Mi Voz
Working Together to Improve Our Community
Leadership and Advocacy
We aim to create meaningful change in organizational, city, county and state policies and systems. We do so through community-led processes that engage and mobilize community members committed to working collectively to solve community issues.
Mi Voz/My Voice
By working together with our neighbors, we can solve issues and reach our community’s goals and dreams
-Mi Voz community designed slogan
Mi Voz is dedicated to making positive changes in mobile home parks and the North College corridor by utilizing community strengths to create community solutions.
Three pillars guide and inform our work:
Community-Led: Utilizing community-led principals our work is informed and guided by community leaders. By ensuring issues and solutions are community based we not only address needs, we amplify the strengths of the community.
Civic Engagement/Advocacy: Working alongside community members to shape the community around them through engaging with elected officials, participating in public input, and mobilizing voices to make changes.
Leadership Development: Providing and connecting community members to leadership development opportunities to support community work.
Mi Voz builds on the desires and strengths of the Spanish speaking community.
Projects
Mobile Home Park Preservation and Resident Protection: Since 2018 residents of 7 mobile home parks have organized to advocate for a better quality of life. Neighborhood leadership teams from 3 mobile home parks advice and direct program activities. Below are success of the program to date:
- Community input surrounding preservation and protection of mobile home parks, anti-displacement, equity, and inclusion incorporated into Fort Collins City Plan
- Mobile Home Park Preservation and Resident Protection adopted as City Council 2-year priority (2019-2021)
- Built environment improvements: left-turn arrow, additional city park lighting, road re-pavement for safety Relationships built between community members and elected officials (City, County and School Board)
- Due to leadership development, community leaders were prepared to mobilize during COVID pandemic to meet the needs of the community
- Leading efforts and advocating for shaping the community around them
- Mobile home park improvements: safety lighting and tree trimming in mobile home parks
Urban Renewal Authority: Since 2019 mobile home residents have come together through a community asset project to advise on the use of vacant land and buildings along the North College corridor.
Community members have identified 3 priority areas to advocate for:
- Community Hub: A central location for community members to gather, celebrate, develop new skills, and access resources. Examples included: workforce development, community skill and asset sharing, mental health clinic, DMV, and family support services.
- Recreational Opportunities: Increased access and culturally appropriate activities so residents can be more active. This includes indoor and outdoor soccer fields, youth activity center, and better connections between parks and neighborhoods.
- Activities and Entertainment: Specifically for kids and families. A splash park, cook out areas, and a movie theatre that played Spanish movies were all mentioned.
Civic Engagement: Building relationships with elected officials and leaders is a cornerstone of our work. We work with community members on how to navigate government process and work with elected officials to move priorities forward. We also work with elected officials on how to best engage with the Spanish speaking community.
- Host quarterly meetings with City, County, School Board, and other elected officials in response to community identified goals
- Inform elected officials of cultural differences and how to build trust with community members
- Train community members how to set agenda, make asks, and advocate for community priorities