ENLACE Project
ENLACE Cross Cultural Community Development Project
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Leadership
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Respect
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Collaboration
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Pride
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Education
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Identity
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Art
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Neighbors
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Honor
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Accomplishment
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Familia
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Engagement
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Latino
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Partnership
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Service
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Unidad
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Diversity
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Culture
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Comunidad
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ENLACE Cross Cultural Community Development Project 〰️ Leadership 〰️ Respect 〰️ Collaboration 〰️ Pride 〰️ Education 〰️ Identity 〰️ Art 〰️ Neighbors 〰️ Honor 〰️ Accomplishment 〰️ Familia 〰️ Engagement 〰️ Latino 〰️ Partnership 〰️ Service 〰️ Unidad 〰️ Diversity 〰️ Culture 〰️ Comunidad 〰️
About ENLACE
Through ENLACE, participants engage in educational, artistic, and cultural activities that inspire students, families, neighbors, and the wider community. The program encourages them to create or use shared spaces (ENLACE Cross-Cultural Connection Centers) where they can connect, collaborate, and showcase their skills, talents, and energy. By turning classroom learning into practical community experiences, ENLACE highlights the contributions of minority community members and supports broader community development.
Our Mission
To advance community development through education, arts, culture, technology, civic engagement, and physical and emotional well-being.
At the first level of our 3D community development strategy, we inspire, educate, and improve the lives of children, youth, and adults at the individual, family, and community levels.
ENLACE’s next phase is to build the structure and secure the resources needed to expand established programs and initiatives for greater community impact. Its primary initiative builds on 27 years of collaboration with schools, churches, businesses, community organizations, and leaders to support education, arts, and culture across Marion, Polk, and Linn counties.
This ENLACE initiative is known as the Guelaguetza Intercultural Latino Partnership Program.
In Oaxaca’s Zapotec culture, “Guelaguetza” means collaboration, mutual support, and diversity.
Our Story
ENLACE was formally established in 2025 as a community development project by its founder, Amador Aguilar, who immigrated to the United States 30 years ago. Amador earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Instituto Tecnológico de Oaxaca in southern Mexico.
Beyond education, Amador’s other passions were art, traditions, and culture. From an early age through university, he participated in cultural clubs centered on dance, poetry, and music. He also worked on local and state initiatives through the Casa de la Cultura.
Drawing on these experiences, Amador came to believe that connecting people and aligning resources through thoughtful, cross-cultural strategies can foster growth at the individual, family, and community levels. This connection can support the emotional balance needed to move toward greater progress. The process begins with believing in ourselves, finding inspiration, and becoming empowered. It requires ENLACE—a meaningful connection.
Our Colaborative Initiative to help to build Communities
Through the Guelaguetza Intercultural Latino Partnership Initiative, ENLACE will build on its long history of supporting community partners through low-cost, no-cost, and mutually supported education, arts, and cultural classes, activities, and events. By collaborating on effective ways to strengthen community impact, partners can expand their programs together. The initiative will also reinforce long-standing relationships, welcome new partners, and share ENLACE’s traditional cross-cultural collaboration model for addressing community challenges.
Explore our programs.