Líderes Verdes Graduate Q&A

This interview was originally conducted in Spanish with Graciela, a recent graduate of the Líderes Verdes program.

Tell us about your favorite experience in the Líderes Verdes program? 

What drew me to LV (Líderes Verdes) was my interest in learning more about nature and trees. I’ve always felt connected to nature—I love going camping and enjoying the outdoors—but I wanted to deepen my knowledge about the environment. It was during this learning process that I discovered how valuable it is to be in a space that also helps you heal and grow personally.

One of the experiences that helped me the most was the opportunity to participate in the Más Allá del Trauma (Beyond Trauma) session. This session allowed me to release emotional burdens and, in doing so, I was able to bring a new perspective into my life and my relationship with society. After learning how to face some traumas, I feel freer, more confident, and more capable of being an active part of society. What impacted me the most was realizing that before participating in the session, I wasn’t even aware that I had trauma. Through Más Allá del Trauma, I was able to identify and process those emotional wounds.

Verde has given me not only the opportunity to learn about nature but also the space to heal and feel more connected to my surroundings and to others.

How has this program impacted you?

It’s had a huge impact on me—I couldn’t even tell you how much because the change has been so big. One clear example is that I’m here talking with you. In the past, I would’ve said, “No, I can’t do it [the interview],” but this program gave me the confidence to do more and reach further. It made me feel secure and capable.

It’s also been powerful to be part of a community so involved with the Latinx community. I didn’t know about Verde before, or how much they actually did, but seeing how much they care and how they advocate for justice really moved me.

Verde isn’t just about environmental justice or clean air—they also fight for strong, healthy communities. Finding this community was so impactful for me, especially coming from Gresham. And something else: Verde has always made me feel good.

I feel like I’m at home when I’m there. It’s not technically my home or my family, but it feels like my comfort space. That sense of being welcomed really impacted me—it’s why I don’t want to leave yet. I’m still trying to find ways to stay connected.

Mentally and physically, it’s also helped a lot. I’m now part of the Equipo de Arboles, which keeps me active. So it’s been good for my body and my mind. And through it, I’ve started connecting with other programs. Verde is a big organization with lots of different paths, and if you’re interested in one, you can keep moving forward.

What inspired you to enroll in the program? 

What really inspired me was my interest in nature. I wanted to learn more because I’ve always felt connected to it—I enjoy things like camping and even just the weather. I like the rain, I like the sun, even the hail—because it’s all part of nature. That curiosity and appreciation made me want to learn more.  

At first, I just expected to learn a little and volunteer. I didn’t really know what Verde was, I only knew what others told me. I thought it was mainly about helping out and being involved in the community.  

People would say, “You like volunteering, you help at school.” I used to volunteer at school and church, but those places didn’t offer trainings or workshops. I just liked to help. So I thought, “Okay, I’ll go and see how I can support.” But when I got there, I realized it wasn’t just about volunteering—it was about learning, too.  

There were actual classes, workshops, and training sessions. It was much more than I expected. At school or church, they never offered anything like that. So when I saw everything Verde had to offer, I thought that it was so much bigger than I imagined.”

How do you think Verde impacts our community? 

Hmm, because of the interest they have in the community. Verde is an organization that has people who know the needs, who listen to the community. So, it really interests them. They have people who can really see that the need is there, not just saying, “Oh, there’s a need.” This is an organization that I’ve seen in these 2 years really stand up for people’s rights, no matter your situation. They’re there to fight for us.  

For example, when they’ve fought against a factory harming the environment, and there are vulnerable people around, like us, people who are sometimes at the bottom and those at the top don’t see us. Verde does see us.  

So, they defend rights, they stand up for us. They’re our defenders.  

What else would you like to share about your experience with the program?

I really hope they can do something, because people often join the way I did—without knowing what Líderes Verdes or Verde really is. Some think, “Oh, it’s about trees, water, hiking, camping—that’s why I’ll go,” but once you see all the benefits, you’re like, “Wow… and it’s only two years?”

At first, I didn’t understand why it was limited to two years. As a volunteer, you can stay as long as you want, but in Líderes Verdes, it’s structured so that others from the community can also have the opportunity to come in, train, and grow—just like I did. Now I understand that.

Even though it’s only two years, I’m already part of the Equipo de Árboles, which makes me feel like I’ve taken a step further. Thanks to Líderes Verdes, I’ve learned to be part of something bigger.

Right now, I’m also participating in the Justicia de Transportación program over Zoom. I prefer in-person because I like interacting and connecting face-to-face, but I’m still taking notes and learning. I used to be nervous to speak in front of people, but Líderes Verdes showed me that if I want to be heard, I need to speak up.

I didn’t finish school in my country—I only got to 9th grade. My dad didn’t let me continue. He’d say, “You’re a girl, you don’t need to study.” That was the machismo. I’d ask, “Why can my brother study and not me?” And I’m not mad at my dad—it’s just how he was raised. My mom used to secretly buy me school supplies so I could keep going a little longer. I always wanted to learn.

Now that I have the chance to learn, I say, “I’m not going to leave with that longing still in me.” I want to learn. Now, through Latino Network, I’ve even been to court buildings to learn about how systems work. I used to think, “Oh, that’s just cheating or corruption,” but now I understand it’s a process, it’s about rules. My kids ask me what I’ve learned and I tell them. They’re in high school, so they already know more than I did, but now they say, “That’s great, Mom, that you’re learning.”

I say, “Yes, I’m not going to stay with the desire—I’m going to learn what I want to learn.” It’s just about your desire. Age doesn’t matter—whether you’re 40, 50, whatever. Líderes Verdes taught me that if you want to be heard, you have to speak—because if you don’t speak, how will anyone hear you?

They taught me that. I remember when I was new, and they’d ask, “Who’s going to talk?” and everyone would go quiet. I’d think, “I’m new, I can’t,” but they’d say, “Yes you can. Just say what you feel—you don’t need a script.” I once asked Malín for a paper to write something down, and she said, “No—you can do it on your own.” I didn’t understand why she didn’t let me use notes, especially when I’d seen others use theirs. But now I know it was because she believed I could do it on my own—and she wanted me to believe that too.

There was one time at a Latino gathering where she asked if I was going to speak. I said no, that she was my leader. But then she encouraged me to read a note. I didn’t want to—but when I saw what it said, it was so beautiful, I said, “I’ll read it.” And she even recorded me. At first I was nervous—so many people! But I realized this wasn’t about who’s the most confident or who knows the most. It’s about who steps up.

And when I read that note, I felt proud. I said, “Yes—I can do this.” Before, I used to be afraid I’d say the wrong words. But Líderes Verdes told me, “Say what you feel, what you experienced—not what you think we want to hear.” That’s when I decided: even if I’m wrong, I’ll learn.

You know, at school meetings, they used to ask, “Any questions?” and nobody would say anything. I think it’s something in our Latino community. We feel shy, worried about how we’ll sound, afraid people will stare. That was me. I’d tell my husband, “Aren’t you going to say something?” and he’d say, “You like to talk.” And I’d say, “Yeah, at home!” But during the meeting, I’d just look down. Then afterward, we’d have all these questions—but by then, the meeting was over! Nothing changes that way.

Fifteen years ago, I joined the Parent Academy because I was scared of living in this country. I didn’t want to go outside—I was afraid. But the Parent Academy helped me understand my children and the system. It was more focused on being a mom.

But Líderes Verdes is about community. So is Latino Network—it’s all about community. And now I’m trying to get more involved with them too. I want to keep attending sessions, stay consistent, and keep learning.

Sometimes, I don’t know if I’ll even get to sit down and enjoy a soda or a snack, but I try. At first, I was sad that my two years in Líderes were ending. But now that I know Verde has more programs, I’m grateful. I say to God, “Whatever is meant for me, give it to me—and if it’s not for me, thank you for what I learned.”

I leave with everything I’ve learned—and I leave happy. I’m glad I didn’t give up. I tell my husband and kids, “I’m going to class,” and it’s like my little break. At home, there are no breaks. I cook, clean, take care of the community garden, and I get tired. But when I come here, I listen, I learn—it’s my time. It’s my excuse to grow.

I hope I can share with the community what Verde taught me: not to be afraid, to believe we can, that unity is strength, and that we must always fight for the rights of the most vulnerable. Because those who are already fine don’t need it—but our community is often vulnerable. And sometimes we don’t even want to ask questions because we’re scared. But once you know there’s something strong backing you, you’re not afraid anymore.

For me, that strength is Verde. With Verde behind me, I’m not afraid. I’ve had experiences that show me that. That’s why I keep going.

And that’s what I call resilience—Verde taught me resilience. “Go, go!” they’d say. Even when I feel down or pessimistic, I keep going.