In 2020, Paola joined a Perth-based Latin American arts collective called “Espacio Latinx” (formerly called Teatro Latinx). The group aimed to share Latinx stories with the wider community, and to help connect with each other. A team member in the group who was working in local government recommended the Community Innovators, Volunteers, and Leaders (CIVAL) program. The program, now in its 10th year, is an educational program that supports current and emerging community leaders to develop their leadership knowledge and skills and explore how to help their community in a more effective way.
“I wanted to learn the “Australian” way of applying my skills. I had experience advocating for the rights of marginalised communities in my hometown Tijuana, characterised by a heavy influx of migrants. However, processes back there are not well defined, so community work and activism are mostly done following your gut. I was interested in learning the technicalities/formalities of doing my community practice here,” said Paola.
She completed the CIVAL program in 2021 and was also the MC for the graduation ceremony. For Paola, the best part of the program was learning from her peers, and she is still in touch with some of the members of her cohort. Paola said, “I believe that community connections are essential to do effective community work. Most of our work relies on those trusting relationships.
The most important takeaway from the program is the relationships I built with my peers and with my now work colleagues at ASeTTS. Some of them have become my close friends.”
In 2023, ASeTTS launched the first community development project to support Latin American refugees. Community consultations with Spanish-speaking clients shaped the project and identified the areas of support needed. Paola wanted to give back to her community and applied for the Community Development – Project Officer role and was successful. She said, “I wanted to be part of that process, especially given that at that point, I was already doing volunteer work to support my community.” Paola has worked with the Latin American community at ASeTTS for over 1.5 years. She supports them through various activities addressing themes like community building, integration, healthcare, education, and skill development.
This year Paola had the opportunity to co-facilitate a session in the 2024-2025 CIVAL program on ‘Co-Designing and Co-Producing Community Development Programs with Refugee Communities’. She facilitated these sessions alongside Tharanga De Silva, Senior Community Development Coordinator, who has presented on this topic since CIVAL started. What excites Paola the most about presenting to CIVAL participants is she was once in their place. “Encouraging others to keep striving. I was there in their shoes, now I have the privilege to say, you can make it!”
Reflecting on her journey so far, from CIVAL participant to presenter, Paola explained, “It’s the cycle of life, isn’t it? [Insert The Lion’s King theme song here, and Simba being raised by Rafiki] It represents a before and after in my career progression, but also, in my own settlement in Perth.”
Paola’s advice to others is to be open to opportunities. “I know this might sound very stereotypical, but it is so true. When a door opens, just go for it, if you don’t like it, you can always go back but at least try.”
