Partner Spotlight: Xochitl’s Personal Journey and the Impact of ECO at Adelante Mujeres

For over 20 years, Adelante Mujeres has been a beacon of hope for the Spanish-speaking community in Washington County, specifically for women and their families. What started as a mission to help marginalized Latinx women get their GEDs and provide childcare, has blossomed into a powerful force for education, support, and empowerment. Today, under the leadership of Latinx women who share similar lived experiences, they are all about promoting women’s unity, self-development, and growth personally and professionally.

Since partnering with Oregon Worker Relief (OWR) in 2020, Adelante Mujeres offers resources for immigrants looking for vital legal aid services through OWR’s ECO program. Xochitl Alonso, OWR Program Coordinator at Adelante Mujeres, has been instrumental in these efforts working with her team of navigators to provide hope and guidance to each individual throughout the ECO application process. 

The application process begins with an initial meeting with a navigator to gather information, documents, and assess individual needs. Navigators work diligently to connect clients with the appropriate services and start the program application. After program approval, applicants get an appointment to meet with an immigration lawyer to go over their case. Since June 2024, the organization has successfully processed nearly 300 applications for ECO, offering services mostly in Spanish and in some cases Portuguese, French, Haitian, and Mayan.

For Xochitl, building trust is a vital part of her work in ECO, especially for clients who have faced trauma, isolation, and discrimination. “I want to give the support that I would have wanted when I was in my client’s shoes. Many of us remember what it feels like to emigrate. We try to create a safe space where people can rebuild trust,”  she reflects. “Our immigrant community is afraid and doesn’t know where to go to find reliable resources, and we’re helping change this mindset.”

Xochitl’s journey to this role was not an easy one. As a teenager, she emigrated to the U.S. and had no clear path after high school since she was undocumented. Despite the odds, several years later, she obtained her legal status and earned her degree while balancing work and single motherhood. Xochitl tells the story of how a simple purchase of a summer watermelon led her to discover her role at Adelante Mujeres. At the market, she met the woman who became her supervisor and the chat led to an invitation to join the organization and other women with similar stories to make a difference. “I discovered that I have a strong inner power and desire to create a safe environment for other women in the community. I think life has put me in the right place,” she explains.

For organizations considering partnership with OWR, Xochitl has a powerful message: “There’s so much negativity around immigration. It’s our job to help change the narrative and bring forward positive stories. By partnering with ECO to provide legal aid, we have the chance to change lives and fill our hearts with positive experiences so we keep giving back to the community.”

Her words resonate as a call to action for legislators and elected officials. When we prioritize diversity and support initiatives that uplift our immigrant communities, we are fostering a more inclusive society for all Oregonians. Learn more about the ECO program and Adelante Mujeres.