Celebrating 5 Years of Mt. Hood Unida

By Cristina Saldivar, For The Mountain Times

Recently, Mt. Hood Unida’s Board met to prepare for our next year of events and programs. As we began the meeting, we proudly recounted what we’ve accomplished in the past five years: hosting 15 events that celebrate the culture and contributions of Latinx people in our community; offering sports scholarships so everyone can participate in activities they enjoy; bringing local youth and their families to cultural celebrations in Portland; offering trainings, workshops, and community resources; and spending time with countless community members at events, farmers’ market booths, and beyond.

As we look ahead to our next five years, we feel just as passionate about the importance of events (like Fiesta Latina - more on that later!) and programs that bring us together. We’re often asked, “If I’m not a Latino/Latina, can I attend a Mt. Hood Unida event?” Yes, of course! We welcome all community members at our events and programs. In fact, the answer to another common question - “How can I help?” - is the same: come to our events! Belonging occurs when we not only build bridges, we use them.

Our community will have a great opportunity to come together this September when we host our sixth annual Fiesta Latina, a celebration of Latinx heritage. We’ll have yummy food, cheerful music, cool vendors, and more. Our exact date and location are TBD; we hope to see you there!