A Sunday for Clarity and Courage

This past Sunday, neighbors gathered for our first OCRRN training in Spanish. From the beginning, we planned with one goal in mind; to make it feel right for our community, engaging, simple and real.That is exactly what happened.

It moved me to see how each of our hearts showed up. One volunteer brought her lived experience and deep passion. Another brought her desire to serve and to share information in ways that feel accessible. A third volunteer brought her love and commitment to families and her educator’s heart. I showed up as part of Unidos and as a person who is also directly impacted, someone who believes deeply in the power we hold when we come together.

Together we created something beautiful, a space where people felt seen, supported and empowered, and where we remembered that we are not alone. We spent time naming the tactics that rely on fear and misinformation, and we practiced replacing them with calm, accurate information neighbors can trust. My biggest takeaway is that when we plan with dignity at the center and lead with lived experience, neighbors do more than receive help, they discover their own voice.

On Sunday we proved to ourselves that we are our best protection.


With a full heart, 
Miriam Zuniga
Lead Facilitator/Adult Program Director