UFE is supporting national and local work to lift up, strengthen, and coordinate immigrant community-based struggles for dignity and well-being, and helping to keep that work alive in virtual spaces. Alianza Americas is a national coalition shaping new narratives about Latin American immigrants and the systemic problems that force thousands of people to flee their countries of origin. We are supporting Alianza as they transition their leadership development online in response to COVID-19. Our support is enabling them to connect with local leaders who are mobilizing immigrant essential service workers to demand dignity and protections now. UFE’s first fully online training of trainers for Alianza took place in early May, and we will provide ongoing online workshops through the remainder of 2020.

The training was facilitated by Riahl O'Malley (National Director of Education), and Jeannette Huezo (Executive Director and Popular Educator). At this training, they presented popular education techniques and methods, and gave participants a chance to put these skills into practice.

Reflecting on our organization's first ever online training of trainers, Jeannette Huezo said, "With popular education, one of the most important things is face to face engagement and the human touch.  Usually during these trainings, we share stories in our circle, and doing this online is daunting. But we found it is possible to create this environment online! It was our first online training of trainers, and people still found the visuals, breakout rooms, and conversations it to be very engaging."