Embedded Files
MPOWERD’s Story
In 2020, as our communities endured loss and separation, our people in the Marianas and throughout the diaspora felt the distance from home and each other more deeply than ever. From this shared experience, MPOWERD emerged as a space for collective care and action, founded by two Chamoru from Guåhan and Luta who understood both the challenges and possibilities of building bridges across distance.
We combined our strengths—Demi's deep-rooted work in maternal health and family support, providing essential baby items and period products through a major Atlanta nonprofit, and mobilizing Fortune 500 companies to support missions that directly impact families in need. Mona's leadership spans local, state, and national anti-poverty initiatives, including housing stability programs, energy assistance like LIHEAP, and the development of the first-ever federal water assistance program, LIHWAP. Together, we took a different approach—one that questioned how we engage in these spaces and how to do this work authentically, rooted in community care and holistic solutions. This ongoing journey of learning and listening is what now brings us back home.
Through federal programs, statewide associations, and grassroots movements, we've seen how community wisdom transforms systems. Our work includes partnering with multiple Head Start programs and a major diaper bank in Florida to improve access to essential resources, conducting community-led assessments and focus groups across Texas—from large urban centers to rural East Texas—and meeting people where they are to ensure their voices shape the solutions they receive. Beyond these efforts, we also travel across the country training nonprofits, governments, and activists on topics like community care in times of crisis, organizational capacity building through disruptive innovation, and equitable data research practices for impact storytelling. We center community care in all its forms: shifting power, providing resources, and fostering collective action that creates lasting impact.
But our hearts remain in the Marianas. MPOWERD Marianas is our commitment to strengthening connections between our islands and diaspora communities. Every last Friday at 6pm EST / Saturday 9am ChST, we host virtual spaces where our people gather, share stories, and build collective care practices that honor our Indigenous resilience. These gatherings go beyond conversation—they are part of a broader effort to prioritize Marianas care and diasporic healing. We are building a platform where community wisdom leads, where organizing and care intersect, and where our people can access resources that reflect their needs and strengths.
MPOWERD Marianas is at the core of our commitment to Marianas care. While it currently exists through our monthly spaces for listening, learning, and growth, our vision extends to community organizing and supporting local leaders and initiatives. This includes strategic planning, community-led research, resource development, fundraising, and capacity building.
Looking ahead, we are focused on creating spaces that unite our islands, connect our diaspora, and build pathways for collective action. Whether through virtual gatherings, grassroots initiatives, or advocacy, everything we do is guided by the vision of a stronger, more connected Marianas community.
Join us! Visit www.mpowerdsolutions.com, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn @mpowerdsolutions, or email us at hello@mpowerdsolutions.com. Let's build community together.
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Story by MPOWERD SOLUTIONS
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