EVENTS/EVENTOS

2008

Amigos and Juventud FACETA are featured 2007 grantees on the opening web page of McKenzie River Gathering Foundation (www.mrgfoundation.org.) The foundation provides financial resources to grass-roots organizations working on a variety of social change issues, including immigrant rights.

Representatives of Amigos and Juventud FACETA attend the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights in Houston from January 18-20, 2008, joining over 600 immigrant rights activists from across the U.S. Their trip to the conference, whose theme was "Claiming Our Rights, Envisioning Our Future: Communities Organizing for Justice," was supported by scholarships from NNIRR and from American Friends Service Committee Project Voice in Portland.

Juventud FACETA receives the 2008 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Leadership Award on January 21, 2008. Presented by the MLK Celebration Committee at its annual Martin Luther King Day event in Eugene, JF is recognized for its "contribution in the area of human rights and race relations" and for demonstrating "leadership in making Eugene a more inclusive and supportive city for its communities of color."

On February 8, 2008, Amigos and JF help CAUSA to host the Border Angels, a humanitarian organization that strives to save lives of immigrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. To support the Angels' Marcha Migrante III from San Diego to the U-S. Canada border and return, on February 8 Amigos joins with CAUSA and other local social justice groups to provide a potluck dinner welcome and lodging for Border Angel members. The next day, Amigos and JF help organize a Border Angels public forum at Cesar Chavez School and then show support for their cause by accompanying the Angels' vehicle caravan to PCUN in Woodburn.

Amigos joins the Grass Roots Table for Immigrant and Refugee Rights at a meeting held at PCUN headquarters in Woodburn on March 16, 2008. The statewide Grass Roots Table is co-convened by CAUSA and Portland's Center for Intercultural Organizing, and consists of immigrant and refugee rights organizations working to involve their base communities in defeating anti-immigrant ballot measures expected to be voted on in November.

Representatives of Amigos participate in a legal observer training organized by CAUSA. The March 22, 2008 training--held at Amigos' Whiteaker School facility in Eugene--is facilitated by Rose City Copwatch of Portland. It is aimed at preparing Eugene community members to serve as observers in situations where the legal rights of immigrants and their families could be subject to violation.

Amigos participates in the First Car Caravan to Promote Voter Registration and Celebrate Cesar Chavez's Legacy, April 12, 2008.  The event is organized by VOZ Hispana/PCUN.  Numerous immigrant rights supporters in over 200 vehicles took part in this highly visible and inspiring activity.  Voter registration was carried out at caravan stops in Independence, Salem, and Woodburn. 

2007

Article: Suzi Steffen, "Their Space: Teen Center Opens to Anticipation, Elation," Eugene Weekly (January 18, 2007). Juventud FACETA's ally LEAD opens its downtown Eugene teen center, Nuestro Lugar/Our Place, developed with JF members' active support.

Amigos and Juventud FACETA participate in the People of Color Action Academy, January 27, 2007, in Salem. The gathering serves to build alliances between Oregon's Latino and African American communities on human rights issues.

In January 2007, Amigos and Juventud FACETA form a partnership with the Trauma Healing Project in Eugene, lending assistance to the Project in its efforts to provide counseling, mentoring, and other services to youth who are survivors of violence and other trauma.

Representatives of Amigos and Juventud FACETA commence work with the Gender, Family, and Immigration in the Northwest Project of the University of Oregon to plan a series of local community meetings leading up to a major conference to be held at the University of Oregon Law School in 2008.

Article: Thelma Guerrero, "Immigration-reform Groups to Gather in Washington, D.C.," Statesman Journal (January 30, 2007). A representive of Juventud FACETA is part of a CAUSA delegation from Oregon joining immigrant rights organizations from more than 30 states for a summit Jan. 30-Feb. 1, 2007, to form a unified agenda for winning comprehensive immigration reform and lobbying Congressional offices.

A Juventud FACETA member participates in a University of Oregon panel, February 8, 2007, entitled "One-and-a-half Generation Mexican Youth in Oregon: Pursuing the Mobility Dream," addressing educational and employment challenges facing Latino youth who are new immigrants to the United States.

Two representatives of Amigos and Juventud FACETA are among immigrants from over 30 states in Washington, D.C., to petition Congress for fair, just immigration reform as part of National Days of Advocacy, March 12-13. This trip is made under the auspices of the American Friends Service Committee Project Voice.

Elizabeth Sampedro, member of both Juventud FACETA and the Amigos board of directors, is a recipient of the 3rd Annual Oregon Children's Award for Youth Leaders on April 26, 2007 in Salem. She is honored for her work in helping to create LEAD's Nuestra Lugar/Our Place Teen Center in Eugene, for which she serves as co-coordinator. The Award is given by the Northwest Early Childhood Institute and the Oregon Commission on Children and Families

Amigos and Juventud FACETA join other immigration rights allies for the May 1, 2007, rally at the state capitol in Salem. Afterwards, representatives of Amigos, CAUSA, Community Alliance of Lane County, Eugene-Springfield Solidarity Network, and the American Civil Liberties Union-Oregon join together to visit state legislators' offices to speak against Oregon implementation of the federal Real ID Act and on behalf of the state tuition equity bill.

On May 11, 2007, Amigos and Juventud FACETA members help to organize and facilitate a community forum and discussion at Eugene's Cesar Chavez School on "Myths and Facts About Latin-American Immigration," an event sponsored by the Gender, Families and Immigration in the Northwest Project, Center for the Study of Women in Society, University of Oregon.

Juventud FACETA members Gabriela Trujillo and Elizabeth Sampedro are honored with Outstanding Latina Student Awards at a community event held for Lane County Latina/o students on May 15, 2007, at Springfield High School.

Several representatives from Juventud FACETA, along with Amigos' Youth Coordinator, join in making a panel presentation on the troublesome experiences of young Latinas and Latinos in the United States at the Eighteenth Annual Cultural Diversity Conference held at Willamette University in Salem on May 24, 2007.

Basic Rights Oregon conducts a well-attended training on "Immigrant rights and the GLBTQ Community" on June 21, 2007, at Amigos' office. (At Amigos' invitation, a BRO organizer as well as two CAUSA interns have begun sharing Amigos' office space.)

A member of Juventud FACETA participates in a panel at the June 21-22, 2007, "Before It's Too Late" conference on prevention of gangs and other high-risk youth behaviors held at Cottage Grove High school. Sponsors include Lane County Youth Services in cooperation with Oregon Youth Authority.

Amigos and Juventud FACETA members attend the 17th Annual Summer School for Union Women and Community Activists, held June 27-July 1, 2007, at Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA. The annual event, which develops women's leadership skills in addressing social justice issues, is sponsored by the Labor Education and Research Center.

Juventud FACETA tables on immigrant rights as human rights at the 2007 Youth Celebration, July 30, in downtown Eugene. The event is sponsored by the Youth Action Board (La Junta de Acción).

Representatives of Amigos and Juventud FACETA participate with other social justice activists in Western States Center's Community Strategic Training Institute, August 3-5, 2007, at Reed College in Portland. Hundreds of activists from the Northwest region attend.

Amigos and Juventud FACETA join with CAUSA and other local allies at 4J Schools on August 21, 2007, to provide a training on immigrant rights and family emergency preparedness for faith community leaders and others who work with or for Latino immigrant families in the Eugene-Springfield area.

Juventud FACETA and Amigos join Latino community members marching in unity in the Eugene Celebration Parade, September 8, 2007, wearing t-shirts with the message "Yo Soy Americano/I Am American." On September 8-9, Amigos tables for immigrant rights at the Celebration's Community Causeway.

Amigos and Juventud FACETA have a booth offering immigrant rights information at the Fiesta Latina Celebration in Springfield, September 14-16.

CAUSA, Amigos and Juventud FACETA present an immigrant rights and family preparedness informational event for Latino immigrant families residing in Lane County, September 28, 2007, at the Whiteaker School.

"Bailando por Nuestra Libertad/Dancing for Our Freedom." Amigos organizes a benefit event on September 29, 2007, at Whiteaker School to support its immigrant rights work and the activities of Juventud FACETA.

Juventud FACETA members give an invited lecture, "Dia de los Muertos," October 24, 2007, at Maude Kerns Art Center to open up the Center's annnual Day of the Dead exhibit. The youth contribute a traditional Dia de los Muertos altar to the exhibit.

Members of Juventud FACETA present a workshop on immigrant rights as human rights at the Oregon Peacemakers Conference held for middle- and high-school students at Lane Community College, November 14.

Amigos and Juventud FACETA host their annual Las Posadas community event on December 21 at the Whiteaker School, incorporating immigrant rights themes into this traditional holiday celebration for Latino families.

2006

Members of Juventud FACETA are among the 100+ activists attending the Immigrant and Refugee Rights Training Institute, April 7-9, 2006, conducted by the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights in Portland. Afterwards, JF members participate in the immigrant rights rally held at the capitol building in Salem.

Juventud FACETA helps to mobilize many of the hundreds of youth participants in a rally for comprehensive immigration reform, April 10, 2006, at the Federal Building in Eugene. See article: Susan Palmer, "Students Bear the Flag at Immigration Rally," The Register Guard (April 11, 2006).

Article: "Teen Center Moves Ahead," Eugene Weekly (April 27, 2006). Juventud FACETA partners with LEAD, a low-income youth organization, to establish a downtown Eugene teen center, Nuesta Lugar/Our Place Teen Center.

A Juventud FACETA member is co-host of the speaker program for "A Day Without Immigrants," a May 1, 2006, rally in support of comprehensive immigration reform, held at Eugene's Federal Building. JF members helped to organize and mobilize many participants.

Article: Lewis Taylor, "So Happy to be in Their Space," The Register Guard (May 21, 2006). Juventud FACETA and LEAD plan the move into a space acquired for a new downtown Eugene teen center.

Article: "Know Your Derechos," Eugene Weekly (June 8, 2006). Juventud FACETA, in conjunction with American Friends Service Committee's Project Voice, hosts a "Know Your Rights" training on Immigrant Rights Are Human Rights on June 10. It is aimed at Spanish-speaking families in the local community.

Article: Terra Williams, "Working Hard for Our Place: Teens and Adults Partner to Bring Teen Center to Reality," Eugene Weekly (August 10, 2006). Juventud FACETA helps LEAD and others prepare new Eugene teen center for opening.

Juventud FACETA participates in Western State Center's Community Strategic Training Initiative, August 11-13, 2006, at Reed College in Portland, along with 400 activists from several neighboring states.

Members of Juventud FACETA create an altar for the Day of the Dead exhibit at Maude Kerns Art Center, October 13 to November 3, 2006. The altar is dedicated to the innocents who perished in the recent attacks on communities in Israel and Lebanon. Several members also participate in a Folklorico dance presentation at the October 13 opening.

Article: Suzi Steffen, "Celebrate Los Jovenes," Eugene Weekly (October 19, 2006). Amigos to host a celebration in honor of Juventud FACETA.

Amigos and CAUSA honor Juventud FACETA for its community service, leadership, and human rights activities at an October 20, 2006, Open House at Amigos' new location in the old Whiteaker Elementary School in Eugene. Taking note of the occasion, Mayor Kitty Piercy states in a communication to Amigos: "You Know I support your work and will be there for you whenever I can. I am proud of these youth and their important roles in our community."

Juventud FACETA members participate in, and facilitate a training session at the First Gathering of Human Rights Promoters in the Northwest Region. The event, November 2-5, 2006, in Molala, Oregon, includes community members and organizers from Oregon and Washington, and is coordinated by the American Friends Service Committee.

Amigos and Juventud FACETA invite members of the community to join in celebrating La Posada Navideña and International Migrants Day on December 20, 2006, at their Whiteaker School location in Eugene.

2005

Members of Juventud FACETA attend the People of Color Academy in Salem on February 19. 2005, to learn about immigrant rights and farmworker issues, advocacy strategies, and community mobilization plans.

Juventud FACETA members participate in training by the National Immigration Law Center in Salem, March 28, 2005, focusing on immigrant rights, immigration reform, and the DREAM Act.

A Juventud FACETA member is a key speaker at Springfield's third annual commemoration of the life of Latino leader Cesar Chavez, April 12, 2005, at Springfield's City Hall.

Juventud FACETA collaborates with PCUN, Rural Organizing Project, Oregon Action, and CAUSA in the opening ceremony and march from Salem, "Walk for Truth, Justice, and Community," to support worker and immigrant rights, June 12, 2005.

Juventud FACETA represents Positive Youth Development-Oregon at the National Youth Summit, July 28-30, 2005, in Washington, D.C.

Members of Juventud FACETA participate in the 2nd Annual Immigrants and Refugee Rights Training Institute, September 30-October 2, 2005, in Oakland, California.

Juventud FACETA creates a Day of the Dead altar at Maude Kerns Art Center, which is on display October 21-November 11, 2005. It is dedicated to the victims of Hurricane Stan which hit the east-central coast of Mexico in early October.

Juventud FACETA participates in a community-wide Immigration Town Meeting, giving testimonies on the need for passage of the DREAM Act and comprehensive immigration reform. November 16, 2005, at the Cesar Chavez Elementary School.