Q&A with NWHF’s new Team Support Manager, Guadalupe Mendoza

We’re excited to welcome a new Team Support Manager, Guadalupe Mendoza, to the Northwest Health Foundation team! We asked them a few questions to get to know them better. Check out their answers below.

What communities do you identify with?

I’m Central American, Mexican, a queer person, those are the first communities that come to mind. I was born and raised in Vancouver, on occupied Chinook and Cowlitz land. I also identify as an artist.

What excites you about your new role at NWHF? What program are you most drawn to?

What excites me is to be part of an amazing team and support the awesome work my colleagues are already doing. I look forward to developing and managing some of the logistical and operational work. Additionally, I’m really looking forward to coordinating relationship building amongst staff and our board members. One of the programs that’s really exciting right now is the Justice Reinvestment Equity Program. I look forward to seeing that come more into fruition.

What drives you to work in the social justice philanthropic and nonprofit field?

I’m a product of my community. I’ve been raised and nourished  through community. For me to be as unapologetic as I am in my existence is because community has uplifted me and given me this space, fought for me to take up this space. That drives me to be in this field and to continue to do work that creates that upliftment for other people. 

I’ve been really grateful to have worked in different sectors in social justice and in organizing. I want to give back to the folks who have uplifted me. I think of it generationally. I want to continue to create those avenues and spaces, to make sure they continue after me. I always have my family in mind, my nieces and nephews. So I want to continue to cultivate that and nourish it and make sure it exists for them too. I’m looking forward to bringing my experience into the philanthropic sector and supporting the work my colleagues are doing to support, invest in and uplift minoritized communities in Oregon and SW Washington.  

What kind of social justice work have you done before?

I’ve organized spaces for Latine folks with the intention of promoting education, art, culture and our stories. I’ve been able to organize events in promotion of higher education for Black and brown folks, give them an in on what options are available to them. I’ve been able to serve youth navigating unstable housing, and be a source of supporting them in their academic journey.

In my previous role, we focused on addressing gun violence in Black and brown communities in Seattle, reintegrating folks back into communities and creating a support system. 

How have you been practicing self care and/or community care in the last couple years?

I feel really privileged to be able to say this. In the last seven months, I took a sabbatical. It took a lot to get there. Rest is radical, but it’s also very difficult to see it as medicine when you’re worried that you’re not producing. One of the best ways I’ve practiced self care is by practicing rest and recovery, seeing that as an act of love to myself and my community. When we take care of ourselves, we’re better able to show up for the communities we serve. During that time I was able to visit my ancestral lands and spend time with my family. 

I also love music, dancing and reading as well as spending time in nature.

What brings you joy?

We live in such an amazing geographic location. The fact that nature is all around us brings me a lot of joy. Having access to walks and hikes and pretty plants. Art also brings me joy, whether that’s creating it or being around the art of other people. My family and friends also bring me a lot of joy.

The groundedness of being rooted in community. I love seeing younger generations take the time to understand themselves and the commitment they put into authentically showing up as themselves.