This episode of The Nonprofit Report features a coalition of leaders from Napa Valley working at the intersection of immigration, legal services, education, and community development to support immigrant families.
Guests:
Blanca Huijon, Executive Director, Puertas Abiertas;
Jenny Ocon, Executive Director, UpValley Family Centers;
Madeline Hernandez, North Bay Regional Directing Attorney, Immigration Institute of the Bay Area;
Alissa Abdo, Executive Director, On the Move
Interview by: Mark Oppenheim
Key Points:
- The organizations united to support immigrant families of the Napa valley region, forming the “Napa Valley Together: Allies for Immigrants” coalition.
- Immigrant workers comprise up to 75% of Napa Valley’s vineyard and wine industry workforce.
- Puertas Abiertas offers culturally centered programs including wellness, self-sufficiency, and civic engagement for Latino families.
- UpValley Family Centers and On the Move run neighborhood-based family resource centers that serve as trusted access points for critical services.
- The Immigration Institute of the Bay Area (IIBA) provides legal services and was invited to Napa in 2013 following a study showing high demand for citizenship support.
- Fear driven by national rhetoric and policy changes increases trauma and suppresses access to health and social services.
- Collaborative community education efforts target not only immigrant families, but also employers, school leaders, and local government.
- Comprehensive immigration reform is urgently needed to provide legal pathways for long-term residents and stabilize essential workforces.
Other Points on Supporting Immigrants:
Each organization plays a unique but complementary role in the collaborative network. Family resource centers provide culturally relevant programming and direct service access in trusted settings. Legal experts from IIBA and affiliated nonprofits guide families through complex immigration processes. Educational programs equip communities with tools to protect against fraud and advocate for policy change.
Leaders report growing anxiety in the immigrant community, fueled by misinformation and public fear tactics. The collaborative response includes Know Your Rights trainings, preparedness planning, and advocacy campaigns to protect access to healthcare, food, housing, and education. Youth leaders also play a vital role in community resilience.
All four leaders called for comprehensive immigration reform and emphasized the economic and ethical necessity of legal pathways to citizenship. With immigrant labor forming the backbone of regional economies, a stable, just immigration system is not just humane—it’s essential.
In Napa Valley and beyond, this coalition proves that with trust, coordination, and a commitment to dignity, communities can rise to meet systemic challenges and build a more inclusive future.