We cannot build trust during a crisis if we haven't built relationships before the crisis happens.

read on - sanarnetwork.com - August 14, 2026

Moving From Reaction to Preparation: Supporting Latino Families in Yamhill County

I was honored to participate in a meaningful panel discussion on how we can better support Latino families in Yamhill County impacted by ICE raids and family separation.

Thank you to Caitlin Nemeth and the Yamhill County Public Health team for bringing us together, and to Ximena from Unidos Bridging Community and Salvador from HEMPY for sharing their wisdom and commitment to our community.

Key Takeaways

A major theme was the importance of meeting people where they are and responding from a trauma-informed perspective.

Community leaders shared practical approaches, including:

• Partnering with churches and trusted community leaders to share resources in familiar spaces.
• Using online platforms for people who may not feel comfortable or safe leaving home.
• Using WhatsApp, rather than relying only on email, when that is the community's preferred way to communicate.
• Strengthening relationships with local deputies and other community partners.
• Developing rapid-response systems so families know where to turn when someone reports being detained by ICE.
• Sharing more real experiences from people who have used hotlines and support systems, including how to respond when someone may be impersonating an ICE agent.

Questions We Must Keep Asking

How do we build trust when systems are already mistrusted?

What does a truly safe space look like?

How can organizations make resources more accessible?

And most importantly:

Are we bringing resources to our community—or expecting our community to find us?

A trauma-informed approach means listening, building trust, reducing barriers, and meeting people where they are.

From Reaction to Preparation

We cannot wait for the next crisis to decide how we will respond.

Preparedness is community care.

SANAR Network is committed to connecting bilingual and culturally responsive professionals and organizations to strengthen support for Latino communities across the Pacific Northwest.

Let's move from reaction to preparation—and from preparation to action.

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Visit our website to explore our newest article, The Urgent Need for Bilingual Therapists in the Pacific Northwest.

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Warmly,

Richi & Mariah Sede
Co-Founders, Sanar Network

P.S. If your organization serves Latino families, ask yourself: Would our community know that we are here for them?