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Adult Programs
Adult Programs overview
Semillas de Exito/Seeds for Success
Promotores
Promotores are residents of our communities who are selected for leadership potential, receive special training and support and then become “community connectors” for their neighbors. As peer leaders they each conduct 40 home visits (platicas) annually. The program builds upon the “popular education” model developed by Brazilian educator Paolo Freire, and applied in rural health program using lay community health workers to teach basic health education and self-help. Our program expands upon this model using data gathered through our resident surveys, community assessments, and observation to address barriers, using our Promotores as “connectors”. The program expands beyond health to address broad-ranging areas of concern and need for the families and help to connect them to resources in the community. These might include immigration, legal aid, parenting, schools, crime prevention, workforce, education.
We currently have 15 Promotores enrolled in the program. Our Promotores program is funded by a generous grant from the United Way of the Columbia Willamette. Learn more about Promotores >
Free Income Tax Preparation
We are able to provide free Income Tax Return preparation for the residents as well as for the community thanks once again to United Way of the Columbia-Willamette. We felt that it was urgently important for Bienestar to continue providing this free service knowing that we would be the only agency in Washington County to provide the families with Tax Identification Numbers and bilingual services.
2011 Income Tax Report
2010 Income Tax report.
 GED
Preparation classes for GED certification are offered year-round for adults and teens. Bienestar staff member Juan Carlos Aguilera teaches these classes.
Computer Classes
Basic computer skills are taught during the evenings at properties where we have computer labs, including Sunset Gardens, Montebello, Reedville and Jose Arciga Apartments. We recently received donations of computers from Spring Ridge Academy in Arizona, Synopsys & Intel that have allowed us to expand our program.
Winter '10 Outcome Report Jose Arciga
Spring '10 Outcome Report Montebello
Summer '10 Outcome Report Reedville
Fall ' 10 Outcome Report Montebello
Winter '11 Outcome Report Jose Arciga
Winter/Spring '11 Outcome Report Montebello
Spring/Summer '11 Outcome Report Elm Park
Summer '11 Outcome Report Sunset Gardens
Fall '11 Outcome Report Sunset Gardens
Community Gardens 
Small community garden plots are available to residents at Reedville, Jose Arciga, Jose Echeverria, and Elm Park apartments. Currently 50 families maintain garden plots growing vegetables to augment their food supply. Community Gardens 09 Report
Financial Literacy Program for Adults
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In 2009 we launch a new three-year program, “Crece Su Dinero” that begins with the very basics and then moves into homeownership, micro enterprise and asset building strategies in the third year. Once residents complete the basic course, they are eligible to enroll in our IDA program. (run in partnership with Adelante Mujeres through the IDA Program, families can save for homeownership, education or to start a small business. When they reach their savings goal - their savings are matched 3:1.
2008 Outcome Report >
Spring 2010 Outcome Report >
Fall 2010 Outcome Report >
Winter-Spring 2011 Outcome Report >
Homeownership Counseling
Our Program Services Manager, Gracie Garcia is a HUD and Neighborworks certified homeownership counselor. Each year she meets with families that are interested in pursuing homeownership and provides intensive individual counseling. We are also able to offer Homeownership IDA's (Individual Development Accounts) through our partnership with Adelante Mujeres.
Job Club  Bienestar’s Job Club was launched in January, 2009 in response to the numbers of resident families experiencing job loss and reduced hours of work and pay. Plans for responding to the urgent needs of families were made with Bienestar staff Gracie Garcia, Maria Moreno and Jorge Tello. Partners Mary Lewis of Worksource Oregon Employment Department, Paula Moore from Dress for Success were engaged as partners in the effort. Job club meets weekly & Helps residents with resumes, job search, application, etc.
Outcome Report
Cooking & Nutrition  Classes Thanks to a partnership with OSU Extension Service in Washington County, residents at Reedville Apartments in Aloha have participated in a series of classes on preparing healthy family meals when on a tight budget. With all the food, materials and instruction supplied by OSU Extension Service, the classes took place in the community room at Reedville Apartments on weekday mornings. In 2010 Oregon Food Bank provided the classes at Sunset Gardens. Volunteers conducted the class and the students were given the ingredients to take home.
2009 Outcome Report
2010 Outcome Report
2011 Montebello Outcome Report
Creation Vacation
Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of the United Methodist Church, Bienestar families had amazing vacations on the Oregon Coast for two years in a row. Creation Vacation is a project of the United Methodist Church to offer very low-income families the opportunity to experience a few days of family vacation, enjoying a supportive community and the wonder of creation. For many, it is a respite from the struggles of daily life.
Creation Vacation 2011
Read More 
English as a Second Language Classes
Bienestar provided four different English as a Second Language classes over four months due to a large resident interest and a variety of different levels and schedules. We tested 79 residents in late October and placed them in three different English levels: A, B,
or C, and four different class times.
Read More
Outcome Report 2010
Elm Park Spring 2011
Audubon Family Outings
May 2011 Outcome Report
Family Time
Family Time/Home Depot
Special Events:
Energy Conservation Workshops
H1N1 Free Vaccination Clinics Citizenship
Citizenship Presentations
Mental Health Presentations
Audubon Family Outings
Resident Meetings
Holiday Parties
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