Community Connectors
Who are the Community Connectors?
Community Connectors are integral to the Tucson Norte-Sur Phase II community engagement efforts to help ensure community voices are centered in guiding the policy plan. Community Connectors have deep ties to their various communities and neighborhoods across the study area. They have been recruited based on their breadth of knowledge, community involvement, and valuable perspectives to carry out various on-the-ground engagement activities. The group is representative and reflective of this corridor.
Community Connectors meet the community where they are. Instead of asking people to attend public meetings, the Connectors 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 they congregate, such as transit centers, grocery stores, parks, libraries, or neighborhood events. They also bring their talents and creative connections to this project, whether getting people to fill out surveys while they wait for their food at a food truck or hopping on a bus and engaging the riders about the plan.
These engagement activities focus on hearing from the people who live, work, travel, and have a history in the study area to ensure that the Tucson Norte-Sur Strategic Plan reflects their vision and priorities.
Community Connectors will complete a training series, including background information on Tucson Norte-Sur. They are working closely with the Norte-Sur ETOD Community Engagement Specialists Team leading and supporting the Community Connectors in their outreach and engagement efforts.
Community Connectors are crucial in making public engagement more approachable, inclusive, and accessible. Through community dialogues, pop-ups, and other creative outreach/engagement activities, they will gather community members' thoughts, ideas, and concerns 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 September 2023.
Learn more about the Community Connectors in the bios below.
Connectors Bios
Learn a little bit more about our Community Connectors and why they care about their community!
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Share Imelda G. Cortez on Facebook Share Imelda G. Cortez on Twitter Share Imelda G. Cortez on Linkedin Email Imelda G. Cortez link
Imelda G. Cortez
Bio: Imelda grew up close to the VA Hospital and currently lives in the Fairgrounds Neighborhood. She is a community organizer with experience organizing the Wakefield neighborhood, and now she is an active member of the Fairgrounds Neighborhood Association. To Imelda, equitable mobility “is making sure that people with accessibility needs are able to get from point A to point B in a way that is easy and accessible” and “a thriving community is a safe place with no cops/policing, and access to good healthy food, and transportation that is affordable.”
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Erica Castaneda
Bio: Erica lives in and calls South Tucson home. She is passionate about helping her community. Erica helps address issues affecting her community, such as safety concerns, infrastructure improvements, and environmental initiatives. She also assists the community by passing out food boxes to those in need. To Erica, equitable mobility means “ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their socio-economic status, have access to safe, affordable, and efficient transportation options. When individuals have access to reliable transportation options, they are better able to access job opportunities, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and other essential services. This can help break the cycle of... Continue reading
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Eliza Garcia
Bio: Born and raised in Tucson on the southwest side of town, Eliza works for La Frontera, the biggest behavioral health agency in town. La Frontera also provides housing that is located throughout the subarea, including central downtown Tucson, near Rodeo Park and Tucson Mall area. Eliza works closely with the homeless and low-income population in Tucson, providing them with services to reach their needs. These populations have transportation barriers and depend strictly on the public transportation system. Eliza wants to be able to connect her clients with another community resource that will help them be successful and reach their... Continue reading
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Alejandro Bohon
Bio: Alejandro, Owner of Taqueria La Esquina, a restaurant on the corner of South 6th Avenue and Irvington Road, and has been involved in many small business classes at the City of Tucson. For Alejandro, equitable mobility provides easy access to public transportation, free and clean sidewalks, as well as transportation plans for people who may not be able to afford other modes of transportation. He defines a “thriving” community as one that supports the common goal of progress for all.
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D’Andre Silva
Bio: To D’Andre, equitable mobility means that “everyone has the same opportunity to have the same ride to where ever they need to go.” He graduated from high school last year and has been working since he was a sophomore (usually communiting by Sun Tran). He lives in Barrio Santa Rita and works at a local business along the Historic 4th Avenue District. D’Andre brings a youth perspective to the project.
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Share Armando Sotelo on Facebook Share Armando Sotelo on Twitter Share Armando Sotelo on Linkedin Email Armando Sotelo link
Armando Sotelo
Bio: Upon graduating high school, Armando worked for PRO (People, Resources, Organizations) Neighborhoods, an organization including four collaborative partners –the City of Tucson, Pima County, Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, and United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona. These local public and private organizations encourage and assist grassroots groups to build on the assets of their communities. Through PRO Neighborhoods, Armando worked together to mobilize and build upon existing talents and resources within the community. He holds workshops, presentations and helps with projects that neighborhoods are working on. He took the Community Organizing course with Pima and helps organize groups... Continue reading
