After 9 amazing years of organizing with the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition it is with a heavy heart that I announce my departure from CIRC and my role as the North Region Organizing Manager. I will never lose my passion and commitment in creating change for my community but for the next few years I am focusing on what will undoubtedly be the greatest title and position I will ever have the honor of holding, which is being a mama to Lily, Leo and Luna. I think back to the journey and all the memories it’s provided, all the heartache and joy, the smiles and the tears, the members the friendships and so much more, I feel a great sense of joy and gratitude for the opportunity to be a part of CIRC.
I can’t help but smile when I think of how I first became a part of CIRC. The brilliant Julie Gonzales at the time was a Statewide Director, contacted me about an opportunity to travel to Florida and learn more about Immigration. I didn’t know much about what this entailed but I went for it! That opportunity was life changing, I learned to tell my story and how to help others tell theirs.This was powerful, never did I imagine that this tool would be a critical part of what would lead change for immigrants in our state and country. Over the years I’ve supported Immigrants and allies finding their voices and courage to speak and show power. Thank you to Julie and CIRC for believing in me and bringing me on to the team.
In 2009 We started with 3 North member organizations and am proud to say I have been able to help build our membership to 29 North Member Organizations across Northern Colorado that include Boulder, Longmont, Yuma, Ft. Morgan, Greeley and Ft. Collins! I have been able to travel and work alongside an extraordinary team of passionate, capable and committed people who day in and day out contribute greatly to the organization and the community it serves.
CIRC has helped me grow, I have witnessed change in my community and developed relationships that will last a lifetime. I
was given the opportunity to organize in my hometown of Longmont, a place which my Grandmother shared stories of having
signs on Main Street that read No Dogs or Mexicans allowed. One of my greatest takeaways is working alongside undocumented leaders who have learned their stories, take pride in their capabilities and have taken on opportunities and enormous challenges. I want to thank you for inspiring me in so many ways.
To the mothers and children who endured the detention of their partners and fathers during the raids in Ft. Morgan of 2011 and came together to organize;
To those who answered the call when our communities and families were being separated, profiled or detained, or who came to the aid of those impacted by the floods of 2013; To the youth who I have had the funnest time watching grow, travel for the first time, speak publicly, lobby, or participate in civic engagement for the first time, I say thank you; To the communities that have opened their doors to me, the same ones whose commitment and dedication has inspired me every step of the way, I say thank you. And of course to all my co-workers past and present, I say thank you from the bottom of my heart. Oh, I almost forgot, thank you to all of you for helping me with my awesome Spanish at all the meetings and trainings or helped me find that things that I lost along the way!
I cannot move on without thanking all of my family for all your support and guidance, I know at times it has been stressful and emotional.
I hope you understand that it is because of you that I am willing to face any challenge that confronts me. For you papito a hard working immigrant from Babicora Chihuahua who has worked tirelessly to provide a good life for your family, it gives me great pride when I hear you speak of the work I have had the responsibility of taking on. To you mamita, a 2nd generation Chicana who has always taught me the importance of civic engagement and has been a voice of social justice and who helped me discover my own, I am grateful for your love and support all these years. To my sisters Monica and Socorro for always helping me whenever I needed it, from helping at events to child care at the regionals. To my amazing partner Angel Sanchez, who I met through this work 9 years ago, you have literally been here since the beginning. Thank you for being the greatest support, being my chauffeur across the state of Colorado as we traveled long distances to serve our community. Thank you for always making me laugh throughout this journey, this is the story of us! And to my three kiddos for tagging along with mama wherever and whenever the community needed us and for understanding why I couldn’t always be home at night to tuck you in, for being sweet and caring and willing to step up to the mike and lead chants at the state capitol at only 2 years old, I am eternally grateful!
I know this page in my story is getting set to turn but I am happy to have been part of all the planning, actions, marches, sit ins, GOTV campaigns, statewide calls, conferences and retreats, and of course chasing elected officials across the state, sending mariachis and getting them kicked out from their office space!
But above it all, the most significant piece of the work and journey has been all of you, leaders, who have been the foundation and heart of this movement, it is because of all of you and your willingness to step up and stand up for your rights and rights of others that I will forever hold on to hope will and continue to fight. You amaze me at every turn, and you inspire me every moment of every day.
I love you all and I look forward to seeing you down the road. I will start my transition now and will be on staff until the CIRC Statewide Assembly ending September 30th.
I am grateful to be a part of the onboarding process for a new organizer! Please help us keep the North Region thriving by helping us find our new North Organizer. Help spread the word far and wide!
With warmest regards and the higher admiration, I send you all a heartfelt farewell but never goodbye.