Alimentando al Pueblo is a project rooted in facilitating healing for Community that has been disproportionately impacted by the COVID -19 pandemic – impacts that have only been amplified by systemic and historical racism and economic disenfranchisement. We face multifaceted problems, and we must have multifaceted solutions.
We know, and see that it, is our collective responsibility to ensure the well being of our Community.
We are guided by this understanding
5 mujeres and a 6-partner collaborative in response to the pandemic. The 5 mujeres: Azucena Seijas, Hilda Pardo, Patricia Palomino, Roxana Pardo Garcia, and Sandra Simarra. All these women are residents that live in the Highline service area and know the importance of serving the Communities we live in. The collaborative: Colectiva Legal del Pueblo, Para los Niños, La Roxay Productions, Lake Burien Presbyterian Church and White Center Community Development Association.
The first phase of Alimentando al Pueblo. 450 boxes of non-perishable box items and produce boxes were shared with the Community – in 6 weeks we served 242 families.
One distribution of 100 boxes, served 100 families
King County grants Alimentando al Pueblo $270,000 to do the following
Ashley Kay Smith / Last Forever Images
Amber Trillo / The Photographer Cat
Web Design by Leo Carmona
Roxana Pardo Garcia aka La Roxay is a self-identifying Hood Intellectual Xingona who was born and raised on occupied Coast Salish Territory. Roxana is the Founder of La Roxay Productions and Hood Intellectual Xingona – and the current Owner, Cultural Worker, and Certified Xingona. She is also the Co-Founder and Project Lead of Alimentando al Pueblo.
Roxana attended the University of Washington where she received her BA in American Ethnic Studies. While a student Roxana was an active part of MEChA, where many campaigns were fought for – and won – that centered the histories and experiences of Black, Indigenous, Students of color. Roxana graduated from UW being the first in her family to do so.
Her 10+ years of Community involvement and organizing, include being a youth worker – specializing in working with Black, Indigenous, Youth of color, a community engagement expert, mentor, and a spirited South King County advocate. Roxana is an experienced public speaker, event planner, presenter, event MC, facilitator, truth teller, and professional chismosa.
Roxana uses indigenous knowledge and her genetic memories to do work that will allow people to live with dignity, respect, self and collective determination – because we know, nothing will liberate the hood, but the hood itself.
Susana Contreras-Mendez joined ESG in 2022 to support its Post-secondary Attainment portfolio. Prior to joining ESG, Susana was an Associate Learning and Impact Officer at Ascendium Education, where she worked in partnership with the philanthropic team to measure its performance and to support collective learning about its strategy and operations. Previously, she was a researcher at the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, a policy think tank in Washington, D.C. She conducted research on strategies to increase upward mobility for families, with a particular focus on the post-secondary experiences of student parents.
Other professional experiences include interning at Lumina Foundation and directly supporting low-income families through nonprofit and government programs. Outside of ESG, Susana serves on the board of Alimentando al Pueblo, a non-profit working to promote healing through comunidad, comida, and celebración (community, food, and celebration).
As a former Head Start child, first-generation college graduate, and TRiO Alum, Susana has firsthand knowledge of education’s transformational benefits. Susana holds a Master of Higher Education degree with a concentration in Diversity and Social Justice from the University of Michigan and a dual bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington in Sociology and American Ethnic Studies with a minor in Education, Learning, and Society.
Martha is a workplace safety professional and has been in the worker’s compensation arena for over 12 years. Graduating from the University of Washington undocumented, before DACA, she navigated through higher education advocating for herself to remain in school. She’s currently earning her Masters’ in Safety and Health Management from Central Washington University. During her spare time, she mentors Latina students, translates immigration letters for people seeking legal relief and assists in resume/cover letter preparation. She currently resides in Federal Way, WA with her husband Mario of 10 years, their daughter Dahlia and two chihuahuas, Buttercup and Dixie. Martha holds a Master’s of Safety and Health Management from Central Washington University. OSHA Safety Leadership for General Industry Certification.
