It was the very start of Leadership Park City Class 30 when Chantal Guadarrama, Emma Zevallos, Miriam Nieto, and Seychelle Marcus started bonding and brainstorming an idea that would ultimately become the Leadership Class Project. The women, all of whom are Women’s Giving Fund members and work within the community, came together to lead the creation of Colectiva, a website where someone in Summit County can easily access available resources in Spanish — whether it be childcare, legal help, healthcare, or community events — all in one place.
Chantal was the one to bring the idea up after she noticed a gap: there was a lack of resources within Summit County to help the Spanish-speaking community, who play such a vital role in the county’s workforce but are so often underrepresented. Chantal works closely with the Latinx community of Summit County as the Health Department’s Behavioral Health Program Specialist, and as a Latina woman herself, she’s intimately aware of the disparities in access to resources for those who don’t speak English.
During the Leadership Class orientation at the National Ability Center, Chantal and Miriam were roommates. Even early on, the pair decided they wanted to propose a class project that would help the Latinx community, and they started to bounce ideas off one another. The next day, they roped Emma into the conversation.
“That’s how the idea began, with Chantal’s idea to connect the [Latinx] community. The three of us work very closely with that community,” Miriam, who is Director of Education at Holy Cross Ministries, said.
Later in the year, several project ideas were proposed by the class, and the vote came close, but ultimately, the class chose Colectiva.
“It was a very collaborative effort because everyone has different expertise,” Emma, who is Director of Prevention Education at the Peace House, said. While Chantal, Miriam, and Emma focused their efforts on gathering their nonprofit and Latinx community connections, Seychelle, who is Lead Open Space Technician at Basin Recreation, became the project manager in charge of organization and communication for the team. Alongside the women championing the project, Frank Hammond and Roberto Oliveras stepped in to help the development of Colectiva.
Creating a Sense of Belonging
“We noticed that the Spanish-speaking community doesn’t engage as easily with the rest of Summit County. There’s almost this feeling like we don’t belong,” Chantal said. “That’s my passion behind it –– to let them know and integrate them into our community because they belong here. They’re part of us and they’re part of how Summit County runs. So, they should be part of the rest of everything else that’s offered.”
“I still remember how it was to be an immigrant when I moved here,” Emma said. She has lived in the United States now for 20 years, but only two years in Park City. She said it can be scary when you move somewhere where you don’t speak the language or have the resources or privileges of the locals.
Though not an immigrant or Latina herself, Seychelle knows what it is like to feel different than those in your community. She was born and raised in Utah, but as a Jewish woman has faced bullying and ostracization herself. “Being able to bring cultures together in a welcoming community is something that I’ve always been passionate about,” Seychelle said.
Miriam reflected on the work it takes to feel like they belong as women of color in change-making spaces. They have to work harder to make their voice heard, and that can lead to imposter syndrome. But when women come together and support each other and work together in a non-competitive way, that’s when change is possible. “To me that’s powerful… many things can get accomplished through strong women who support each other and also become your friends. To me, that’s gold,” Miriam said.
Friendships That Drive Growth and Purpose
Chantal said her friendship with the other women on this project empowered her to do things she otherwise wouldn’t have done. “They have given me the strength and the idea that I do belong. Like with Miriam saying that I do belong in certain spaces, that my voice is valuable. And I’ve learned from them.”
Miriam said it is both intimidating and a great experience to be a part of groups like Leadership Park City or Women’s Giving Fund. “Those are spaces that could feel intimidating for people like us, people of color, people that are from different backgrounds. But I think we are also making a statement that we do belong, and we have important things to say,” she said.
Emma agreed that there are times when she looks around the room and doesn’t see anyone who looks like her or comes from the same background as her, it can feel like she doesn’t belong. But she’s learned to put on her “crown and cape” and make sure people know that she does belong, and friends like those she’s made with other women in Women’s Giving Fund and Leadership, have helped her to feel that confidence.
Miriam said it’s important in spaces like Leadership and Women’s Giving Fund for those with more privilege to approach people like them and get to know them. When someone approaches her with genuine intent to get to know her it makes her feel welcomed.
Chantal said she is a bit more on the shy side and doesn’t always have the courage to wear the “crown and cape” like Emma. “If I could say something, it’s to find those safe people. Safe people like Miriam and Emma who believe in you or who give you that little push to be like, ‘You know what? Just throw out your idea, who knows what will happen?’” Chantal said. “So, just find the safe space and don’t be scared to sometimes dream aloud.”
What’s Next
The Colectiva website is still being built, but Seychelle estimates it will take less than eight months or so to finish it and launch. The group is collecting as many local resources, classes, and events as possible to add to Colectiva and categorize them under different tabs, so users can easily find what they’re searching for.
This project has the capacity to help all Latinx members of the community, but it will be particularly powerful for women and families. If you have a resource that would be helpful to be included, please reach out to: cguadarrama@summitcountyutah.gov
Thank you to Chantal Guadarrama, Emma Zevallos, Miriam Nieto, and Seychelle Marcus for their leadership on this project and working to create more community belonging in our area!