We’re excited to share how one of our Latino church partners in Hood River, Oregon, is making a meaningful impact in their community through our Lilly-funded Familias Unidas initiative. With a vision to create safe and welcoming spaces for Latino families, the church "Alas de Aguila" has launched a community garden that’s now bringing people together in powerful ways.
What started as a small idea has grown into a vibrant project, thanks to the dedication of the church and the support of local families. The garden includes vegetable beds, a children’s playground, and a kiosk where the church hosts events and workshops. Every other month, they offer seminars to equip parents with practical tools for connecting with their kids and passing on faith and family values.
Many Latino families in Hood River work in agriculture, so the garden feels like a natural extension of their daily lives—only now, it’s a space they’ve built for themselves and each other. Community members have joined in with their time, tools, and energy, turning this space into something special.
We’re proud to walk alongside churches like this one as they find creative, community-rooted ways to bring people together and embody the gospel in everyday life. This particular project not only brings people closer to the church, it also brings the church closer to the community.
