One year ago, we had a vision for increasing the power and influence of a community that has been relegated to the margins of society for far too long. On May 8, 2020, we launched Voces Unidas de las Montañas. Our launch came as the COVID-19 pandemic strengthened its grasp on our everyday lives. While the crisis paused many in their tracks, we knew it was not the time to stall. Our work became more critical than ever as systemic issues were exacerbated in a time of crisis.
As the first Latino-created, Latino-led advocacy non-profit serving Garfield, Eagle and Pitkin counties, we have dedicated the last 12 months to partnering with our communities around the three pillars of our work: leadership, advocacy, and civic engagement. We are dedicated to ensuring that Latinas and Latinos in our tri-county region have their voices amplified. Any table where the future of our communities are discussed and debated must make room to allow for our direct participation. Our opinions, contributions, and lived experiences deserve to be represented in all levels of leadership.
Any movement towards equity and justice must be first credited to its supporters. We thank you for the endless support that has allowed us to have a tremendous impact in year one.
We have been able to accomplish so much in partnership with our communities. In just one year, we were able to play an integral role in ensuring vaccination equity in our community, hosting 10 vaccine clinics totaling in 2,209 vaccines administered. Through our efforts, a total of 3,862 community members were helped with food baskets, direct financial aid, one-on-one assistance and vaccinations. Online, we’ve made our presence known. We’ve engaged 43,756 unique individuals in all of our work -- online, through newsletters and in programs. Our numbers show that we reached 14,272 likely Latino voters during the 2020 election. With 421 leaders in our community participating in trainings, events, campaigns and service projects, we cannot be more excited about our momentum.
Part of our future plans is to grow our impact as an organization and continue to be strategic and effective in achieving our goals, both short- and long-term.
With the future in mind, we are pleased to introduce our new affiliate organization, Voces Unidas Action Fund, a separate 501(c)(4) political advocacy non-profit organization. The mission of the C4 is to hold elected officials accountable, lobby for progressive policy solutions, help elect progressive candidates, and prepare the next generation of local Latina and Latino elected leaders. To learn more, click here to visit their website.
Together we will achieve liberation from inequitable and oppressive systems by creating opportunities for our community to be active and informed residents of the Mountain Region.
Here’s to year two and beyond!
With gratitude,
--Alex Sánchez