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Adult Programs
Promotores
Promotores are residents of our communities who are selected for leadership potential, receive special training and support and then become “community connectors” for their neighbors. As peer leaders they each conduct 40 home visits (platicas) annually. The program builds upon the “popular education” model developed by Brazilian educator Paolo Freire, and applied in rural health program using lay community health workers to teach basic health education and self-help. Our program expands upon this model using data gathered through our resident surveys, community assessments, and observation to address barriers, using our Promotores as “connectors”. The program expands beyond health to address broad-ranging areas of concern and need for the families and help to connect them to resources in the community. These might include immigration, legal aid, parenting, schools, crime prevention, workforce, education.
We currently have 15 Promotores enrolled in the program. Our Promotores program is funded by generous grants from the United Way and Northwest Health Foundation. Learn more about Promotores >
Counseling Services
Provides individual, couples, family and group therapy for Bienestar residents.
Learn more about Counseling Services
ESL Classes
We are able to offer ESL training through individualized, self-paced instruction on computers in our computer labs with Rosetta Stone as well as on-site classes.
 GED
Preparation classes for GED certification are offered on Saturday mornings year-round for adults and teens. Bienestar staff member Juan Carlos Aguilera teaches these classes.
Computer Classes 
Basic computer skills are taught during the evenings at properties where we have computer labs, including Sunset Gardens, Montebello, Reedville and Jose Arciga Apartments. We have recently received a donation of ten computers from Spring Ridge Academy and Intel in Arizona that will allow us to expand our program. Fall '09 Outcome Report >
Community Gardens 
Small community garden plots are available to residents at Reedville, Jose Arciga, Jose Echeverria, and Elm Park apartments. Currently 40 families maintain garden plots growing vegetables. Community Gardens 09 Report
Financial Literacy Program
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In 2007-2008, our financial literacy program included: online training for Promotores, intensive training for youth-at-risk enrolled in our LISTOS program, an EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit) campaign with all residents, Financial Fitness for Life incorporated into our Homework Club. This fall we will launch a new three-year program, “Crece Su Dinero” that will begin with the very basics and then move into homeownership, microenterprise and asset building strategies in the third year. Our financial literacy efforts are supported through the generosity of Banner Bank, Key Bank, U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo, and Umpqua Bank. 2008 Outcome Report >
Homeownership Counseling
Our Program Services Manager, Gracie Garcia is a HUD and Neighborworks certified homeownership counselor. Each year she meets with families that are interested in pursuing homeownership and provides intensive individual counseling.
Job Club  Bienestar’s Job Club was launched in January, 2009 in response tothe numbers of resident families experiencing job loss and reduced hours of work and pay. Plans for responding to the urgent needs of families were made with Bienestar staff Gracie Garcia, Maria Moreno and Jorge Tello. Partners Mary Lewis of the Oregon Employment Department, Paula Moore from Dress for Success were engaged as partners in the effort. Outcome Report
Cooking & Nutrition  Classes Thanks to a wonderful partnership with OSU Extension Service in Washington County, residents at Reedville Apartments in Aloha have participated in a series of classes on preparing healthy family meals when on a tight budget. With all the food, materials and instruction supplied by OSU Extension Service, the classes take place in the community room at Reedville Apartments on weekday mornings. Outcome Report
Creation Vacation
 Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of the United Methodist
Church, twelve Bienestar families had an amazing vacation on the
Oregon Coast this summer. Creation Vacation is a project of the United Methodist Church to offer very low-income families the
opportunity to experience a few days of family vacation, enjoying a supportive community and the wonder of creation. For many, it is a respite from the struggles of daily life. Read More
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