September 24
Throughout this process I’ve had the honor of collaborating with this team of soulful, thoughtful, resourceful and intentional folk bringing a wrap around approach to resettlement for families: finding housing, tending the nest, welcoming with groceries, providing hot meals from local restaurants. (See the article in comments) So much love and care.
Another magical thing that’s happened is that a local Mexican restaurant, El Tapatio, has become a hub where many in the Latinx community feel most comfortable to seek resources. Volunteers in my affluent town realized this was the way to support the Latinx community and have been streaming in every day to help, bring resources, donations, meals. It has blossomed like only something by the community, for the community, can. (Edited to add: see NBC coverage of their effort here!)
And it’s been a healing ground where two socioeconomically and racially separated communities are practicing reciprocity and being in proximity with each other. Many, that I meet with there, have shared with me how healing it has been to have the affluent community that they felt separate from, helping in such a concerted way. It truly means so much.
AND being in relationship with my community is also a profound gift to the giver. The other day as I visited a family to orient them to the three meals generously provided by roguefoodunites.org, I was stopped in my tracks. After literally driving around in circles in this town so new to me, I found the family waiting for me on a street corner to make it easier. The youngest daughter, a bright faced 6 year old came gleefully up to meet me and eagerly wanted to direct my lost soul to the home they are staying in. She began skipping down the street past historic houses in the tree lined neighborhood. I cried (again). All I could think was “Why did it take a natural disaster, an apocalypse, for me to see a joyous little brown girl skipping down this street?” It hit me so hard that not once had I seen this here. HER presence in this neighborhood is the gift. A moment later, her father with shining eyes (literally) noticed another evacuated Latinx family up the street and called to them with a fatherly tone, “Come here, they are giving help.” HIS presence, his solid, interconnected communal way, is a gift. When I sit with the family who is staying with us, it is a gift for me to see how they have navigated this country’s materialism/capitalism/colonization and remained so connected to corazón, familia y comunidad with so much love and respect. I grieve because holding these values for my family in suburbia, has made me counterculture, and it is a gift for my children to see others steeped in it. Every interaction with a heart and connection-based culture is a gift for those steeped in modern lies and ways of separation and disconnection. People are spinning around with understandable worry. What are we going to do about climate change??
My community is a gift that has modeled for years what it looks like to live simply/sustainably, to be adaptable, prioritize relationships that foster collective survival, live a culture of healing connection, practice deep celebration of life and TEND THE LAND. To do what needs to be done. Even in this time of heartbreak and destruction they are living this, sharing and reaching out to ensure everyone’s needs are met, connecting me to those most in need. They do not need saviors but they welcome the mutuality. The interdependence and relationships being developed right now between our communities ARE the path, our way forward in uncertain times.
To learn more and support my ongoing effort to provide direct financial relief and fill gaps for the undocumented and migrant community with respect and dignity.
To Donate:
Go Fund Me: www.gofundme.com/f/almedafireslatinxrelief
Venmo: @sylvia-Poareo
More News Coverage:
Note:
I’ve been sharing my experience of the Almeda Fire in southern Oregon on my Facebook page, but I want to share it here so you can all walk with me on this journey. Click the “Almeda Fire” tag at the bottom of this post to read the entire series.