Poderosa: Activating Community through Dialogue and Healing

Poderosa: Activando a la comunidad a través del diálogo y la sanación

Join Mujeres Latinas en Acción, in collaboration with our Donor Acción Network and Young Professional Advisory Council (YPAC), for a transformative day-long convening designed as a sanctuary for listening, dialogue, and communal healing.

As women's rights face increasing threats and ICE enforcement continues to separate families, Poderosa provides a necessary space to confront systemic vulnerabilities and the rising numbers of domestic and sexual violence within our local communities.

Acompañe a Mujeres Latinas en Acción, en colaboración con nuestra Donor Acción Network y el Young Professional Advisory Council (YPAC), en un día de encuentro transformador diseñado como un santuario para la escucha, el diálogo y la sanación comunitaria.

Mientras los derechos de las mujeres enfrentan crecientes amenazas y la vigilancia de ICE continúa separando a familias, Poderosa brinda un espacio necesario para confrontar las vulnerabilidades sistémicas y el aumento de los casos de violencia doméstica y sexual en nuestras comunidades locales.

Event Details | Detalles del evento

Date/Fecha: Saturday, May 16, 2026

Location/Ubicacion: The Arturo Velasquez Westside Technical Institute

Purpose/Propósito: To transform shared vulnerability into collective agency and sustained mutual aid. Transformar la vulnerabilidad compartida en agencia colectiva y ayuda mutua sostenida.

Program Highlights | Contenido del programa

We will begin with a luncheon presentation and a leadership presentation, followed by testimonies from community organizers with the Immigrant Defense Network (IDN). Drawing on their experience with direct family services in Minneapolis, IDN will share critical insights into how the Spanish-speaking community has organized to respond to recent ICE-related violence and systemic displacement.

The core of the afternoon is dedicated to culturally congruent spaces for community members to share lived experiences, process the current moment, and identify tangible ways to support one another in the year ahead.

Together, we will blend high-level advocacy with intimate, community-led dialogue to ensure our community remains resilient and empowered.

Comenzaremos con un almuerzo y una presentación sobre liderazgo, seguidos de testimonios de organizadores comunitarios de la Immigrant Defense Network (IDN). Con base en su experiencia con servicios directos a familias en Minneapolis, la IDN compartirá perspectivas fundamentales sobre cómo la comunidad de habla hispana se ha organizado para responder a la reciente violencia relacionada con ICE y al desplazamiento sistémico.

La parte central de la tarde estará dedicada a espacios culturalmente acordes para que los miembros de la comunidad compartan sus experiencias, procesen el momento actual e identifiquen formas tangibles de apoyarse mutuamente en el próximo año.

Juntos, fusionaremos la incidencia de alto nivel con un diálogo íntimo liderado por la comunidad para asegurar que esta permanezca resiliente y empoderada.

Registration for Poderosa | Inscripción para Poderosa

Activating Community through Dialogue and Healing opens at 10:00 AM on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at The Arturo Velasquez Westside Technical Institute. The formal program will begin promptly at 11:00 AM and conclude at 3:00 PM. The event is free and open to the community. Space is limited; registration is required.

Activando a la Comunidad a través del Diálogo y la Sanación abre sus puertas a las 10:00 AM el sábado 16 de mayo de 2026, en el Arturo Velasquez Westside Technical Institute. El programa formal comenzará puntualmente a las 11:00 AM y concluirá a las 3:00 PM. El evento es gratuito y abierto a la comunidad. El cupo es limitado; se requiere inscripción previa.

Getting There | Como llegar

🚆 By Public Transit (CTA)

The institute is conveniently located near several major transit lines:

CTA Pink Line: The Western station is approximately 1 mile north of the institute. From the station, you can take the #49 Western bus south directly to the campus.

CTA Orange Line: The Western station is about 1.5 miles south. From there, take the #49 Western bus north.

CTA Bus Routes:

#49 Western: Stops directly at Western & 28th St.

#21 Cermak: Stops at Western & Cermak (walk about 5-7 minutes south).

#60 Blue Island/26th: Stops at Western & 26th St (walk about 2-3 minutes south).

🚗 By Car & Parking

Free On-Site Parking: A large parking lot is located on the south side of the building (accessible via Western Ave or 28th St). Parking is typically free for visitors and event guests.

Accessibility: The main entrance from the south parking lot is wheelchair accessible.

🚲 By Bike

Divvy: There are Divvy bike-share stations located nearby, including one at Western Ave & 24th St.

Bike Racks: Racks are available near the main entrance for those riding their own bicycles.

Poderosa: Activating Community through Dialogue and Healing

Special Guest: Minnesota Immigrant Defense Network