#communityorganizing

In their own words, four organizers discuss why they push for public policies that truly represent the Latinx community — and work to protect access to health care.

Planned Parenthood health centers provide care to communities across the country — people of all colors, all gender expressions, regardless of income, education, or immigration status. But that care affects each of our communities in different ways.

The Latinx people who power Planned Parenthood can attest to that truth, and can speak from knowledge about how their life experience informs the ways Planned Parenthood speaks about — and works to protect and expand — access to health care

We want you to meet a few of the Latinx members of the Planned Parenthood family — and to learn from them, in their own words, about the importance of the work they do every day.

Angelica Romero Raíz Organizer, Planned Parenthood Arizona

1. How long have you worked at Planned Parenthood?

I am a new Raíz organizer and have been on staff for five months — but I was a Raíz volunteer for two years.

2. Why did you come to work at PP?

I got involved with PP because I knew this administration would attack women — but specifically women of color like myself. Planned Parenthood not only focuses on health care for all, but also advocates for immigrant rights so I thought it would be the perfect route to fight for the injustices that matter to me.

3. What does the Raíz organizing work mean to you?

Organizing with Raíz is like organizing for our roots and where we come from. Educating our communities of color on reproductive care issues is something powerful because at times, our people are the ones who are being left out of the reproductive care conversations. Seeing my mom be educated about the services we provide and being able to break the abortion stigma she held is something powerful, and even more empowering when it can be done to many other women like my mother through the Raíz program.

Norma Jimenez Specialist, Latino Leadership and Engagement, Planned Parenthood Federation of America

1. How long have you worked at Planned Parenthood?

I started my involvement with Planned Parenthood in Phoenix in 2014 when President Obama rolled out the Affordable Care Act (ACA). At the time I was working with a Planned Parenthood group called Community Connect —  which I had heard about when a friend who knew I was looking for an internship related to health care emailed to say, “you should apply to this.” That job focused on helping Latinx people and people of color get health insurance. Over the course of six months, I walked neighborhoods, knocked on over 100 doors, mainly Spanish-speaking  households, and assisted them in enrolling and choosing a healthcare plan that would work for them and their families through the ACA.

After the enrollment period ended, I continued to engage with Planned Parenthood locally and kept working with Latinx folks through a program called Raíz. As an organizer with Raíz, I helped get sex-ed policies  adopted by local school districts and provided an educational forums and pláticas to Spanish-speaking communties and partners. I decided that I wanted to continue being connected with Planned Parenthood, and now, I am working with the strategic partnerships team at the national office in DC.  

2. Why did you come to work at PP?

I grew up in a Catholic household in a Mexican family. At a young age, I was made aware to never let anyone touch my body without my permission; or if I was ever made uncomfortable by a male or anyone, to let my mom or grandma know. That was it. All other topics related to reproductive care, education or health care were not talked about. When I was in middle school, my body started to develop faster than many other of my girl friends. I hid my body under loose clothing when I went to school and hated my body because I was starting to look like a woman. During this time, I also got my period (in middle school) during class and I was so scared. That moment changed me. I was scared, confused and I felt alone and questioned, "why me?" — as if I was broken and I had done something wrong. I had to learn how to navigate that time and moment on my own. My family didn’t talk to me about it. They didn’t know how.

I understood soon enough that many of our moms, and loved ones don’t know how to bring up the subject of reproductive care to their children. Many of our parents think our teachers should be educating us on “sex topics” when in reality, comprehensive sex education is not taught in school at all.

This is why I have decided to work with Planned Parenthood.  Planned Parenthood is the country's largest sex education provider as well as the go-to provider for reproductive health care for  people. Planned Parenthood was there for me when I needed my first annual exam. They were there when I needed to learn about my birth control options and most importantly, Planned Parenthood helped me find my voice, and my identity. I learned to love my body unconditionally. I want all young people to know they are not alone, and it’s okay to feel confused and scared. Planned Parenthood is here for you.

3. What does the Raíz organizing work mean to you?

My first time learning to unpack all the bottled-up feelings and trauma I had since I was little, was through Raíz. Raíz provided me with resources and skills to help me develop my professional career. To be empowered, to make my own choices while at the same time being true to the values my family had instilled in me. I identify as an immigrant, as a woman, as a Latina, as a feminist, as the first to go to college, as a survivor.

Raíz is not just another Planned Parenthood program. Raíz uplifts our people, our communities, it empowers people to be true advocates for what they believe. Raíz advocates for justice and helps change policies for the betterment of our families and selves. Raíz works with our moms, abuelitas, with teens, students, with community partners to work on issues that are important to us.

Raíz organizers know we are not single-issue people who live single-issue lives. Raíz upholds our culture, our races, our people and more than anything, trust and family.

Victoria Ruiz-Marin Raíz Organizing Specialist, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains

1. How long have you worked at Planned Parenthood?

I have worked for Planned Parenthood since January of 2017. I was hired by PPFA as a Raíz Organizer to engage the Latinx community in Las Vegas. At the start of 2018 I transitioned into my local affiliate, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains.

2. Why did you come to work at PP?

I decided to work for Planned Parenthood because I recognized the lifesaving medical services  they provide each and every day to women and people who need it most. As an undocumented individual who did not have a maternal figure during my adolescence due to unjust immigration policies, I found myself with a pregnancy scare and no knowledge of how to proceed during my high school years. During that stressful time in my life, Planned Parenthood was there for me. The nurse who saw me was kind. She addressed my concerns, and talked to me about the birth control options that were available.

As I grew older I realized that several women in my community had not accessed reproductive health care, because of barriers rooted in discrimination. When I was approached about the position with Raíz, I was excited for the opportunity to engage other Latinx community members around access to reproductive health care and the protection of our reproductive rights. The Latinx community is one of the most marginalized and underserved; I knew that through Raíz I would be able to unite my community in order to drive the change needed to protect our reproductive rights.

3. What does the Raíz organizing work mean to you? The work being done through Raíz means I’m able to give back to my community by empowering them to become leaders who advocate for their reproductive freedom. Through Raíz, we can collectively break down the existing barriers that keep us from accessing health care. Organizing my community allows me to uplift their voices and experiences to affect policy and ensure our access to reproductive health care, and hold our elected officials accountable. Raíz is truly about justice and building the most authentic and sustainable partnerships among Latinx folks.

Joshua Alba Raíz Fellow, Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts

1. How long have you worked at Planned Parenthood?

I’ve worked at Planned Parenthood since late August 2018 — so, nine months.

2. Why did you come to work at PP?

Coming to work at Planned Parenthood was not initially part of my plan, so it was a surprise. As a cis-male Latino, I had always seen Planned Parenthood as a womxn’s organization, even though I’ve sought its services. I decided to take the opportunity, because I realized that all the reading and healing that I’ve been doing for myself, with my partners, family and friends, around  trauma and toxicity stemmed from my relationships with my body, and everyone around me. I still get shook when I register just how fundamental sexual and reproductive health is to identity, empowerment, connection — and how basic health is to all of us.

3. What does the Raíz organizing work mean to you?

This weekend I will be hosting one of the Swing Left House Parties to drum up community support for progressive candidates in the midterm elections. This is a first for me, and as I’ve been navigating the process I thought I’d share what I’ve learned with you. I encourage everyone to make a plan this week to host a party or meeting for a cause you care about.

* First, determine the cause you plan on supporting, and the purpose of the meeting. This could be as simple as gathering a few friends at a coffeeshop and calling your reps about an upcoming bill, or hosting some acquaintances for a sign-making party before a protest. The meeting should have a definable purpose - while it’s great for us to vent our feelings with like-minded people, the idea behind this is to organize people into action.

* Determine the scale and location of your event. How many people can you accommodate at home? Would it work better to host it somewhere public? Are you comfortable inviting strangers or having invited guests bring friends?

* See if you can get hooked up with a larger organizing body. I’m connecting my event to Swing Left, but there are lots of options for this. Indivisible is a good option for making a larger connection. This is helpful because larger groups can supply you with an agenda, talking points, and other resources for your meeting (including, in some cases, the attendees). 

* Speaking of an agenda, this is a crucial part of your meeting. A meeting agenda will help you feel organized and confident as you lead the meeting. It will also help keep you on schedule.

* Help people get to know each other. Don’t skip over introductions and personal stories - these help us feel connected and motivated to act. Introduce people you know to one another, break people into pairs to chat, or go round robin and have people explain why they chose to attend the meeting. Building a sense of community is an important part of political organizing.

* Create an inviting atmosphere. Provide food and drinks if possible, or ask people to participate in a pot luck. Play some music, set up chairs, and make it a social event in addition to a political one.

* Use social media tools or organizational tools like Action Network to invite guests or find events.

Wolfgang Goede wurde die Ehre zuteil, den Speaker unserer Gemeinsinn-Konferenz 2011 mit ein paar Zeilchen zum Jubiläum zu würdigen, war schon ein gelungenes Ding, damals im OEBZ — time is flying … Honoree Jim Capraro was profiled for an article on “Community Spirit” in Credo, a Swiss international publication on philanthropy in 2014. (via Issuu) Dear Wolfgang, We’re excited for our upcoming 50th anniversary gala at the Fairlie. Here are the details: The celebration will take place Thursday October 24, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Fairlie, 339 N. Bell Ave. Chicago, IL 60612. Get your ticket or sponsorship at greatersouthwest50.eventbrite.com. We hope you can join us! We also wanted to share a story about our work from an angle that most people don’t know about. While most of us know Greater Southwest Development Corporation for its work here in Chicago, Wolfgang Goede brings a global perspective. Goede, who lived at 67th and Damen when he visited Chicago in the early 1970s to learn about community organizing, met our inaugural Visionary Award honoree Jim Capraro then and went on to collaborate with him in multiple ways over the years. Here he shares a story about Jim and how our work has influenced thinkers in Germany, Latin America, and beyond.

A conference on comprehensive community development sponsored by Local Initiatives Support Corp. in Chicago in 2012 featured among others (left to right): Maren Schüpphaus from Munich, Francesca Santaniello from Milan and Bergamo, Jim Capraro, and Wolfgang Goede from Munich & Medellin. “Mister International, James Capraro—Opportunities come from relationships” I first met “Cappy,” as we called him back then, in 1972. I had come to Chicago as a German volunteer to learn community organizing. West Englewood, Little Lithuania, Greater Lawn: I got to know the Southwest Side like the back of my hand at door knocking and block club meetings. Jim, a resourceful teacher of organizing skills and a great door opener, also with his buddies. (Meanwhile, the ‘Germans’ House’ where I and other volunteers lived on 67th Place and Damen became the most visited party location in the area). “Opportunities come from relationships” is Jim’s mantra .  The closer, the happier—and the more these relationships can generate civic power. Jim is a broker for relational power. I have seen his work influence policy in his hometown of Chicago but also in 30 other U.S. cities and beyond, in the transatlantic triangle between the U.S., Europe, and South America. We worked together on some of these including on a series of trainings in Munich, Milan and Medellín in the 2010 years. The focus of much of this work is the Comprehensive Community Development method (CCD) that Jim developed from community organizing. It’s a fusion of citizen empowerment and entrepreneurship, underpinned by best practices developed while at Greater Southwest Development Corporation. Southwest Chicago was a microcosm of the current global challenges around integration, housing, education, jobs. Jim used his experience and insights to teach international folks how to tackle these issues.

Jim brought the Greater Southwest model to a community development conference in Medellín, Colombia in 2015. ( Photo by Wolfgang Goede)

Community Spirit

“Community spirit” is the heart of the method. As conference curator and community participation expert Maren Schüpphaus, put it in an essay, Comprehensive Community Development is the synergy of one's own concerns and civic spirit within the political context, but apart from the electoral process. This became a key message for activists and Germany’s quite top-down democracy. Outside Germany, Jim’s impact has been felt in Colombia, as well, where Anneli Seifert featured him and his work at a training at Medellín's Antioquia University in 2015. Jim’s training refreshed this spirit in a country divided by decades of guerrilla warfare and entering the post conflict. Seifert saw Jim as following in the footsteps of a great humanist, Alexander von Humboldt. Von Humboldt, whose journey of discovery took him through Colombia in 1801, was also inspired by community. Von Humboldt wanted people to share empathy, responsibility and a sense of interconnectedness within local communities throughout the world based on an eternal bond between nature and humanity. This trail leads to another famous scholar: the Frenchman Alexis de Tocqueville, whose book Democracy in America praised the public spirit of voluntary associations—of which, 200 years later, Greater Southwest is a shining beacon. Congratulations board, members and staff, volunteers, donors and supporters, last but not least Jim! Wolfgang Chr. Goede. Munich and Medellín Political Scientist, Journalist, Facilitator Community Organizer 1972-1976 Chicago | San Francisco Thank you for reading! We hope you can join us on October 24. Get tickets and info at GreaterSouthwest50.eventbrite.com   - All of us at Greater Southwest Development Corp. Get tickets and sponsorship information Our mission is to be a catalyst for creating and maintaining a vital Southwest Chicago community by empowering, building and sustaining development that raises the quality of life for our neighborhood residents, businesses and industries. Learn more: greatersouthwest.org View As Webpage

Wolfgang Goede wurde die Ehre zuteil, den Speaker unserer Gemeinsinn-Konferenz 2011 mit ein paar Zeilchen zum Jubiläum zu würdigen, war schon ein gelungenes Ding, damals im OEBZ — time is flying … Honoree Jim Capraro was profiled for an article on “Community Spirit” in Credo, a Swiss international publication on philanthropy in 2014. (via Issuu) Dear Wolfgang, We’re excited for our upcoming 50th anniversary gala at the Fairlie. Here are the details: The celebration will take place Thursday October 24, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Fairlie, 339 N. Bell Ave. Chicago, IL 60612. Get your ticket or sponsorship at greatersouthwest50.eventbrite.com. We hope you can join us! We also wanted to share a story about our work from an angle that most people don’t know about. While most of us know Greater Southwest Development Corporation for its work here in Chicago, Wolfgang Goede brings a global perspective. Goede, who lived at 67th and Damen when he visited Chicago in the early 1970s to learn about community organizing, met our inaugural Visionary Award honoree Jim Capraro then and went on to collaborate with him in multiple ways over the years. Here he shares a story about Jim and how our work has influenced thinkers in Germany, Latin America, and beyond.

A conference on comprehensive community development sponsored by Local Initiatives Support Corp. in Chicago in 2012 featured among others (left to right): Maren Schüpphaus from Munich, Francesca Santaniello from Milan and Bergamo, Jim Capraro, and Wolfgang Goede from Munich & Medellin. “Mister International, James Capraro—Opportunities come from relationships” I first met “Cappy,” as we called him back then, in 1972. I had come to Chicago as a German volunteer to learn community organizing. West Englewood, Little Lithuania, Greater Lawn: I got to know the Southwest Side like the back of my hand at door knocking and block club meetings. Jim, a resourceful teacher of organizing skills and a great door opener, also with his buddies. (Meanwhile, the ‘Germans’ House’ where I and other volunteers lived on 67th Place and Damen became the most visited party location in the area). “Opportunities come from relationships” is Jim’s mantra .  The closer, the happier—and the more these relationships can generate civic power. Jim is a broker for relational power. I have seen his work influence policy in his hometown of Chicago but also in 30 other U.S. cities and beyond, in the transatlantic triangle between the U.S., Europe, and South America. We worked together on some of these including on a series of trainings in Munich, Milan and Medellín in the 2010 years. The focus of much of this work is the Comprehensive Community Development method (CCD) that Jim developed from community organizing. It’s a fusion of citizen empowerment and entrepreneurship, underpinned by best practices developed while at Greater Southwest Development Corporation. Southwest Chicago was a microcosm of the current global challenges around integration, housing, education, jobs. Jim used his experience and insights to teach international folks how to tackle these issues.

Jim brought the Greater Southwest model to a community development conference in Medellín, Colombia in 2015. ( Photo by Wolfgang Goede)

Community Spirit

“Community spirit” is the heart of the method. As conference curator and community participation expert Maren Schüpphaus, put it in an essay, Comprehensive Community Development is the synergy of one's own concerns and civic spirit within the political context, but apart from the electoral process. This became a key message for activists and Germany’s quite top-down democracy. Outside Germany, Jim’s impact has been felt in Colombia, as well, where Anneli Seifert featured him and his work at a training at Medellín's Antioquia University in 2015. Jim’s training refreshed this spirit in a country divided by decades of guerrilla warfare and entering the post conflict. Seifert saw Jim as following in the footsteps of a great humanist, Alexander von Humboldt. Von Humboldt, whose journey of discovery took him through Colombia in 1801, was also inspired by community. Von Humboldt wanted people to share empathy, responsibility and a sense of interconnectedness within local communities throughout the world based on an eternal bond between nature and humanity. This trail leads to another famous scholar: the Frenchman Alexis de Tocqueville, whose book Democracy in America praised the public spirit of voluntary associations—of which, 200 years later, Greater Southwest is a shining beacon. Congratulations board, members and staff, volunteers, donors and supporters, last but not least Jim! Wolfgang Chr. Goede. Munich and Medellín Political Scientist, Journalist, Facilitator Community Organizer 1972-1976 Chicago | San Francisco Thank you for reading! We hope you can join us on October 24. Get tickets and info at GreaterSouthwest50.eventbrite.com   - All of us at Greater Southwest Development Corp. Get tickets and sponsorship information Our mission is to be a catalyst for creating and maintaining a vital Southwest Chicago community by empowering, building and sustaining development that raises the quality of life for our neighborhood residents, businesses and industries. Learn more: greatersouthwest.org View As Webpage