Inter-colonias Exchange/Equal Voices for American Families

More than 200 families from Doña Ana County in New Mexico were involved in the Equal Voices for American Families Campaign. The Colonias Development Council, in collaboration with the Doña Ana County Department of Health and Human Services and other local organizations and community leaders, worked hard to mobilize entire families to attend the National Convention in Los Angeles held on October 5, 2008. After the LA convention, all participants returned motivated and energized to encourage other members from their communities to get involved in steps for the future.

On September 20, 2008, the CDC convened the first post-trip meeting with the team leaders that went to the convention. The purpose of this meeting was to evaluate their experiences and talk about possible next steps for the campaign. The turnout was good, with 11 members from different communities in attendance, including several youth. They shared their ideas and comments, and most importantly, their commitment.

Evaluation and/or perception of the event and of the participants:

Positive

• Opportunity
• Enthusiasm
• Youth
• Latinos/as
• Diveristy
• Muliticulural unity
• Solidarity
• Repect
• Participation
• Our voices were heard

To improve

• Coordination
• Communication
• Information on time
• Logistics and equipment
• No one knew who was in charge of the equipment
• Promote more opportunities for youth organizing
• Continue empowering families
• Promote more individual responsibility
• More technical capacity
• More resources

Next Steps and Commitments:

1. Create spaces for youth organizing and coordinate with those that already exist.- Doña Ana County, Youth Action, LULAC, CDC, Peer Educators, and individual youth that are currently not part of any organization- Promote the development of leadership among youth.- Encourage more youth promoters in the different communities.- Look for resources.
2. 2. Local Forum (before or after the elections) Part 1 - Exchange and dialogue between the communities, including space for the youth. Part 2 - Dialogue with politicians to introduce them to the political platform of the communities.
3. 3. February 25th - Colonias Day in Santa Fe, Legislative Session. Mobilize families to meet with their legislators and address their community priorities.