Current & Past Events
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Just Like Us
August 25-26, 2017
Carson Auditorium, Alamsoa Co.
SLVIRC was able to make their long time dream of offering the Just Like Us is a play a reality. The play was written by Karen Zacarias based on the book of the same title written by Helen Thorpe. The play was done in collaboration with the San Luis Valley Theatre Company. "Just Like Us" tells the story of four high school students whose parents entered the United States illegally. The play gave the audience an insight on what it means to be undocumented and how that status prevents the young people to pursue their dreams to go to college and overcome poverty. Thank you all who attended the play and for your continued support.
Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition 2015 Assembly
October 23-25, 2015
Silverthorne, CO
SLVIRC employees had the pleasure of attending the 2015 CIRC Assembly in Summit County in October. More than 200 people from advocacy and legal services organizations from all over the state participated. SLVIRC had the opportunity to attend workshops on university access for undocumented youth, refugees and asylees, reproductive rights, civic engagement, and more. In addition, group activities such as a law enforcement panel and discussions of CIRC's priorities for the upcoming year helped to give SLIVRC an idea of new resources available to clients.
SLVIRC employees at the 2015 CIRC Assembly
Santa Eulalia Festival
Saturday, February 7, 2015
Sacred Heart Church, Alamosa, CO
On February 7, 2015, the Q’anjob’al Maya community in Alamosa hosted a festival in honor the virgin of Santa Eulalia. This festival honors the patron saint of the town of Santa Eulalia in Huehuetenango, Guatemala. The festival begin with a mass and was followed by a dinner of traditional food, a ceremony crowning the new Princesa Maya Q’anjob’al, marimba music by Espiritu Maya, and dancing. See below for photos of the event, and click here to visit our YouTube channel to enjoy videos of the celebration courtesy of Fransisco Lucas.
Mass begins at Sacred Heart Fransisco & Lucia enter Princess Maya Q'anjob'al 2014-2015
Crowning Princess Maya Q'anjob'al 2015-2016 The new princess
IRC Director Flora Archuleta and volunteers Ellen Bauder and Betsey Downing were recognized for their service to the community
Pastoral Maya 2012, Alamosa, CO
July 27th-29th, 2012
Adams State University
For more information please contact Flora Archuleta at 719-587-3225 ext 11
A brief history:
Pastoral Maya began in the mid-1990s from the efforts of Maya immigrants, and with funding and support from the Office of Pastoral Care of Migrants and Refugees of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. One of the major activities of Pastoral maya is holding educational and organizational conferences. The organizational style of the conferences has been to bring together Maya leaders from across the United States to engage in inspirational discussions and workshops, resulting in ideas and strategies to take home to their communities. Conferences included discussions on the urgency of education, the desire to maintain important aspects of Maya culture and spirituality, health and safety, and the needs of the communities and families still in Guatemala. Discussion included matters of human rights and legal rights. Approximately 40 communities are associated with Pastoral Maya, each community connected with the Pastoral Maya National Board of Directors, and each community with its local leadership. The recognized spiritual leader of Pastoral Maya is Father David Lopez of Guatemala, and the Conference of Catholic Bishops continues to support Pastoral Maya programs. (pastoralmayausa.org)
Know your Rights Training
Place: Sacred Heart Church, Alamosa, Colorado
On November 3, 2011, the San Luis Valley Immigrant Resource Center (IRC) sponsored a “Know Your Rights Training” at Sacred Heart Church Education Building at 6:00 p.m. There were approximately 12 individuals who participated in the training. Julie Gonzales from the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC) lead the training and Antonio Sandoval assisted her. The training is basically to inform the Immigrant Population about the civil rights afforded anyone living in the United States regardless of immigration status. Often in many parts of the country immigrants are subjected to questioning that is contrary or at the very least outside the boundaries of the United States Constitution. The “know Your Rights Training” is designed to inform and educate through role playing scenarios what are the best practices for immigrants to interact with law enforcement officials . The same training was given at the Tierra Nueva Migrant Farm Worker Family Housing in Alamosa on December 9, 2011. Both of these training opportunities were well received by the immigrant community.
Bearing Testament: My Experience as a Human Rights Observer and Photojournalist in Guatemala, December 14, 2011
Place: Adams State College, Alamosa, Colorado
The SLV Immigrant Resource Center along with other sponsors participated in this presentation given by Graham Hunt. Mr. Hunt is a human rights photographer, working in Guatemala, accompanying witnesses in genocide cases against notorious wartime military leaders. He documents popular resistance to mega-development initiatives and how indigenous communities defend their lands.
There were two presentations held and each time had a good turn out of community members. Mr. Hunt was well-informed and well-spoken. His presentation helped shed light on the current situation in Guatemala and the audience provided great feedback, questions and additional information.
Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition Assembly 2011, October 1-2, 2011
Place: Estes Park, Colorado
The CIRC Assembly is a private event open to CIRC members and partner organizations. The SLV Immigrant Resource Center sent five people to represent the San Luis Valley at the Assembly. The Assembly was a success and many pertinent immigration topics were discussed and plans made for a strong 2012. Guest speakers included: State Senate President Brandon Shaffer and State Senator Mike Johnston.
Immigrant Appreciation Gathering and Barbecue Sept. 17, 2011
Place: Boyd Park, Alamosa, CO
The Voces del Valle program of the SLV IRC held a gathering in appreciation of the immigrants it serves. There were approximately 150 people in attendance. There was good food, good music and lots of good friends. Our friends from Tu Casa, Inc were there painting faces and enjoying the children. La Puente came out as well with some information and a bean bag toss game. A big thanks to the Colorado State Patrol and Alamosa Police Department for dropping by.
If you want to know more about any of these events or any event that is coming up in the future, please call the office at 719-587-3225 for more information.
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Mission Statement
To connect and empower immigrants with resources to achieve legal documentation, fulfill their economic needs, and integrate into the community.
Board of Directors
Michelle Salazar
Nicolas Sarmiento
Marisol Cristobal Lucas
Eric Carpio
Anna Osterhout
Ivan Garcia
Samuel Maestas