Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024
At United Way of the Columbia-Willamette, we are proud to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Our work in disaster resilience and early learning in particular helps many people of Hispanic descent. Through our Parent Accountability Council in Washington County and our Disaster Resilience Learning Network, we are able to bring the voices of Hispanic people directly to the table, helping them claim power that has been historically denied to them and other people of color. Through this work, we learn how to create better, culturally-specific impact in all of our initiatives.
Today we want to share the thoughts of five of our staff, all of whom are integral to United Way's efforts and success. Their stories reflect the rich diversity and cultural contributions of the Hispanic community, and how their heritage influences their work, values, and dedication to our mission. Join us as we hear from them about how their backgrounds shape their professional lives and inspire their commitment to making a difference in our region.
Nancy Leon, Bilingual Senior Manager with Early Learning Washington County
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to recognize Hispanic and Latino communities' rich and diverse cultural contributions. It's a reminder that embracing diversity adds depth and value to our work and interactions and plays a crucial role in creating a more inclusive and equitable society. By honoring Hispanic heritage, we can uplift individuals, celebrate their unique identities, and inspire future generations to take pride in their cultural heritage. This celebration is also an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and strengths of Hispanic families, which in turn allows us to provide more targeted and effective support, nurture trust, and empower these communities to thrive.
How has your Hispanic heritage shaped your approach to your work and your interactions with the communities we serve?
My Hispanic heritage has profoundly shaped my approach to work in early education, influencing how I connect with both children and their families. Growing up in a vibrant culture that values community and family, I prioritize building strong relationships with families, ensuring they feel seen and heard. My background encourages me to incorporate culturally relevant materials and practices, celebrating families' diverse experiences. Additionally, I emphasize the importance of bilingual communication, recognizing that language is a vital bridge to understanding and engagement. By fostering an inclusive environment that respects and honors different backgrounds, I aim to create a sense of belonging in the classroom and within the broader community we serve. This commitment enriches the learning experience and helps cultivate a nurturing space where every child and family can thrive.
What advice would you give other Hispanic professionals about navigating their heritage in the workplace?
As a Latina professional, I encourage fellow Hispanic professionals to embrace their heritage as a source of strength and pride in the workplace. It's important to celebrate the unique perspectives we bring to the table, share our culture with colleagues, and foster understanding and connection. Building a strong and nurturing support system with mentors and peers is also essential. This network can provide valuable guidance and motivation, recognizing the real challenges we encounter on our journey. Above all, staying true to yourself is important because your authentic voice is invaluable. Remember, our heritage is not just part of our identity; it's an asset that enriches our professional journey!
Remember, our heritage is not just part of our identity; it's an asset that enriches our professional journey!
Jorge Guzman Arenas, Bilingual Coordinator Enrollment Project Manager with Early Learning Multnomah County
How has your Hispanic heritage shaped your approach to your work and your interactions with the communities we serve?
My heritage along with my cultural background have always played an important role in my career and even the way I approach my work. I come from a Mexican immigrant family where my grandparents and mother grew up in the fields cultivating and picking many of the produce that feed this country. Based on their experience and their daily struggles, pursuing a higher education and having a hard work ethic were always the objectives of their lessons they would lecture me with.
I try utilizing my education and experience to deliver more community responsive and trauma-informed services. All comes handy as I work with not just my Latine community but with our communities who have been impacted by poverty and a lack of resources.
Can you share any specific challenges or advantages you’ve encountered in the workplace because of your background?
In the past, some of the challenges I noticed were often like the ones my Latino friend’s experience in their workplace. One was the lack of opportunities to be considered for leadership roles in an organization. Regardless of the years of experience in field or education, this has been a similar struggle for many people in my community.
Another challenge was equal pay. We have data that shows this issue nationwide, but it’s also fuel that continues feeding my desire to pursue more education.
On the other hand, an advantage I saw was the fact that many jobs look for bilingual staff. Being bilingual and bicultural can be an advantage in the job market.
Are there any aspects of Hispanic culture that you incorporate into your daily work or leadership style?
One of the aspects of my cultural influence in my work and leadership style is collectivism. In my house for example, I do not eat alone if my wife or friends are present. In my work, I make sure that I am there for my team, my community, and I make sure that I make contribution is an addition to what may be missing or needed, in order for all to move forward together.
Laura Ramirez, Bilingual Parent Engagement Project Manager with Early Learning Washington County
Can you share any specific challenges or advantages you’ve encountered in the workplace because of your background?
Growing up as a Latina, I faced the challenge of navigating two worlds—speaking Spanish at home while learning about the U.S. systems in English at school. It was tough to find my identity, but now I embrace it as a strength. My bilingual background has gifted me resilience, a strong work ethic, and the ability to multitask. These qualities shape who I am today, allowing me to bridge cultures and bring a unique perspective to everything I do.
How do you think your cultural experiences have contributed to the mission and success of United Way?
Working at United Way has empowered me to lead initiatives that directly serve my Latinx community. By leveraging my lived experience, I can connect our resources to those in need and truly understand the challenges we face. This role allows me to bridge the gap between services and the community, ensuring that our efforts are relevant and impactful. Together, we’re building a stronger, more connected community.
Laurin Bello, Community Impact Project Manager
To tell you how my Latinidad has impacted my career is nearly impossible, because being Latina is not something that I really have a choice on, but something that I carry with the biggest pride and joy; it is in absolutely everything I do, because it is who I am. While Spanish is the language I can access and leverage when needed, the reality is that being Latina is just part of my DNA; so to tell you how my heritage has shaped my work or how it is incorporated on it is almost an impossible task, because is not a tool I have access to but rather is who I am.
However, what I know for sure is that being born and raised Latina has made me work very hard and trust that my work will speak for myself always; and I can guarantee you that this is the reality for most of us women, but more specifically for Latinas and other women of color; and one of the reasons research shows why the pay gap still exists: we don't ask for more or advocate for ourselves because most of us were raised under the believe that if you work hard, if you do things right, someone will notice, someone will care and someone will recognize it; but that rarely happens so we are often left doing what we are already doing "great". And while you all might know me as a very 'outspoken' senorita, the reality is that advocating for myself continues to be one of the hardest things for me to do; but I have had no other option but to do it even when it feels very uncomfortable.
In my 1.5 years with UWCW, I went from part-time temp researcher for our Albina Rockwood Promise Neighborhood Initiative, within a few months I became a full-time lead researcher and less than a year after I obtained the Community Impact Project Manager role I am currently on. During this time, I have worked directly with our communities of Albina and Rockwood collecting data to assess project impact and present needs, I have distributed over $10M across +90 grassroots organizations in our tri-county area for workforce stabilization and capacity building as well as for Civic Engagement & Advocacy; I have lead our BIPOC Leadership Gatherings, and I am about to lead the Dolly Parton Imagination Library for Multnomah, Clackamas & Washington counties on behalf of UWCW & CO; and I have only being able to do this because someone noticed me, someone cared and someone recognized me; and those someone are Kelly O'Lague & Kori Gregg; they have taking me into their wings and opened up mines, gave me the fuel and platform to dream and do. It is also every single of the 47 people in our organization that all day everyday embrace me and my Latinidad, loud and proud, but also celebrate it with and for me by allowing me to show up every day at work only as who I authentically am.
It is also every single person from our community partners, organizations and government teams that I have had the privilege to work with and who ask me how my name is really pronounce and make a constant effort to say like it is. Everyone who has read the news about Venezuela and came to me informed to properly discuss the topic, to offer support and even guidance. It is every effort to let us all be who we truly are, and to shine a light on our stories of success, progress and impact.