Empowering Change: How OYEN’s Collaboration With EVOLVE Is Transforming Lives in Underserved Communities

Woodburn, Ore.- In Woodburn, OR, a partnership is blossoming that is changing lives and uplifting the community. OYEN Emotional Wellness Center, a bilingual behavioral health clinic, has joined forces with EVOLVE Workforce and Multifamily Housing Services, to create meaningful job opportunities for underserved community members. At the receiving end of this incredible opportunity, is Kaory Paredes, whose journey reflects the profound impact of this collaboration.

A sister organization of the Farmworkers Housing Development Corporation (FHDC), EVOLVE is a nonprofit organization specializing in affordable housing management and career development in Oregon. EVOLVE aims to improve low-income and BIPOC communities through people-driven workforce development and affordable real estate management services. 

Paredes learned about EVOLVE when her brother received a pamphlet from them. Eager to connect with others and gain new experiences, she applied for their training. Over the past few years, Paredes has worked and volunteered at EVOLVE, taken workforce development classes, and earned certifications. The bilingual curriculum includes an 8-week hybrid series with two 2-hour sessions per week (32 hours total) plus 10 hours of on-the-job training, all at no cost. The classes cover soft skills, technical skill development, personalized job readiness guidance, job shadowing, and more.

OYEN’s CEO Melinda Avila has continuously looked for ways to give back to her community. When Avila was recently looking to hire a receptionist, she understood that finding highly skilled bilingual professionals required more than just posting a job opening—it demanded a proactive approach. Avila reached out to Maria Elena Guerra, Executive Director at EVOLVE, whom she had met years back when doing work with FHDC. Over the years, the two have partnered whenever possible on initiatives that would benefit their community. Avila was interested in applicants who had completed their workforce training, with the majority being BIPOC and from underserved communities. It enabled OYEN to offer critical job opportunities to individuals from the very populations it is dedicated to serving.

When EVOLVE is informed of job opportunities, Guerra will inform Magdalena Ruiz, Workforce Development Manager at EVOLVE. From there, Ruiz and her team will share the job opening with their list of hundreds of participants in the network. Paredes was one of them. With a long-term goal to become a therapist, when she received an email from EVOLVE about the position, she applied. With support from the EVOLVE staff—who helped her refine her resume and offered courses on mock interviews, Paredes felt prepared and it showed. Paredes recently landed her position at OYEN, a role she describes as a dream come true.

As a receptionist, Paredes' days are filled with interactions that showcase the warmth and understanding of the OYEN staff. “Everyone here is so friendly and open,” she says. “We don’t have all the answers, but we’re committed to helping our clients,” emphasizing the clinic’s commitment to serving the community. Paredes believes that more resources, especially in mental health, are crucial for the community. Because OYEN is a bilingual clinic, it addresses the unique needs of clients who might otherwise struggle to find culturally competent care. Being at OYEN, Paredes says she is able to recognize firsthand how OYEN is making a difference in the community and is inspired by the changes she’s witnessed.

Her journey reflects the role that organizations like OYEN and EVOLVE play in fostering a supportive environment by helping communities of color access essential resources to thrive and contribute. Of the collaboration, Paredes says “It is opening a path and encouraging people to do better and do more for themselves. It’s helping people who don’t have as many opportunities.” OYEN's outreach to local community members to fill open clinic positions not only addresses staffing needs but also demonstrates a commitment to giving back by bringing meaningful career opportunities.

Since beginning her job at OYEN, Paredes says she has gained valuable skills that will benefit her long-term career aspirations of becoming a therapist. OYEN, she says, has gone above and beyond to support its employees. It’s not just receptionist work she’s experiencing; she has also had the opportunity to attend community events and network with community members. It has allowed her to grow outside of her receptionist position. The experience is not only preparing her for her future but also enriching her personal growth. 

Paredes stresses the importance of raising awareness of these local resources, particularly among immigrants, emphasizing that many people are unaware of these resources like the training programs offered by EVOLVE, and that she herself was not aware of the opportunities made available to her. Her story highlights the crucial role organizations like OYEN and EVOLVE play in fostering stronger, more resilient communities.

In a world where underserved communities often struggle to find their footing, the collaboration between OYEN and EVOLVE stands as a beacon of hope. Together, they are not just offering jobs; they are creating a culture of support, healing, and opportunity that empowers individuals like Paredes to build brighter futures for themselves and their families and a chance to thrive. Paredes’s story is just one of many that has been a result of this inspiring collaboration and her story truly embodies the transformative power of this partnership. 

For more information about OYEN, please reach out to Melinda Avila at melinda@oyenwellness.com.

For more information about EVOLVE, please reach out to Magdalena Ruiz at MagdalenaRuiz@evolvemanagement.org.