Community Ambassadors

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Consultation has concluded

Who are the Community Ambassadors? 

Community Ambassadors are an integral part of the Tucson Norte-Sur Phase I community engagement efforts to help ensure that community voices are centered in guiding the plan. They have deep ties to their various communities across the study-area. They have been recruited based on their breadth of knowledge, community involvement, and valuable perspectives in order to carry out a variety of on-the-ground engagement activities. The group is representative and reflective of this corridor.

Community Ambassadors literally meet the community where they are. Instead of asking people to come to public meetings, the Ambassadors go to them and engage community members in conversations about the Tucson Norte-Sur Plan. They host diverse community dialogues with small groups of residents at times and places that are convenient for them. They meet community members at places where they already congregate such as transit centers, grocery stores, or neighborhood events. They also bring their own talents and creative connections to this project whether it’s getting people to fill out surveys while serving them out of a food truck or hopping on a bus and engaging the riders about the plan.

These engagement activities are focused on hearing from the people who live, work, travel and have history in the study area to make sure that the Tucson Norte-Sur reflects their vision and priorities.

Community Ambassadors have completed a series of trainings, including background information on Tucson Norte-Sur. They are working closely with Selina Barajas, the Lead Community Ambassador, who's overseeing the program and supporting the ambassadors in their outreach and engagement efforts.




Come share with the Community Ambassadors at one of our upcoming events!

  • 12 pop-up events with information about the project and activities to share ideas (April - May) – Check out the upcoming pop-up events on the right to get involved!
  • 12 Community Dialogues with community stakeholders (May - June) – Interested in hosting a community dialogue? Contact Selina Barajas at sbarajas@azplanningcenter.com or (520) 209-2636, ext. 7118.

Community Ambassadors play a crucial role in making public engagement more approachable, inclusive, and accessible. Through community dialogues, pop-ups, and other creative outreach/engagement activities, they gather thoughts, ideas, and concerns from community members and share them with the rest of the project team to guide the Tucson Norte-Sur strategic plan. The first phase of their engagement work will wrap up at the end of June 2022.





What We've Been Hearing

 Check out what the Community Ambassadors have been hearing so far here. 

Who are the Community Ambassadors? 

Community Ambassadors are an integral part of the Tucson Norte-Sur Phase I community engagement efforts to help ensure that community voices are centered in guiding the plan. They have deep ties to their various communities across the study-area. They have been recruited based on their breadth of knowledge, community involvement, and valuable perspectives in order to carry out a variety of on-the-ground engagement activities. The group is representative and reflective of this corridor.

Community Ambassadors literally meet the community where they are. Instead of asking people to come to public meetings, the Ambassadors go to them and engage community members in conversations about the Tucson Norte-Sur Plan. They host diverse community dialogues with small groups of residents at times and places that are convenient for them. They meet community members at places where they already congregate such as transit centers, grocery stores, or neighborhood events. They also bring their own talents and creative connections to this project whether it’s getting people to fill out surveys while serving them out of a food truck or hopping on a bus and engaging the riders about the plan.

These engagement activities are focused on hearing from the people who live, work, travel and have history in the study area to make sure that the Tucson Norte-Sur reflects their vision and priorities.

Community Ambassadors have completed a series of trainings, including background information on Tucson Norte-Sur. They are working closely with Selina Barajas, the Lead Community Ambassador, who's overseeing the program and supporting the ambassadors in their outreach and engagement efforts.




Come share with the Community Ambassadors at one of our upcoming events!

  • 12 pop-up events with information about the project and activities to share ideas (April - May) – Check out the upcoming pop-up events on the right to get involved!
  • 12 Community Dialogues with community stakeholders (May - June) – Interested in hosting a community dialogue? Contact Selina Barajas at sbarajas@azplanningcenter.com or (520) 209-2636, ext. 7118.

Community Ambassadors play a crucial role in making public engagement more approachable, inclusive, and accessible. Through community dialogues, pop-ups, and other creative outreach/engagement activities, they gather thoughts, ideas, and concerns from community members and share them with the rest of the project team to guide the Tucson Norte-Sur strategic plan. The first phase of their engagement work will wrap up at the end of June 2022.





What We've Been Hearing

 Check out what the Community Ambassadors have been hearing so far here. 

Ambassador Bios

Learn a little bit more about our Community Ambassadors and why they care about their community!

Thank you for sharing your story with us.
CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
  • Share Lucy LiBosha on Facebook Share Lucy LiBosha on Twitter Share Lucy LiBosha on Linkedin Email Lucy LiBosha link

    Lucy LiBosha

    by Nora Bland, almost 4 years ago

    Bio: Lucy LiBosha is a community organizer and has vested interest in projects with Tucson, specifically in improving and expanding the current transportation infrastructure in our city - a less car-centered system that is inclusive of all forms of transportation (to include walking, biking, wheelchair accessibility, etc). As a former member of Complete Streets Coordinating Committee, Lucy currently serves as a Commissioner of Tucson Parks and Recreation (Ward 5, Richard Fimbres). Lucy was also a public school educator, former candidate for Tucson City Council and served as a Move Tucson Ambassador. Lucy was instrumental in getting feedback from the community... Continue reading

    Bio: Lucy LiBosha is a community organizer and has vested interest in projects with Tucson, specifically in improving and expanding the current transportation infrastructure in our city - a less car-centered system that is inclusive of all forms of transportation (to include walking, biking, wheelchair accessibility, etc). As a former member of Complete Streets Coordinating Committee, Lucy currently serves as a Commissioner of Tucson Parks and Recreation (Ward 5, Richard Fimbres). Lucy was also a public school educator, former candidate for Tucson City Council and served as a Move Tucson Ambassador. Lucy was instrumental in getting feedback from the community on our city-wide transportation master plan. For the past five years, Lucy has lived near the Tucson Mall and the Tohono Regional Transit Center and has used public transportation, commuting by bike, car and walking. For Lucy, equitable mobility recognizes and acknowledges the need for mass transportation as a means to address societal/community needs, as well environmental concerns, and dares to address these needs in a global society and a thriving community is a safe community, a community where stakeholders are involved, children are safe to play in every neighborhood and there are multi--forms of transportation, streamlined throughout the City.


  • Share Dolores Maria Estrada on Facebook Share Dolores Maria Estrada on Twitter Share Dolores Maria Estrada on Linkedin Email Dolores Maria Estrada link

    Dolores Maria Estrada

    by Nora Bland, almost 4 years ago

    Bio: Dolores Estrada is very familiar with the proposed route as she is a native Tucsonan. Having grown up on the southside and attended SUSD schools, Dolores now commutes from the westside to the southside to work and to take care of others. She signed up to be a Community Ambassador to gain experience and knowledge in transportation and mobility and also to help educate the community about their resources. Dolores defines equitable mobility as an opportunity for easier access for individuals to have transportation to get to their desired destinations.


    Bio: Dolores Estrada is very familiar with the proposed route as she is a native Tucsonan. Having grown up on the southside and attended SUSD schools, Dolores now commutes from the westside to the southside to work and to take care of others. She signed up to be a Community Ambassador to gain experience and knowledge in transportation and mobility and also to help educate the community about their resources. Dolores defines equitable mobility as an opportunity for easier access for individuals to have transportation to get to their desired destinations.


  • Share Viri Acosta on Facebook Share Viri Acosta on Twitter Share Viri Acosta on Linkedin Email Viri Acosta link

    Viri Acosta

    by Nora Bland, almost 4 years ago

    Bio: Viridiana ‘Viri’ Acosta moved to the City of South Tucson at 11 years old and still resides in the area. Viri’s family sold produce at the Tanque Verde Swapmeet for over 20 years now and today, Viri is a business owner of Viri Viri Bomb Bomb, a mobile business that makes fresh limonadas to ceviche. For Viri, equitable mobility is a community in which people have the resources available they need to reach their goals and succeed in life.

    Bio: Viridiana ‘Viri’ Acosta moved to the City of South Tucson at 11 years old and still resides in the area. Viri’s family sold produce at the Tanque Verde Swapmeet for over 20 years now and today, Viri is a business owner of Viri Viri Bomb Bomb, a mobile business that makes fresh limonadas to ceviche. For Viri, equitable mobility is a community in which people have the resources available they need to reach their goals and succeed in life.

  • Share Selina Barajas on Facebook Share Selina Barajas on Twitter Share Selina Barajas on Linkedin Email Selina Barajas link

    Selina Barajas

    by Nora Bland, almost 4 years ago



    Bio: Selina Barajas, a native Tucsonan alum from both Sunnyside and Tucson Unified School Districts and the University of Arizona. She holds a master’s degree in Urban Planning from UCLA and has experience advocating for social, cultural and economic development initiatives for the community. While in Los Angeles, Selina worked for both the nonprofit and government sector and enjoyed planning community building events with the Pico Neighborhood of Santa Monica and City of Inglewood. Now residing back in her hometown with her family, Selina has worked on transportation and mobility projects, such as the 12th Avenue Street Improvement Project, Proposition... Continue reading



    Bio: Selina Barajas, a native Tucsonan alum from both Sunnyside and Tucson Unified School Districts and the University of Arizona. She holds a master’s degree in Urban Planning from UCLA and has experience advocating for social, cultural and economic development initiatives for the community. While in Los Angeles, Selina worked for both the nonprofit and government sector and enjoyed planning community building events with the Pico Neighborhood of Santa Monica and City of Inglewood. Now residing back in her hometown with her family, Selina has worked on transportation and mobility projects, such as the 12th Avenue Street Improvement Project, Proposition 407 Bicycle Boulevard’s on Tucson’s south side, the Move Tucson initiative and currently Tucson Norte-Sur. Selina serves as the Lead Community Ambassador, working alongside thirteen Community Ambassadors. It remains a top priority for Selina to promote and support local businesses, creatives and makers, especially those who traditionally are undervalued. In addition to her equitable community development work, she is the co-founder of Avenidas Inc., a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit committed to catalyzing empowerment, inspiration and economic development for the surrounding South Tucson community and beyond. Avenidas Inc. celebrates culture through economic re:development and re:investment. In her free time, you can catch Selina cruising the streets of Tucson, reimagining vacant spaces, admiring local murals, all with a cafecito in hand!

  • Share Jenny Granados on Facebook Share Jenny Granados on Twitter Share Jenny Granados on Linkedin Email Jenny Granados link

    Jenny Granados

    by Nora Bland, almost 4 years ago

    Places I call home: Tucson's THRIVE 05 area (85705 zip code)

    What I love to do:     Reading, making music, arts and crafts

    My favorite place along the corridor and why:     The loop entry point at River/Campbell Avenue and Downtown Tucson


    Organizations I belong to:     THRIVE in the 05, ASU Office of Community Health, Engagement and Resiliency

    Bio:     Yo quise ser promotora comunitaria de este proyecto porque historicamente, las poblaciones de residentes no han sido consideradas o incluidas en los planes de la ciudad. Quiero asegurar de que nuestras voces se oigan y que este proyecto sea lo que nosotros <&lt... Continue reading

    Places I call home: Tucson's THRIVE 05 area (85705 zip code)

    What I love to do:     Reading, making music, arts and crafts

    My favorite place along the corridor and why:     The loop entry point at River/Campbell Avenue and Downtown Tucson


    Organizations I belong to:     THRIVE in the 05, ASU Office of Community Health, Engagement and Resiliency

    Bio:     Yo quise ser promotora comunitaria de este proyecto porque historicamente, las poblaciones de residentes no han sido consideradas o incluidas en los planes de la ciudad. Quiero asegurar de que nuestras voces se oigan y que este proyecto sea lo que nosotros << los residentes >> queremos y necesitamos. La esperanza más grande que tengo con el proyecto eTOD es la oportunidad de que nuestros barrios sean más seguros. Podría significar banquetas de buena calidad, más espacio y seguridad para los ciclistas, y calles más seguras para peatones de cualquier edad, y cualquier forma de transportación, incluso los conductores.

    My biggest hope with the eTOD project is for the entirety of the 05 community in particular. The 05 is an incredibly historic area yet it is such a hotspot for crime, including youth violent crime and an open air drug market. We see a lot of broken/missing sidewalks, a lack of bike lanes, and lots of abandoned lots, buildings, and houses. Tied with insufficient lighting, a very large portion of our residential barrios in the 05 are open invitations for suspicious activity. This project has the potential to revamp residential communities within the corridor to help residents feel safer. eTOD potentially means better sidewalks, bike lanes and safer streets for people of all ages and forms of transportation. If the areas along the edges of the proposed corridor look nice, the neighborhoods within it should too, if this project is genuinely equitable. *Also, I vote for the portion of the corridor to be along Stone Avenue as opposed to Oracle Road.

  • Share David Garcia on Facebook Share David Garcia on Twitter Share David Garcia on Linkedin Email David Garcia link

    David Garcia

    by Nora Bland, almost 4 years ago

    Places I call home: South side Tucson

    What I love to do:     Gardening and farming

    My favorite place along the corridor and why:     Rodeo grounds, it’s where i live


    Organizations I belong to:     Barrio Restoration

    Bio:     Cleaning up streets, adding native plants, using my landscaping skills to encourage my neighborhood to keep our streets clean and build relation ships along the way

    Places I call home: South side Tucson

    What I love to do:     Gardening and farming

    My favorite place along the corridor and why:     Rodeo grounds, it’s where i live


    Organizations I belong to:     Barrio Restoration

    Bio:     Cleaning up streets, adding native plants, using my landscaping skills to encourage my neighborhood to keep our streets clean and build relation ships along the way

  • Share Brittany Martinez on Facebook Share Brittany Martinez on Twitter Share Brittany Martinez on Linkedin Email Brittany Martinez link

    Brittany Martinez

    by Nora Bland, almost 4 years ago


    Places I call home: My apartment, my mom's house

    What I love to do:     Sewing and making pillows

    My favorite place along the corridor and why:     My favorite place is a beautiful mural downtown, right next to the transit center. It is of a Mexican mariachi woman and represents my culture.

    Organizations I belong to:     I love going to the Downtown Library and I am active resident at the Housing Authority in South Tucson.

    Bio:     I was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona and have lived in Southside, South Tucson, Rita Ranch and east side. Now I live in the... Continue reading


    Places I call home: My apartment, my mom's house

    What I love to do:     Sewing and making pillows

    My favorite place along the corridor and why:     My favorite place is a beautiful mural downtown, right next to the transit center. It is of a Mexican mariachi woman and represents my culture.

    Organizations I belong to:     I love going to the Downtown Library and I am active resident at the Housing Authority in South Tucson.

    Bio:     I was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona and have lived in Southside, South Tucson, Rita Ranch and east side. Now I live in the apartments at the Housing Authority. I ride the bus everyday in my wheelchair alongside my dog, Güero. I am excited to be a Community Ambassador.

  • Share Alexis Walters on Facebook Share Alexis Walters on Twitter Share Alexis Walters on Linkedin Email Alexis Walters link

    Alexis Walters

    by Nora Bland, almost 4 years ago



    Places I call home: Southside Tucson, Downtown Tucson

    What I love to do:     DJing, planning parties, taking pictures, community events

    My favorite place along the corridor and why:     Irvington & Park. My grandma and I would always take the bus here as a kid. I grew up in the area and it where I feel most at home.

    Organizations I belong to:     Downtown community, Hotel Congress, radio producer

    Bio:     1st Gen American
    • I grew up with my handicap grandmother and would always take public transportation to get around.
    • I love music and have a passion for organizing and... Continue reading



    Places I call home: Southside Tucson, Downtown Tucson

    What I love to do:     DJing, planning parties, taking pictures, community events

    My favorite place along the corridor and why:     Irvington & Park. My grandma and I would always take the bus here as a kid. I grew up in the area and it where I feel most at home.

    Organizations I belong to:     Downtown community, Hotel Congress, radio producer

    Bio:     1st Gen American
    • I grew up with my handicap grandmother and would always take public transportation to get around.
    • I love music and have a passion for organizing and building community
    • I am friendly and make friends and connections easily
    • I love giving back to my community and finding ways to be involved.

  • Share Elijah M. Garcia on Facebook Share Elijah M. Garcia on Twitter Share Elijah M. Garcia on Linkedin Email Elijah M. Garcia link

    Elijah M. Garcia

    by Nora Bland, almost 4 years ago

    Places I call home: Tucson, AZ. and the New Pascua

    What I love to do:     My interests are art, cinema and music

    My favorite place along the corridor and why:     I spend a lot of time shopping and running errands on Oracle Rd. I live near Grant and Oracle and like that there are lots of businesses in this area. I like to people watch at the Circle K and Jack in the Box on Grant and Oracle.

    Organizations I belong to:     Avenidas Inc.

    Bio:     I like staying home, most of the time. I also like being involved with my... Continue reading

    Places I call home: Tucson, AZ. and the New Pascua

    What I love to do:     My interests are art, cinema and music

    My favorite place along the corridor and why:     I spend a lot of time shopping and running errands on Oracle Rd. I live near Grant and Oracle and like that there are lots of businesses in this area. I like to people watch at the Circle K and Jack in the Box on Grant and Oracle.

    Organizations I belong to:     Avenidas Inc.

    Bio:     I like staying home, most of the time. I also like being involved with my community.


  • Share David Contreras on Facebook Share David Contreras on Twitter Share David Contreras on Linkedin Email David Contreras link

    David Contreras

    by Nora Bland, almost 4 years ago


    Places I call home: Desert, south Tucson, West Tucson

    What I love to do:     Art making, cycling, teaching art, hiking, mountain biking

    My favorite place along the corridor and why:     South Tucson, art studio

    Organizations I belong to:     Sunnyside Unified School District, Raices Taller 222 Art Gallery & Workshop, FUGA (Families United Gaining Accessibility)

    Bio:     Tucson artist and educator. I love teaching the youth how to make art and have their voices heard. I love to ride my bike to work, art studio, and mountain biking.


    Places I call home: Desert, south Tucson, West Tucson

    What I love to do:     Art making, cycling, teaching art, hiking, mountain biking

    My favorite place along the corridor and why:     South Tucson, art studio

    Organizations I belong to:     Sunnyside Unified School District, Raices Taller 222 Art Gallery & Workshop, FUGA (Families United Gaining Accessibility)

    Bio:     Tucson artist and educator. I love teaching the youth how to make art and have their voices heard. I love to ride my bike to work, art studio, and mountain biking.