Knowledge is power, and living in a border city, El Pasoans learn to adapt to an ever-changing environment of cultures, politics and lifestyle. Understanding what is happening around oneself is important, but also taking the time to discover the resources available can save both time and stress in the future.
On Feb. 16, local organizations collaborated with non–profits and service providers to create the event “Together Juntos” a community resource and civic fair, all in attempt to lend knowledge of local services to those who may need it most.
Dozens of organizations collaborated on this family friendly event. From Border Network for Human Rights, Save the Children Action Network, to Congresswoman Veronica Escobar and Representative Chris Canales. All with the same goal in mind, to build a more informed and active community.
Aracely Merez, an attendee at the resource fair explained how simply attending events like “Together Juntos” can get things moving in the community.
“There’s a lot of information here, even though these organizations are with us every day, we don’t pay attention,” Merez said. Sometimes we need to come to these types of events in order to get information about specific things. We need to get informed and pay attention to what’s going on in the community.”
The El Paso community made attendance as music played and representatives spoke, taking the time to learn a lot more about things they may have known little about.
Many may have come for the uncertainty they felt around the changes the border is experiencing. Betty Gomez, a promoter for Border Network for Human Rights explained how she informs the community.
“My job is to let people know we’re here for them, and for them to learn,” Gomez said. “For this event, we truly want people to know they are not alone. We support them, we fight for them.”
Flyers that read “conoce tus derechos” were passed along as other promoters spoke with people about their concerns. Lorey Gonzalez-Flores is the program manager for the Office of New Americans for the county of El Paso. This organization provides services to immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers in the community.
“We provide language access, help them with small business startup, and citizenship. Our goal– our job is to connect them with the resources so they can start the process.” Gonzalez-Flores said.
As the community goes through many changes, she explains that it can become difficult interpreting what is true and what isn’t, leading many people in and outside of El Paso to believe false information.
“Our goal as Office of New Americans is working towards changing the narrative. Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation out there, my goal is to go into communities and make sure people understand what is actually happening,” Gonzalez-Flores said. “My hope is that instead of basing their thoughts and opinions on what they see on the news, that they get involved and see that much of what’s being promoted is not the reality. “A big component of the fair was advocating for those who need it most. Identifying vulnerable groups and figuring out how to volunteer, donate and support them is another purpose of community fairs like “Together Juntos”.
Ivy Saavedra, volunteer with Save the Children Action Network, an organization that teaches community members how to advocate for themselves and children explained how families many families may be feeling in regard to discrimination.
“A lot of families are scared to voice an opinion because of fear of more discrimination,” Saavedra said. “We come from a very tight-knit city; I think that is a great advantage for us. We’ve seen a lot of newer people coming into our neighborhoods, and they might not be aware of all the resources that are available to them. Giving them the opportunity to create outreach– I think it’s great for families [and] the community.”
The dozens of tables set up, pamphlets being held out, the occasional stickers and pins- came information like no other. In the palms of attendees were the answers to their future questions and the contacts they never thought they’d need one day, provided from people whose purpose is to amplify their voices.
Vianah Vasquez is a writer contributor and may be reached at [email protected].
