Immigrant Help Center to Open in Hood River on March 18
After more than half a decade, Hood River Latino Network will open a physical location in Hood River.
Volunteer Arturo Leyva and Community Organizer Martha ‘Tita’ Verduzco-Ortega received the keys to Hood River Latino Network’s ew brick and mortar space on Wednesday, Feb 38, 2024. Verduzco-Ortega is an Organizer with the Rural Organizing Project working with volunteer-led and rural-based human dignity groups across the Gorge and rural Oregon to advance democracy, and to create innovative programs like the Immigrant Help Center that can serve as a community resource model for other regions in the state. Photo: HRLN
By Cole Goodwin
Hood River, Ore., February 29, 2024 –Hood River Latino Network and the Rural Organizing Project received the keys to open up an Immigrant Help Center (IHC) at 1406 12th St, Suite 2, in Hood River, this week. The IHC will act as a community hub and wrap around service center. Programming will include cultural events, leadership skills development, and assistance navigating mental and health services.
Map of where HRLN’s Immigrant Help Center location will be located in the Heights of Hood River, Oregon.
Hood River Latino Network has been the labor of love for several community organizers for more than half of a decade. The Network seeks more representation for the Latino community in the Gorge, where a large portion of the population are immigrants and temporary workers with unique needs. HRLN works to give them a voice in the face of inequalities.
The Center is expected to open and begin offering services in its new space starting March 18th, 2024. Their grand opening will take place in mid-April.
“Hood River County has one of the highest Latino populations in Oregon (32.1% of Hood River County identifies as Hispanic). And as popular and touristy as Hood River is, it is still a rural area, so we don’t have all the services that the Metro area has. The Immigration Help Center will help bridge the gap in services for Latinos in the Columbia Gorge,” said Martha ‘Tita’ Verduzco-Ortega.
“The IHC will help empower and advocate for the most vulnerable. We are going to make sure they are set up to be successful,” said Verduzco-Ortega, “All immigrants are welcome.”
The events and demonstrations would not have been possible without the support of individuals such as Ambër Rôsé, Jose Bibian, Arturo Leyva, Samuel Murillo, Monica Romero, Patti Verduzco, and so many more who have been fundamental in the consolidation of the movement.
The IHC will offer a number of services to the community including:
Community Help, Workers Rights, Renter's Rights, and Immigration Resources
Community members can walk in or make appointments to learn and navigate issues like tenant rights, employee workers' compensation, how to register to vote, the citizenship process, and green card support, as well as any other questions and concerns that arise. They will also have an immigration attorney and other law services available for consultation as the office continues to establish itself.
“We will do screenings and help guide people through the process of accessing affordable housing, rent assistance, utility assistance, weatherization, physical, behavioral, and mental health resources, and anything else they need help with,” said Verduzco-Oretga.
The IHC also hopes to create cultural changes around talking about mental health and other sensitive topics.
“Culturally, there is a tendency for immigrants to not talk about their needs and struggles, we are here to help change that, and let people know it’s okay to ask for help,” said Verduzco-Ortega.
They also hope to build connections with the Mexican Consulate in the future and bring “El Consulado Movil” more often to the Gorge. “We take a lot of calls from people asking for help in making an appointment with the Mexican Consulate in Portland. We want to make the process a bit easier for our people said Verduzco-Ortega.
Training Hub
The IHC will host community classes that help build economic literacy and workforce skills as well as media training for youth.
“We applied for a grant that would provide our office with six computers to help with training,” said Verduzco-Oretga.
Cultural Resource and Event Hub
The IHC hopes to hold and support local cultural events. The center will serve as a place for farm workers and migrants to meet and provide the infrastructure that is critically needed to organize and be responsive to changing priorities in the community.
Leadership Community and Campaign Incubator
The Center aims to support and bring together the next generation of organizers.
“We will provide a meeting space to foster multi-generational leadership to come together to strategize and share techniques, to problem solve, and identify community solutions,” said Verduzco-Oretga.
Verduzco emphasized that the project was made possible through the larger community's hard work and HRLN's partnership with the Rural Organizing Project.
“They’ve taken us under their wing until we gain non-profit status,” said Verduzco-Oretga. “Our dream and passion is to help our people and ROP has given all of us at HRLN the opportunity to make those dreams come true.”
Rural Organizing Project is a statewide organization that supports a multi-issue, rural-centered, grassroots base in Oregon. Founded in 1992, ROP works to build and support a shared standard of human dignity: the belief in the equal worth of all communities, the need for equal access to justice, and the right to self-determination.
“We’re applying for grants and welcome any donations and support people can offer to the help center,” said Verduzco-Oretga.
To donate to HRLN email hoodriverlatino@gmail.com. To connect with HRLN call 541-490-5579 or email hoodriverlatino@gmail.com.
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