COMMUNITIES OF CARE
BY JESSICA MOLINA
In early 2019, Latina mothers from Aberdeen, Washington came together to address the alarming decline in mental health among the Latinx population of Grays Harbor. They were participants in the Women’s Justice Circle program, an eight-week curriculum available through the Intercommunity Peace and Justice Center (IPJC) and eventually organized an action project on how to address this issue in their community.
surveys regarding their experiences with mental health. People gathered to discuss depression and suicide prevention in adolescents and to raise awareness about the importance of hiring bicultural and bilingual mental health counselors and educators.
The Aberdeen Circle collaborated with educators, mental health providers, and community leaders to organize a community forum, “Familias Unidas, Comunidades Sanas” (Families United for Healthy Communities). At this event, community health organizations and leaders provided resources to over 100 community members. Attendees were empowered and informed regarding the issues at stake and were able to participate in
After a successful turnout at the forum, the Aberdeen Circle decided to continue to work together beyond the eight-week Women’s Justice Circle to advocate for culturally and linguistically appropriate mental health resources and services in Grays Harbor County. The community event validated the need for increased access to bilingual mental health counselors and educators in Grays Harbor.
A few weeks later, the Aberdeen Circle presented these findings to leadership of Grays Harbor County Public Health (GHCPH). The meeting concluded with a mutual understanding that lack of information increases the stigma associated with
Members of the Aberdeen Women’s Justice Circle organized a Mental Health Awareness Walk to advocate for mental health in Grays Harbor County, Washington.
mental health and well-being. This initial meeting eventually led into the first opportunity to fund the Aberdeen Circle’s community-based efforts.
The Aberdeen Circle hoped to initiate their grassroots mental health initiatives with a grant awarded from the Inatai Foundation (formerly known as Group Health Foundation) at the beginning of 2020. Unfortunately, this was also the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, which consequently meant the Circle had to restructure their initiatives and prioritize the immediate health and safety of their community.
The group felt compelled to step into the health crisis as champion messengers to help distribute health-based information and resources by joining GHCPH’s COVID-19 Equity Communications Taskforce to distribute COVID19 related information to the Latinx population of Grays Harbor. This taskforce eventually transformed into what is now Grays Harbor RISE (Red de Inclusion, Solidaridad, y Empoderamiento), a Latinx by-and-for coalition of which the Circle continues to be a member agency. The Circle also partnered with Catholic Community Services of Western Washington to support the massive food distribution in Grays Harbor and neighboring counties.
As the community navigated through the pandemic and the immense feelings of isolation and loneliness it caused, the Aberdeen Circle eventually started organizing virtual BINGO/ Loteria and family painting nights. These monthly events not only provided an accessible, creative, and fun outlet, but, in a deeper sense, they also provided families a safe place to connect to their community and foster a sense of belonging.
“While championing the cause of their community, the Latina mental health advocates faced their own emotional well-being challenges.”
Additionally, the Circle organized virtual events to inform the participants about COVID-19 updates and provide them with local resources on rental/housing assistance, food banks, and mental health supports. Eventually, the health crisis dwindled and the Aberdeen Circle was able to host these same events in person.
Thanks to the fiscal sponsorship of IPJC, in 2023 the Aberdeen Circle received consecutive funding from the Inatai Foundation for the next three years. The grants have enabled the grassroots group to explore strategies to adopt culturally based health and well-being programming through educational family engagement.
Through expanding their educational efforts, the Aberdeen Circle has organized and participated in behavioral health related initiatives and continues to plan for future projects to promote mental health promotion efforts for the Grays Harbor Latinx community.
Members of the Aberdeen Circle at their headquarters in Aberdeen, Washington.
Some of the projects the Aberdeen Women’s Justice Circle accomplished in 2024:
• Third annual Mental Health Awareness Walk
• Establishing a mental health ministry through local Catholic parishes and missions of Grays Harbor
• Collaborating with prevention educators and coalition coordinators to provide culturally specific programs regarding substance use prevention and mental health promotion through the facilitation of Guiando Buenas Decisiones (Guiding Good Choices) and Fortaleciendo Familias (Strengthening Families) curriculums
• Transporting a group of youth to Consejo Counseling’s Youth Empowerment Conference
• Attending the Rural Prevention Conference and Washington State Prevention Summit
• Co-facilitating a women’s support group in partnership with Beyond Survival, the sexual assault resource center of Grays Harbor
• Providing continual promotional support to the Nuestras Historias Restorative Program with the Dispute Resolution Center of Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties.
The Aberdeen Circle also continues to engage with IPJC’s Latina’s Leadership Circle Network and its upcoming initiatives.
As the Aberdeen Circle became more active with justice efforts in their community, there was a mental health moment that needed to be addressed within its members. While the Aberdeen Circle members were focusing their efforts out in the community, there were instances of burn out, mental fatigue, and emotional exhaustion among the members.
While championing the cause of their community, the Latina mental health advocates faced their own emotional wellbeing challenges. The intersection of cultural stigma, language barriers, and systemic inequities takes a significant toll on an advocate’s mental health.
To effectively support these individuals, it was crucial to access culturally specific mental health services that address the needs of Latina community leaders. This includes therapists who understand the nuances of Latina culture, the impact of discrimination, and the important balance of oneself, family, and community. By prioritizing culturally competent care, members felt empowered to continue their vital work of bringing justice to their communities.
As the Aberdeen Circle sets ambitious goals and charts out projects for their community into 2025, they acknowledge that it’s equally important to prioritize their own mental well-being.
Jessica Molina is a member of the Aberdeen Women’s Justice Circle. The Circle continues their efforts with six dedicated Circle leaders (Isabel Cisneros, Maria “Rosy” Hernandez, Silvia Chavez, Noemi Lopez, Maria “Tere” Fonseca, and Jessica Molina) and will be celebrating their sixth anniversary as a community-based group in 2025. IPJC awarded the Circle the Thea Bowman Award during our 2022 Spring Benefit.
Members of the Aberdeen Circle organized a Posadas celebration at St. Mary’s church in Aberdeen, Washington Article photos courtesy of the Aberdeen Circle