CHARLA community members from Salem and Woodburn, together with partners organizations – LUS/Mano a Mano Family Center, Mujeres Luchadoras Progresistas, THE-TREE Institute, Sisters of the Road, Oregon Latino Health Coalition – met with the Senate President Peter Courtney to educate and advocate about the importance of Cultural Competence for Health Care Providers. The meeting was one of the CHARLA members’ strategy to assure that the senate members would better understand that SB 97 is just one step towards several initiatives to reduce health disparities in Oregon state. The Senate president Peter Courtney assisted by his wife Marjory were sensitive to the stories brought the community members. The bill was sent to the Senate Floor for their analysis.

MATCH, Mother of American Teenagers & Children Health is the new CHARLA iniative to sensibilize health experts and legislators about Oregonian mothers who have no health care at all. Based on evidences that a healthy mother can grow healthy kids, CHARLA members are advocating that for 1 Healthy Mother they MATCH with 3 Healthy Kids! The paradox of being a mother of a American born children without some health care – many because they do not have yet their immigrantion documentation – is noticed and highly questioned about American current immigration laws. The CHARLA performance that took place in Salem, at the Capitol Building, on March 8, were supported by Senator Laurie Monnes-Anderson (Gresham), and staff of Representive Tina Kotek (NE/N Portland). They have joined the community mothers from Hood River, Salem, Portland, and Woodburn to better understand their children and mother health needs. As Monnes-Anderson stated “this is  matter of high importance for our state and should be supported by everyone who cares about the health of our communities, and that is why I am here today. Thank you for have invited me!”

On February 21, 2011 CHARLA joined Office of Multicultural Health and Services and other partner organizations of POCHEC, People of Color Health Equity Collaborative for an amazing collective public testimony before the Senate Health Care Rural Committee. The hearing room at the Capitol was packed with over 50 presents among of them  27 were persons representing ALL COLLORS of immigrants and refugees, Latinos, Africans, Asians, low income, LGBT, and disable communities.  CHARLA members who told their personal stories that truly impressed legislators about the importance of Senate Bill 97 came from Hood River, Portland, Salem, and Woodburn. !Si se puede! Yes we can!

Hi everyone!

We recently have revamped our webiste to better inform and connect us with you! New information were posted and new tools that we hope will help you better understand Who We Are, our Artistic and Community Productions, and main programs such as CHARLA, Collective Health Adovacy for Rooted Latinas/os & Africans. Some more information and tools will be added in the next few months as we develop them. such as some translation into Spanish language. We hope these new look and information will be used for your professional and entertainment purposes while connecting with us! Please send us a feedback. !Gracias! 

We want to acknowledge that this project was possible to a generous and instrumental support from Regional Arts & Culture Council through a Professional Development grant and their amazing staff advices! It was also fundamental the creative work performed by Kristyna Mullen, who has been acting as ou Communication Advisor and professional website developer. Thank you! !Gracias!

Please join us for the ARCO-IRIS Festival of Arts and Cultures!

WHERE: East Portland Community Center – 740 SE 106th Ave, Portland OR 97266 (106th & Cherry Blossom)
Multipurpose Rooms 1& 2
WHEN: SATURDAY – DEC 4 – 4:30pm to 10:30pm

FEATURING:
!CUBA y QUE! Cuban Salsa with Adolfo Mirabal, Wladimir and Friends
SHOW BRAZIL: Brazilian band with Eduardo Mendonca & Dora de Oliveira
THEATRE for TRANSFORMATION: a Diversity Forum co-created and performed by participants with Theatre Artist-Joker Sandra Hernandes
Mexican Embroidering: with Delfina Hernandez
YOUTH MURAL: Latin American Dream-Sueno part II: a co-creation with Youth and Sandra Hernandes and Robert Penagos

**LIMITED SPACE FOR WORKSHOPS***PRE-REGISTER at events@thetreeinstitute.org
Call Sandra Hernandes at (503) 901-6285

****FREE***FOR EVERYONE***ALL AGES****LATIN FOOD***
WORKSHOPS: SAMBA (dance)**CUBAN SALSA** BRAZILIAN PERCUSSION**THEATRE**PAINTING***

Sponsors:
THE-TREE Institute & Collective Spect-ACTORS
EAST PORTLAND ACTION PLAN/East Portland Neighborhood Office
Neighborhood Small Grants provided by EPNO & City of Portland/Office of Neighborhood Involvement
Office of Multicultural Health & Services