time again she has seen Hacienda’s impact and its commitment to uplifting our communities. “It’s the ‘Hacienda Effect’, everyone who’s worked or been part of a Hacienda ends up returning somehow regardless of where they go… Our residents are the main example of this.” For Vanesa, her journey is a clear example of this “Hacienda effect” as her experience as a Hacienda resident led her to return to make a difference and be a leader in her community.
When looking to the future, Vanesa is excited to continue her work at Hacienda and use her wisdom as well as her personal story to help the organization meet communities where they are. As the new Chief of Staff to the CEO, she aims to foster an environment of hospitality and promote the needs of community members. “I’m looking forward to what’s to come and to continue this work and find ways to meet other community needs. We can work on mental health and see the youth in our programs fulfill their dreams from beginning to end.”
Vanesa’s story is an example of resilience and passion. Her impact continues to bring unity and hope to many. Let’s celebrate her newest role as Chief of Staff to the CEO and her continued efforts to raise individuals within our communities! Felicidades, Vanesa!
Hacienda CDC programs encompass our values. Learn more about Hacienda’s mission by clicking here.
Free community-focused college course supporting participants in connection building and networking.
Read more to learn about this program and eligibility.
Humanity in Perspective (HIP) is a free, for credit, college level humanities course for individuals living on low incomes and/or face barriers to continue their education.
In addition to a free course, all class-related readings are provided. Upon fulfillment, participants receive transferable undergraduate credits as well as a certificate of completion.
This unique and incredible course has been made possible through a partnership between Oregon Humanities, Bard College, and Portland State University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
To Register: View the list of upcoming courses and complete a short, noncompetitive registration form located on the HIP website.
Questions? Contact Rozzell Medina, HIP’s Program Manager and Lead Instructor at r.medina@oregonhumanities.org or (971) 361-9883.
The East County Library will be an entirely new building similar in size to the Central Library in downtown Portland. Help Multnomah County better understand your needs and interests by filling out our quick 3-question survey at the link:
English Survey: ECL - Art Survey (English) (surveymonkey.com)
Spanish Survey: ECL - Art Survey (Spanish) (surveymonkey.com)
Vietnamese Survey: ECL - Art Survey (Vietnamese) (surveymonkey.com)
Chinese Survey: ECL - Art Survey (Chinese) (surveymonkey.com)
Russian Survey: ECL - Art Survey (Russian) (surveymonkey.com)
Submit your response before no later than July 16th.
Multnomah County is looking forward to dreaming big with you and they can't wait to hear your ideas!
Hacienda CDC is proud to announce the rename of its early childhood education program, Portland Niños, to Sembrando Semillitas (sem-BRAN-do Se-mee-YEE-tas).
Hacienda CDC is proud to announce the rename of its early childhood education program, Portland Niños, to Sembrando Semillitas (sem-BRAN-do Se-mee-YEE-tas), meaning sowing little seeds in Spanish. This new name reflects the program's mission to cultivate the growth of parents and their children by planting the seeds of knowledge and nurturing their development.
At Hacienda CDC, we are dedicated to providing affordable housing, economic development, and educational opportunities to our communities. Our focus on education is driven by our belief that high-quality resources and educational opportunities set our community members on a path to success.
The Sembrando Semillitas program, formerly Portland Niños was established in 2005, and has been a cornerstone of Hacienda’s education initiatives, providing bilingual, culturally responsive early childhood education throughout Multnomah County to parents and their children ages 0-5.
“Our early education support and programming is a fundamental part of our work in the county and has supported families and their children for nearly two decades.”" Says, Ernesto Fonseca, CEO of Hacienda CDC. “We are so proud of the work that this team does every day and look forward to seeing them deepen their impact in their new permanent programming space.”
Through home visits, play-based learning, and intentional instruction to both parents and children, our staff are a pillar of support for families and help children develop the skills they need to thrive in their early years and beyond. Our bilingual, bicultural approach ensures that all families, regardless of their background or language, feel valued and supported.
Thanks to the incredible community support, Sembrando Semillitas program will be housed in its first-ever permanent location in Hacienda’s Las Adelitas. The new space, called Las Abejitas, which means "the little bees," is a play on the Las Adelitas name and is inspired by bees as the pollinators contributing to plant’s growth and development who collaborate to create a strong community together. We hope that this new space will inspire parents and their children to explore, learn, and grow together.
We are thrilled to continue our early education work as Sembrando Semillitas!
Hacienda CDC is proud to announce the grand opening celebration of Las Adelitas, a new community in the heart of Portland’s Cully neighborhood. The community was brought to life on the site of a once-neglected piece of land has now blossomed into a community designed for families and individuals looking for safe and affordable homes. Built with community in mind, Las Adelitas is now a place where residents can thrive and grow and access additional support through Hacienda’s holistic programming and services.
Attendees at the Grand Opening celebration were able to witness firsthand how Hacienda CDC’s commitment to creating affordable and accessible housing for families and individuals has most recently transformed the Sugar Shack into Las Adelitas, a community named after Female Mexican Revolutionaries, which aims to prioritizes the well-being of its residents and provides a platform for growth and opportunity.
The program started at 11:00 AM on Thursday, March 9th, with opening remarks by Ernesto Fonseca, CEO of Hacienda CDC, who shared his vision for the project and spoke about Hacienda’s mission to support its existing and growing community. Also in attendance were Governor Tina Kotek, Director Andrea Bell of Oregon Housing and Community Services, Commissioner Carmen Rubio of Multnomah County, Councilor Mary Nolan of Oregon Metro, Bryan Guiney of United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Molly Rogers of the Portland Housing Bureau, Cat Vielma of Red Stone Equity, Alex Salazar of Salazar Architect, Jaclyn Sarna of Hacienda CDC, and Vanesa Mendoza, a long-time Cully community member and Hacienda CDC staff.
“We are thrilled to celebrate the grand opening of Las Adelitas and to see this community come to life,” said Ernesto Fonseca, CEO of Hacienda CDC. “Our commitment to creating affordable and accessible housing for families and individuals has transformed the Sugar Shack into a community that prioritizes the well-being of its residents and provides a place for stability, growth, and opportunity. People thought it couldn’t be done, but here we are in the heart of this beautiful space celebrating together.
“When we all work together and we’re bold, and tenacious, we get stuff done… This is a community triumph. This project, this community, this home is going to transform this community… and it wasn’t easy but should be easier for communities to put resources together to get people homes in a place like this.” says Governor Tina Kotek
“We talk about change and today we are actualizing turning a vision into a force of action. And for me, from my seat, that is what hope looks like, that is what optimism looks like… This is not about numbers or abstracts, but how people are doing. How are the people we serve? And what we are seeing today is the manifestation of that course of action,” says Director Andrea Bell, Oregon Housing and Community Services.
The grand opening celebration concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, tours of the community, a dance performance by Peru Baila Asi, and musical performance by Freddy Vilches.
Ernesto Fonseca, speakers from the grand opening event, and a resident from Las Adelitas are available for interviews by request.
For more information about Las Adelitas, visit lasadelitas.org
