“I told them I’d be by their side.”

Yesterday I had the opportunity to visit friends who are residents of a nearby neighborhood. Natividad and I were invited to Marisol's house, where we shared some treats, and they shared some challenges they are facing in their neighborhood. Both are asking tough questions and having necessary conversations about how to improve their community.

As I listened to their experiences, I noticed some similarities with our context in the Capistrano Villas. I shared with them what we've learned, and told them I’ll be by their side.

At Unidos, our work goes beyond the limits of Capistrano Villas.

Our neighborhood-based model identifies the Capistrano Villas as the relational center of a community, like the center of a web. From there, the impact, learnings and empowerment spread out further and further. This conversation was just a glimpse into that. We will continue to share resources and learnings with Natividad and Marisol to strengthen their leadership and advocacy capacity for their own neighborhood.

-Miriam Zuñiga

Adult Programming Director