Define community leadership: Leadership is the ability to make people follow an idea for their overall good, I do not see my self as a leader as I tend to not to have any unnecessary interaction with others.

Community involvement: Unite Oregon (Beaverton Inclusive Housing Program) 

I’ve chosen to focus my career for the last seven years around literacy because I see this work as essential in creating a more equitable world. I have learned the social, systemic and mental barriers that individuals, specifically adult immigrants with low English proficiency skills, face when trying to access literacy programs. I've worked with several literacy programs ranging in services like computer courses, English as a Second Language and job readiness classes, and vocational training. During the pandemic I've learned that access to these programs isn't enough. Adults learning a new skill must also have access to the correct tools that will ensure their ability to successfully complete such programs. I believe that literacy can help end poverty when communities are empowered with social services that focus on developing people’s skills, in order to keep up with the changing job market. 

A bit about my personal background: I'm a first generation Mexican American and use she/her pronouns. I was born and raised in South Texas and lived in Austin, Texas for 10 years, where I began my non-profit work. I moved to Portland, Oregon at the start of the year to be closer to family and enjoy exploring the city with them. I look forward to learning more about community based organizations in this area and finding my place in that work.

Define community leadership: I believe that leadership in my community should be transparent and accessible. They should have clear goals and objectives that they are working towards. I see myself as a leader in my community because I care about the people that live here. I care and so I work with people that have felt they don't have a voice in their community find one. While my reach has not been vast, I believe we are all leaders when we come face to face with a barrier in our community and choose to do something about it. 

Community involvement: Program Coordinator at Portland Community College's Opportunity Centers

Ballen likes to keep learning and not miss a chance to know more about this country's housing and homeless crisis. Hoping to help his community and society by acquiring information to arrange better networking among non-profit and government entities to work together and enhance the efforts of making housing first an easy option for low-income and homeless people.

Community involvement: Beaverton Organizing and Leadership Development (BOLD) by the City of Beaverton and Unite Oregon, Civic Leadership by Washington County, Washington County's Housing Advisory Group, and Beaverton's Housing Technical Advisory Group (HTAG)

My passion is to pursue justice by actively participating in addressing the socio-economic issues that hinder the vulnerable folks from thriving.

The issues that affect people in my community better to me and I have been joining various efforts in creating solutions to help address those social issues.

Community involvement: African Heritage Education and Empowerment Community (AFRHEEC)

Define community leadership: I didn't see myself as a leader up until very recently. I see myself as a leader now because it's a position I often end up in even when I defer to others at first. Within my community I do my best to lead by example. I started volunteering because I noticed most of the people who do it are seniors and need younger people to help, and suggesting to my peers they should volunteer would be meaningless if I didn't do it myself.

Community involvement: I volunteer for Oregon Food Bank, The Sharing Place, and Changing Footprints.

¿Te ves a ti misma una líder comunitaria?

No tengo experiencia ni e participado pero quiero aprender y comenzar

Participación de la comunidad: Programa de Vivienda Inclusiva de Beaverton

¿Te ves a ti mismo como un líder?

No soy lider me gusta apoyar y estar activa apoyando o sirviendo a la comunidad. Para ser lider de acuerdo a mi pensamiento necesito tiempo para liderar y mantenerme en contacto con la comunidad en forma obligatoria y de manera constante,  ya que tomo el liderasgo como la cabeza de un projecto.

Community involvement: Cooper Mountain Community Advisory Committee member

¿Te ves a ti misma una líder comunitaria?

Si, porque me dedico a Dofundir información educacional y recursos para la comunidad entre otras acciones. 

Participación de la comunidad: Soy miembro del TV Hwy Steering Committee 

Define community leadership: A leader is one who listens to members of their community, and responds to their needs accordingly, with empathy, equity, and responsibility. A leader follows through on their commitments and considers the needs of al members of the community, centering voices of those who are marginalized, to make accessible and equitable solutions a reality.

Community involvement: Street Resiliency Team (Unhoused Persons Mutual Aid & Support, formerly part of DSA) Steering Committee/Volunteer; CUMC Community Garden/Food Forest Project (Sponsored by Sunrise Movement & Christ United Methodist Church) Steering Committee/Volunteer; Millikan Way CAC Committee Member

It is important to encourage people who are disenfranchised to be heard. The discussion and soliciting opinions are important. Getting to know people without getting too personal is important. Know when to keep it simple, straight forward and succinct. 

Communication is key - even if it’s an update to say nothing is happening. 

Community involvement: I volunteer with Waste Not Food Taxi to pick up excess food from grocery stores and deliver it to food pantries thus we are feeding folks and keeping thousands of pounds of food from going to the landfill.

Define community leadership: Leadership in my community is helping everyone regardless of what situation they are in and taking an initiative to seek information for the community and giving the community that information. I am slowly growing into a leader and I think this cohort will push me in the right direction. 

Community involvement: Not at this time but I work with families that are low income and of color.