About Us
Objectives
Mission
The mission of Comunidades is to amplify Latino voices for environmental and social justice. We are dedicated to changing the infrastructures of power and inequality that affect our communities, as well as empowering people through civic engagement in Latino and immigrant communities whose voices would otherwise be limited and disenfranchised.
Vision
The vision of Comunidades is a community with healthy and empowered leadership that fights for social and environmental justice.
Values
Culture and Heritage
Education
Empowerment
Environmentalism
Inclusion
Integrity
Justice and Human Dignity
"Starting a new organization from scratch is a lot of dreaming, work, and patience. You need to dream with others to see your dream grow."
– Ubaldo Hernández | Comunidades Founder and Senior Organizer
Empowering our community
Our History
Comunidades was created by Latino parents, activists, educators, and other residents of the Gorge to address a need for a Latino-led environmental group.
The organization started after Columbia Riverkeeper hired Hernández as an organizer. He immediately began organizing Latino communities in safeguarding the health of the Columbia River. Comunidades grew organically through conversations and goals identified among Latino community members in the Gorge. We recognize environmental issues expand and converge with social injustices experienced by our communities.
The current goal of Comunidades is to develop Latino leaders and raise voices on the front lines committed to the issues that affect their lives: toxic pollution, pesticides, health equity, access to housing, workers' rights, racial discrimination and social justice.
Your Identity Matters
We work with our Latino, Migrant, Native Communities, and Communities of Color in General
As a group made up of minorities, Comunidades feels the importance of clarifying the vocabulary that we use to define ourselves and the people we represent in the United States.
Comunidades recognizes the diversity within the Latino community made up of immigrants, naturalized citizens, and indigenous people from over 30 countries. Comunidades respects and encourages those of Latin America and their descendants to utilize whatever language they find best represents their identity.
For the time being Comunidades believes that Latino or ‘la comunidad Latina’ will be our terminology when referencing our group demographic and community, and we are open to change as we continue to engage with our community.
Connection to Columbia Riverkeeper
Columbia Riverkeeper is the proud fiscal sponsor of Comunidades. To learn more about Riverkeeper go to their webpage: columbiariverkeeper.org
Get to know us
Staff Members
Ubaldo Hernandez
Director and Founder of Comunidades
Pronouns: He/Him
Ubaldo works as an Executive Director, conducting community outreach on clean water while promoting equity, inclusion, and diversity. Ubaldo has been an active member in the Latino community in the Columbia Gorge, participating in projects that promote awareness on issues that are relevant to Latinos in Oregon and Washington. In the last fifteen years, he has dedicated his free time to launch and participate in multiple projects benefiting the Latino community, including the local community radio station Radio Tierra. In his free time, he enjoys mountain biking, fishing, and hiking in the Columbia Gorge.
ubaldo@comunidades.org
(541) 490-7722
Karen Rodríguez
Community Organizer
Pronouns: She/Her
Karen Rodríguez is a community organizer at Comunidades, where she works on developing community programs, leadership initiatives, community journalism, and rights education for migrant and working-class communities. She also participates in training spaces, youth engagement, and community-strengthening efforts focused on social justice and human dignity. Originally from Colombia, Karen is a lawyer in her home country and continues to strengthen her academic and professional development in the United States. She is the mother of three wonderful daughters and is passionate about reading, especially topics related to women’s empowerment, personal growth, and community development. In addition, she develops creative and handmade projects inspired by her cultural roots and community work.
(541) 645-5832
Marcos aguirre
Communications Coordinator
Pronouns: He/Him
Marcos Aguirre is a multidisciplinary creative artist, video editor, and motion graphics designer originally from Guatemala with a passion for storytelling through visual media. With a career spanning graphic design, animation, interactive media, live streaming, short films, and motion graphics, Marcos blends cultural narratives, history, and community voices into compelling digital experiences. Over the years, he has collaborated with major organizations and businesses, producing impactful video campaigns, live-stream productions, interviews, and creative media projects that connect authentically with audiences. Deeply inspired by culture and tradition, Marcos continually experiments with both traditional and digital art forms while exploring innovative ways to elevate storytelling through video, animation, and live-streaming technology. Outside of his professional work, Marcos enjoys playing soccer and developing personal creative projects that continue to expand his artistic vision and creative horizons.
marcos@comunidades.org
(541) 645-5362
Board of Directors
Carmen Grodzki
Pronouns: she/her
Born in Mexico City and the mother of four children and grandmother to one grandson, Carmen has had immense passion for the Latin community since she was born. Her father was very involved as an individual with his community and family and it is in her blood. Carmen was part of the parent board for Mid-Columbia Head Start for a year and started to work a few hours per week at White Salmon Preschool as a Teacher Aide and Family Liaison and has become more involved with the Latino Community in the Gorge.
In 2005, Carmen started working with Washington Gorge Action Programs, with the Weatherization Program doing home visits. A year later, she moved to Programs For Peaceful Living, where I have been for a little more than 15 years. Carmen’s favorite thing to do during her free time is to spend time with her family, including my husbands' children, my grandson, and the family pets. When she is not with her family, she enjoys being outside in Nature: the sun, the dirt, seeing the beautiful view, and feeling peace inside.