Civic Leadership & Advocacy
We work with our community to build civic engagement skills and promote systems change, while also supporting local governments in implement racial equity into master plans & community engagement plans.
Our programs are led by our Director of Community Partnerships & Civic Engagement Mariana Valenzuela. She can be reached at mvalenzuela@centrocultural.org to learn more and register.
Our programs are led by our Director of Community Partnerships & Civic Engagement Mariana Valenzuela. She can be reached at mvalenzuela@centrocultural.org to learn more and register.
Current Projects
Climate Justice Leaders
A leadership program designed for High School incoming Juniors and Seniors taking place for the 2nd year in the summer of 2019. The program is designed to help youth of color learn about the environment and civic engagement through the lens of climate change. Program modules include topics covering: wildlife, local watersheds, invasive species and native plans, public testimony and botany identification. The program also offers unique field trip & leadership experiences around the State of Oregon.
Registration is open for Summer 2020
A leadership program designed for High School incoming Juniors and Seniors taking place for the 2nd year in the summer of 2019. The program is designed to help youth of color learn about the environment and civic engagement through the lens of climate change. Program modules include topics covering: wildlife, local watersheds, invasive species and native plans, public testimony and botany identification. The program also offers unique field trip & leadership experiences around the State of Oregon.
Registration is open for Summer 2020
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Master Recyclers (Bilingual) - Steward Program
A partnership with Washington County Solid Waste & Recycling and Metro to help local community members learn how to better recycle & become environmental advocates in their neighborhoods with Spanish programming. Program participants will have the option to serve as Environmental Community Promoters, with a $15/hour stipend upon graduation of the program. Register for the Master Recyclers Program here. |
Past Projects
Cornelius Town Center Plan
The Centro Cultural Communications team supported the successful completion of the 2018 Cornelius Town Center Plan by leading bilingual outreach, translating technical documents, hosting focus groups and implementing a racial equity framework into the plan. Our engagement brought community members from all socio-economic backgrounds to provide input on zoning, transportation, safety, business priorities and civic amenities.
The Centro Cultural Communications team supported the successful completion of the 2018 Cornelius Town Center Plan by leading bilingual outreach, translating technical documents, hosting focus groups and implementing a racial equity framework into the plan. Our engagement brought community members from all socio-economic backgrounds to provide input on zoning, transportation, safety, business priorities and civic amenities.
Chehalem Ridge Nature Park Master Plan - Phase I
Our flagship partnership with Metro that kicked off our Civic Leadership work.
"The work with Centro Cultural is just one of a number of collaborations through Partners in Nature, Metro’s program with culturally specific organizations throughout the region to better connect diverse communities with nature. The partnership between Centro Cultural and Metro will help make Chehalem Ridge more welcoming to the region’s increasingly diverse residents." - Article by Metro
Our civic leadership & advocacy spearheaded innovative engagement initiatives that empowered a cohort of leaders to participate in the project by offering bilingual nature university training, preparing community members to lead tours for regional stakeholders, hosting series-based focus groups and information sessions, and helping our community interact with policymakers to create equitable outcomes. Learn more about our partnership with Metro on the Metro website.
"The work with Centro Cultural is just one of a number of collaborations through Partners in Nature, Metro’s program with culturally specific organizations throughout the region to better connect diverse communities with nature. The partnership between Centro Cultural and Metro will help make Chehalem Ridge more welcoming to the region’s increasingly diverse residents." - Article by Metro
Our civic leadership & advocacy spearheaded innovative engagement initiatives that empowered a cohort of leaders to participate in the project by offering bilingual nature university training, preparing community members to lead tours for regional stakeholders, hosting series-based focus groups and information sessions, and helping our community interact with policymakers to create equitable outcomes. Learn more about our partnership with Metro on the Metro website.
Master Recyclers (Bilingual) - Steward Program
On Friday, June 6, 14 members of the Latino community graduated as members of Master Recycler Class 73. They are the first all-Spanish Master Recycler class in the county and in the region. The class was a collaboration among Washington County Solid Waste & Recycling, the Master Recycler Program and Centro Cultural de Washington County, which combined resources, experience and community relationships to make this a success. The Master Recycler Program focuses on providing education and outreach focused on sustainable consumption, waste prevention, toxics, composting and recycling. We are very proud of them and wish them luck in their volunteer adventures.
Read Press Release in English here.
Lea El Comunicado de Prensa en Español.
On Friday, June 6, 14 members of the Latino community graduated as members of Master Recycler Class 73. They are the first all-Spanish Master Recycler class in the county and in the region. The class was a collaboration among Washington County Solid Waste & Recycling, the Master Recycler Program and Centro Cultural de Washington County, which combined resources, experience and community relationships to make this a success. The Master Recycler Program focuses on providing education and outreach focused on sustainable consumption, waste prevention, toxics, composting and recycling. We are very proud of them and wish them luck in their volunteer adventures.
Read Press Release in English here.
Lea El Comunicado de Prensa en Español.