transformed lives transforming society

We are noticing an increasing interest among our local Skagit community to learn more about 'gangs' and indigenous Mexican 'farmworkers', similar to a role TN played years ago, educating the community about farmworkers. I'm convinced that our role as advocates extends from the micro to the macro level. As we engage with our community's social services, collaborating together and providing trainings on how to provide more culturally appropriate and effective services to the people we love and work with, I hope we will experience wider community change and understanding.

Since Tierra Nueva pursues the most marginalized of people, part of our role as advocates is helping people get jobs, housing, navigate court systems, learn to live healthier and more sustainable lives, or as some may say... becoming 'functional members of society'. However, ideally, it isn't just the individuals we work with that are invited into a new way of being. 'Society' or the dominant groups with money and power also need to be provided avenues for change. Judgments, stereotypes and misconceptions abound that prohibit the marginalized from being welcomed as equal members of society, equal in humanity.

Last month, Ryan, Teddy (two of my coworkers/friends) and I went to Catholic Community Services Mental Health program here in Skagit to do a training on 'Gang Culture'. [The three of us are depicted at the left in our trip last year to San Francisco and LA]. The 20 or so mental health therapists were really receptive and eager to hear about our work and how gang members are fellow humans who, like all humans, want to belong.

Many youth have joined gangs in our area as first or second generation immigrants. Their parents are working 2-3 jobs and rarely at home, unable to provide the nurture and mentoring that kids long for. Kids grow up both yearning to be accepted and to belong, and seeing gang life glamorized by media and older gang members. Ryan explained our TN value of mutual liberation and how he and other TNers have seen the importance of welcoming gang members one by one into their home, adopting them in a sense into a new sort of family.

Teddy recently joined Ryan, Ramon and Ramon's 2 kids in the TN apt. He soon will get full custody of his 1 year old boy, and is getting to learn how to be a single dad alongside Ramon who has done the same. In front of the room-full of mental health therapists, Teddy beautifully articulated a bit of his own story, gently disarming their previous conceptions and calling them to a greater love and acceptance of all people. It was especially fun to see how they approached Teddy afterwards, a definite change in attitude from the initial skepticism and surprise at seeing this tall tattooed young man coming into their conference room, to an elderly lady at the end saying, 'Teddy, I like your tattoos'. We could hardly get him out of there afterwards, as the therapists kept asking him questions and thanking him for coming. He lives a life testifying to the power and love of God.

For whatever reason, March is full of speaking events for me and my coworker Salvio (as he can). Would love your prayers for these events, that those we are speaking to might be changed and called to truly 'welcome the stranger' in line with the Biblical mandate.

Mexican Farmworker Lives 101

March 1st, TN Volunteer Advocacy Training, Bellingham WA

March 2nd, Pregnancy Choices, Mt. Vernon WA

March 16th, Lopez Island group at Tierra Nueva, Burlington WA

March 18th, First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue, WA

Human Trafficking

March 7th, Skagit Valley College, Mt Vernon WA

TN Family Support Center & Skagit Against Slavery update

March 8th, Whidbey Island Presbyterian Church, Oak Harbor WA