Building for the Future in East County
As part of SVP Portland, the Encore Fellows program provides a source of expertise for nonprofit organizations, helps individuals (Fellows) transition from their careers into social-purpose work, and gives corporations a new way to positively impact their communities. Encore Fellows who have retired from a career are matched with host nonprofit organizations based on their passions, skills, and experience.
I did not know what to expect when I engaged with SVP Portland to discuss the Encore Fellows program. Having been furloughed at the start of the pandemic, I found myself reflecting on a 25-year career in sales management and realized I wanted to do something more with my life. I was only sure of two things: selling consumer goods no longer had any appeal, and I wanted to do something meaningful – to contribute to my community. After an initial meeting with SVP, I enrolled in a graduate program at Portland State University to pursue a Master’s in Public Administration. A few months later SVP offered me an Encore Fellowship with their longtime Community Partner Latino Network, and it turned out to be the ideal opportunity.
Latino Network is a nonprofit serving the greater Portland-metro area, with a mission to positively transform the lives of Latino youth, families, and communities. Primarily a service provider, Latino Network administers a variety of programs benefiting Latino residents, including advocacy and leadership development, early childhood education, economic justice, educational access, health and wellness, and youth violence prevention – just to name a few. After 26-years in the community, their outreach constantly evolves to address the increasing needs of the fast-growing, under-served Latinx population. Latino Network, with SVP and other local community-based organizations, works to make systemic change through public, private, and nonprofit collaboration. Multnomah County’s recently passed Preschool for All legislation is an excellent example of this transformative work.
Latino Network’s top priority is to realize the long-held dream of establishing a Latinx community center in East County/Gresham. It will be named La Plaza Esperanza, which translates to A Place of Hope. In addition to an in-house, culturally-specific preschool, the building will serve as home base for many of Latino Network’s programs and outreach efforts. Building La Plaza Esperanza will require raising $18 million and, toward that end, the nonprofit launched a capital campaign in January of 2021. To date, they have raised $11.4 million toward the goal, with a target to break ground in early 2023 and a hope to open La Plaza Esperanza in Spring of 2024. The campaign has incredible momentum with a wide diversity of donor support including individual residents, local businesses, public agencies, and philanthropic foundations.
I joined the Latino Network team as an Encore Fellow and the Capital Campaign Coordinator in September of 2021. To say it has been a rewarding experience would be an understatement. The coordinator role has me involved in all aspects of the campaign, including fundraising, donor research, meeting coordination, event management, special projects, and liaison duties with the project team and Latino Network leadership. I work closely with Latino Network’s executive director, the director of development and communications, and the campaign consultant. The Fellowship presents the opportunity to engage with elected officials, public agencies, nonprofits, businesses, foundations, and private donors. The insight I have acquired into the philanthropic community and exposure to how effective collaborative leadership is exercised cannot be replicated in a classroom setting. I have enjoyed the opportunity to give input into grant writing and funding proposals, as well as learning to navigate the dizzying world of public-nonprofit partnerships. It has been a gratifying experience, and I have gotten more from the arrangement than I ever imagined. The projects, programs, and advocacy efforts I have been exposed to at Latino Network have been the focus of several papers for my graduate school program, so the Fellowship is paying dividends well beyond the insight into nonprofit management. I have a newfound, fundamental understanding of how the nonprofit, public, and private sectors can intersect and create lasting change. I also enjoyed the opportunity to play a role in the production of our capital campaign video. Please take a look – it is worth the quick watch in order to get a sense of the vision for La Plaza Esperanza: Soñando Juntos.
The experience with Latino Network gives me hope because I have seen what they have accomplished. The work is difficult, ongoing, and often under-appreciated. Similarly, I have gained profound respect for the important work SVP is doing by providing financial support and Partner expertise. SVP assists nonprofits to multiply their efforts and affect lasting change in the community. It has been a pleasure to work closely with SVP Partners Holly Levow and Mark Holloway. They have been critical to the campaign’s success, playing integral roles in raising awareness of the campaign and challenging the local philanthropic community to get involved. The campaign represents an incredible team of people united in their desire to make La Plaza Esperanza a reality. The work is fulfilling, and I am humbled to play a small role.
Jim Mauceri
Encore Fellow