Dreams do come true! A Collaboration for Empowerment

Tacoma, WA – Semillas de Cambio (Seeds of Change) was conceived to celebrate and honor the contributions of former Justice Circle facilitators and active Circle members and to create a space for connection, growth, networking, and mobilizing. After deciding to delve into mental health, a topic identified by community members as urgent, we distributed a survey among potential participants to identify the most critical gaps in mental health services for Latinos. Survey respondents mentioned the lack of access to: health insurance, financial resources to afford therapy, culturally appropriate services, and skilled professionals who speak Spanish. Many survey participants also named the struggle to seek out mental health care due to the myths, stigma, and shame related to mental health.

On September 17th, roughly 50 Latinas from over 30 cities in Washington and Oregon gathered in Tacoma to learn from testimonies of former Justice Circle participants and facilitators. They joined in dialogue to deepen the conversation around mental health. Together, the group celebrated past Circle actions and created a vision for changes the community hopes to actualize in the future. The day concluded with an emotional workshop focused on the intergenerational trauma caused by colonization, racism, and patriarchy. Participants were guided through exercises to process this trauma and begin to free themselves from the harm of inherited toxic patterns that are often unconsciously continued. As a result of the gathering, we invited former facilitators to join a network and continue to work as a collective.

Justice for Women is a grassroots movement for social justice and systemic change, especially for women living in poverty. Women’s Justice Circles empower women to identify issues of concern in their community and act for change.

Together We Can Make a Difference in the Lives of Women and Our Community as a Whole!

Many participants shared that during the gathering they experienced a call to become seeds of change and germinate in the community. As one attendee said, “We are not alone. I feel that now we have a common language and a sisterhood that unites us.” Seeds of Change will become an annual event that continues to grow leadership and fortify organizing capacity.