Introducing PCUN, The Newest Member of the Equity Collaborative
The Equity Collaborative formed in 2018 to engage the voices of communities of color who were not being heard in critical discussions about funding and policies related to their families. The Collaborative builds awareness of the need for culturally-specific services and mobilizes advocacy for communities of color. In 2019, SVP stepped up to serve as the initial fiscal sponsor, lead fundraiser, and capacity builder for the effort. Since children of color are a priority population for SVP, this engagement aligned with what was then a new public commitment to advancing racial equity, diversity, and inclusion.
PCUN (from Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste) is the sixth and newest member of the Equity Collaborative, which also includes Black Parent Initiative (BPI), Immigrant & Refugee Community Organization (IRCO), KairosPDX, Latino Network, and Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA). Since 2019, SVP Portland has served as fiscal coordinator, seed investor and capacity building partner to help the Collaborative realize its vision. PCUN started as a union for farm workers in 1985, fighting to gain collective bargaining rights. Since then, PCUN has become the largest Latinx organization in Oregon, and advocates for Oregon farmworkers and working Latinx families. The organization works tirelessly to empower Latinx communities, giving them tools to influence policy in ways that will improve their lives for the better.
According to PCUN Executive Director Reyna Lopez, “We picked the Collaborative because of the relationships we've built with some of the organizations that are part of it, and our desire to build new relationships with organizations we have not worked with in the past—especially as we work towards a common vision of changing systems to center BIPOC children, mothers, and caregivers.”
For some, PCUN might not seem like it has an obvious alignment with Equity Collaborative, but Reyna explains, “Our mission is to empower farmworkers and Latinx working families through community building, increasing representation, and systems change at the state and national levels. Our members made the decision that childcare should be a top priority for PCUN because of the impacts that the lack of culturally competent and responsive childcare has had on farmworkers and their families. Our vision is to build a universal, publicly-funded child care system in Oregon that is equitable, affordable, culturally-relevant, inclusive, developmentally appropriate, safe, and community-led. We can build a new child care system that works for everyone involved—parents, providers, and our kids—if our state lawmakers take bold action that centers those most impacted. Access to child care is necessary for joyful children, thriving families, and a strong economy.”
“The pandemic has made clear to the world what we‘ve always known about caregivers: without their work, no other work can happen. We have seen the devastating impact on employment when parents can‘t find child care, especially for mothers and families of color. We‘re fighting for a historic $100 million investment in child care, but we need to bring more folks to the table so that we can build a system informed from the ground up!”
Reyna, a passionate organizer, is proud of the accomplishments of the Equity Collaborative so far, and is looking forward to advocating for even more positive change for families, children, and childcare providers in the coming year. “We passed the Child Care for Oregon Priority Bill (HB 4005), which increased the amount of money providers who accept Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) subsidies receive per child, and allows them to get to more equitable rates. This will also increase purchasing power for parents who utilize ERDC.”
“But from now to 2024, we need to put everything we have into building the childcare system of our dreams. That is why we are a part of the Equity Collaborative! Si Se Puede!”