Growing Together: Families in Our Play & Learn Group
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When families walk into our P-3 (Prenatal to 3rd Grade) Play & Learn groups, they discover more than a classroom. They find a community where children gain confidence, parents build friendships, and families see their culture celebrated.
Behind that welcoming space is Isabel Mora, our P-3 Facilitator, whose own journey reflects the heart of El Programa: we are the community we serve.
Isabel’s Journey: From Volunteer to Leader
Isabel first connected with EPHC as a teenager, volunteering at Wilkes Elementary through our after-school program. “I didn’t have certificates or much experience yet, but I thought, if they see my work ethic, they’ll give me a chance.” That chance opened the door to a career in education.
From the start, Isabel wove culture into her work. She taught students how to drum, make tortillas, and dance traditional ballet folklórico. She noticed how proud children felt when they saw their heritage represented in the classroom.
“Soon they were showing up in their own traditional clothing, excited to share where their families came from.”
And it wasn’t just Latine children, kids from other cultures were eager to join in, learning dances, tasting foods, and celebrating traditions alongside their peers. For Isabel, those moments showed how cultural pride can open doors to mutual respect and curiosity across communities.
Today, Isabel leads our P-3 Play & Learn groups, where parents and children from birth to age five come together twice a week to play, learn, and connect.
“It’s about more than school readiness,” Isabel says. “It’s about families feeling welcome, children seeing themselves reflected, and parents finding community.”
Sofía: Helping Her Granddaughter Grow
Sofía first brought her granddaughter to the program when she was just two years old, born during the isolation of the pandemic. At the time, her granddaughter was fearful and shy.
“At first she cried a lot and was afraid of being around many people … but this program helped her become more independent, more social, and much happier.”
The impact extended to Sofía too. “It has helped me connect with new people, share experiences, and find support. That motivates me to keep coming.”
She dreams of more opportunities for children beyond age five, because she has seen how transformative these early years can be.
Shayde: Building Confidence and Connection
For Shayde, joining Juguemos Juntos was about connection with her kids and with other families.
“As a parent, it helps you get out of the house, spend time with your kids, and see them share and learn with other children. It changes the environment for both of us.”
Just as important to her is language and culture. “It feels so good to have a program in Spanish. For my kids, it’s important too and there aren’t many programs that give them that chance to practice their first language.”
From everyday group activities to special trips to the Oregon Zoo or OMSI, Shayde sees her children growing in confidence and curiosity. “For me, one word captures it all: confianza: confidence.”
Join Us in Building Futures
For Isabel, the motivation is simple: “I think of my younger self, struggling in school without someone to lean on. Now I want to be that person for these kids and families. They inspire me every day.”
When we invest in staff like Isabel and families like Sofía’s and Shaide’s, we’re investing in brighter futures for our whole community.
You can help these programs thrive:
- Volunteer with us and share your time, energy, and encouragement with students who need caring adults by their side.
- Donate to ensure more youth have access to meals, mentors, and meaningful opportunities year-round.
- Share (see sharing options below) these stories with your friends and family so the voices of our youth are heard and celebrated.
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