Finding Community Vision Action Network

Episode 19 of Finding Community arrives just as Hispanic Heritage Month is ending, and we are pleased to have as our guest Dr. Ruth Zúñiga. Ruth is a licensed psychologist who has won awards for her work in the community. As co-founder and Executive Director of the nonprofit Raíces de Bienestar, Ruth works to improve and strengthen the mental health and emotional wellbeing of the Latinx community in Oregon.

Glenn chats with Ruth about her experiences growing up in rural Costa Rica, pushing up against the social norms of her evangelical Christian upbringing to eventually earn a PhD in Clinical and Community Psychology which she combines with her passion for service to the Latinx community.

Ruth speaks of the signs that have guided her path which have often come as messages from those who have supported her, whether in an Idaho college town, the outskirts of Anchorage, Alaska, or in Oregon where she, her husband, and daughter have called home for nearly ten years.

Transcript available: https://bit.ly/Ep19_Transcripts

Learn about Raíces de Bienestar at https://raicesdebienestar.org/

Learn more about VAN and our initiatives:
https://www.visionactionnetwork.org
https://www.facebook.com/VisionActionNetwork/
https://www.instagram.com/visionactionnetwork/

This episode was produced by Glenn Montgomery for Vision Action Network. Our audio editor and music producer is Mandana Khoshnevisan. Music by Choro da Alegria. Post-production by Jenny Moore.

David Martinez joins us for Episode 18 of Finding Community. In his role as Assistant County Administrator, he is among the newest members of Washington County’s leadership team and one of the most civically engaged Latinx leaders in the region.

David shares about his life growing up in a large farmworker family in eastern Oregon, and he muses on the differences between rural and urban communities. He reveals the wisdom and empathy gained from a personal journey around identity as a Latino gay man, and how his professional life has been shaped by a strong work ethic and a commitment to being an authentic, accessible, and welcoming leader.

Transcripts available here: https://bit.ly/Ep18_Transcripts

Learn more about VAN and our initiatives:
https://www.visionactionnetwork.org
https://www.facebook.com/VisionActionNetwork/
https://www.instagram.com/visionactionnetwork/

This episode was produced by Glenn Montgomery for Vision Action Network. Our audio editor and music producer is Mandana Khoshnevisan. Music by Choro da Alegria. Post-production by Jenny Moore.

Our guest for Episode 17 of Finding Community is Jonath Colón, Director at Centro de Prosperidad, Centro Cultural's culturally-specific workforce and economic development program.

Glenn chats with Jonath about growing up in a big family in Puerto Rico, where he was grounded in the values of community and love of nature, about the generosity of people who saw his potential and gave him opportunities, and about how he helps others by passing along what he’s learned through his work at Prosperidad.

Jonath reflects on how technology is changing the job market and the workforce, and the impact of COVID on people’s values and expectations. He challenges us to see people, including ourselves, not just where we are today, but where we could be.

Transcripts available here: https://bit.ly/Ep17_Transcripts

Find Centro de Prosperidad at: https://www.centrocultural.org/prosperidad

Learn more about VAN and our initiatives:
https://www.visionactionnetwork.org
https://www.facebook.com/VisionActionNetwork/
https://www.instagram.com/visionactionnetwork/

This episode was produced by Glenn Montgomery for Vision Action Network. Our audio editor and music producer is Mandana Khoshnevisan. Music by Choro da Alegria. Post-production by Jenny Moore.

Episode 16 of Finding Community features Dave Mowry, who shares his story of living with mental illness that cost him his business, his home, and the “lost years” as a husband and father. Through the unwavering support of his wife, Dave found NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and began his journey to reclaim his life. He is now Executive Director of NAMI Washington County and a best-selling author. Dave talks about the healing power of acceptance and community, and how telling our stories can help others see themselves and know they are not alone.

Transcripts available here: https://bit.ly/Ep16_Transcripts

Find NAMI Washington County at: https://www.washconami.org/
Find Dave's books at: https://amzn.to/3PAUArW

Learn more about VAN and our initiatives:
https://www.visionactionnetwork.org
https://www.facebook.com/VisionActionNetwork/
https://www.instagram.com/visionactionnetwork/

This episode was produced by Glenn Montgomery for Vision Action Network. Our audio editor and music producer is Mandana Khoshnevisan. Music by Choro da Alegria. Post-production by Jenny Moore.

Episode 15 of Finding Community features Cindy Cosenzo, who runs a business called Just Create Community, based out of Hillsboro, Oregon. She talks with Glenn about the inspiration for her business and how her work as a teacher, connector, and amplifier is designed to help people see each other’s humanity. Cindy’s work is focused on making people feel connected, safe, kind, and appreciated, and she teaches others to do the same through her trainings, programs, and community initiatives.

Transcripts available here: https://bit.ly/Ep15_transcripts

Find Just Create Community at: www.justcreatecommunity.com

Learn more about VAN and our initiatives:
https://www.visionactionnetwork.org
https://www.facebook.com/VisionActionNetwork/
https://www.instagram.com/visionactionnetwork/

This episode was produced by Glenn Montgomery for Vision Action Network. Our audio editor and music producer is Mandana Khoshnevisan. Music by Choro da Alegria. Post-production by Jenny Moore.

Episode 14 of Finding Community features Oregon State Senator Akasha Lawrence Spence. She talks with Glenn about the influence of her ancestors, of writers like bell hooks, and the determination of our youth. Together, they discuss the power and privilege of voting, of fostering a love ethic, and how listening to understand is key to serving the community.

Transcripts available here: https://bit.ly/Ep14_Transcripts

Learn more about VAN and our initiatives:
https://www.visionactionnetwork.org
https://www.facebook.com/VisionActionNetwork/
https://www.instagram.com/visionactionnetwork/

This episode was produced by Glenn Montgomery for Vision Action Network. Our audio editor and music producer is Mandana Khoshnevisan. Music by Choro da Alegria. Post-production by Jenny Moore.