In 1966, community services director Gracie Garcia was six years old when her Tejano farmworker family of 8 packed their bags and made the journey from Texas to Oregon to work in the fields. As farmworkers, Gracie and her family lived in migrant camps for several years and tried to save money to one day own a home of their own. After about three years, their dream became a reality - they established roots by...
Eleven years ago, Kaylen Miller was searching for volunteer opportunities in the greater Portland area and came across Bienestar. “Their mission really resonated with me, and I reached out to Gracie, the Community Services Director,” Kaylen stated. After speaking with both Gracie and Karen Shawcross, former Executive Director, Kaylen felt welcomed and encouraged to create a project at the organization and was given the freedom...
Las celebraciones del 40 aniversario de Bienestar continúan con Camino al Bienestar: Panel de Narración de Voces de la Comunidad. Nuestro segundo evento de tres este año honra a los héroes queridos y cercanos al fomento y trabajo de liderazgo de Bienestar. El panel congrega a...
Community Voices Part 2: Storytelling Panel. Featuring stories from: Alejandro Ortega, Gracie Garcia, and Juan Carlos Aguilera. Bienestar’s 40 year anniversary celebrations continue with Camino al Bienestar: Community Voices Storytelling Panel. Our second event of three this year honors the heroes near and dear to Bienestar’s advocacy...
Calling all history buffs, librarians, and Google search gurus! For Bienestar’s 40th anniversary celebration, we’re looking to the past to gain deeper knowledge and understanding of the events that shaped both Bienestar and the region. If you’re interested in the history of affordable housing, the Chicano movement, and farmworkers’...
