EOCIL - Eastern Oregon Center for Independent Living

Send us Fan Mail Episode Summary In this episode of Voices in Action, Andrew is joined by Crescencia Witherspoon , the Director of the Harm Reduction Program at the Eastern Oregon Center for Independent Living (EOCIL) . Crescencia shares her inspiring personal journey from moving from the bustling metropolis of New York City to rural Eastern Oregon, and how she unexpectedly found her life's t...

Send us Fan Mail We are so excited to be bringing back EOCIL's Voices In Action Podcast!  We've been really busy at EOCIL, and to help with all that transition, we asked Andrew to be our new co-host.  Today, we talk to Andrew all about his work and what he wants to do with Voices in Action.   All that to say, we're back baby!  Stay tuned for new episodes every few weeks. Follow EOCI...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Randal Llanas, and talk about his lived experience and the work he started at Four Rivers Recovery. Learn about their organization, the behind the scenes work, and the importance of what they do. Randal discusses their past experience and what led them to want to venture out on their own to start making a difference in their community.

Send us Fan Mail Join us as we talk about the significance of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).  Featuring guest speakers who share their unique perspectives and experiences, highlighting the transformative impact of the CRPD on individuals and communities worldwide. Tune in to hear insightful discussions, and a deeper understanding of how the CRPD is shaping a more...

Send us Fan Mail Raquel, the director of Programs and Operations for Poder of Idaho, shared her journey into immigration advocacy and the work of her organization, which mobilizes and educates the Latino community on legislative processes and bills affecting undocumented and Latino communities. They discussed the importance of cultural sensitivity, spirituality, and advocacy in their work, as well...

Send us Fan Mail I was able to sit down with three different members of the Oregon Human Development Corporation (OHDC) based in Ontario to have a conversation about all the work that each one of them does for the people in the agricultural field. We dive in by talking about each member's personal journey and how each one of them at one point utilized OHDC in their own lives and the significa...

Send us Fan Mail The Director of Victor Fox Cultivating Housing Services, Jeff Williams, speaks about the fantastic work they provide for individuals living with HIV and people with substance use disorders. He talks about the program's history and the tremendous steps it has taken to reduce as many barriers as possible. That may include providing access to care and temporary housing for needy...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Queer Coded, our host, Mary Ellen Buxton, interviews Edie Engelmann, a nonbinary civil engineer and LGBTQ+ advocate living and working in rural Eastern Oregon. Edie discusses their agender identity and shares their experience exploring and identifying their gender, sexuality, and expression. They also share their process of coming out to family and friends regar...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Queer Coded, our host, Mary Ellen Buxton, interviews Nathan Smith, an LGBTQ+ Mental Health Specialist, drag queen, and HIV/AIDS activist. Nathan shares details of his origins in the Indiana drag scene and tells of the social climate surrounding drag in rural Eastern Oregon. Nathan also discusses the need for LGBTQ+ mental health supports in Pendleton and Eastern...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we had the honor of sitting down with Marcos, a long-time community member of EOCIL. He shares his personal life story on how he grew up, his family dynamic, his struggles with substance use, and much more of his lived experiences. He breaks down what his journey through detox and recovery was like, and he shares his message with those who are thinking about start...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Queer Coded, our host, Mary Ellen Buxton, interviews Nathan Smith, an LGBTQ+ Mental Health Specialist, drag queen, and HIV/AIDS activist. Nathan shares details of his origins in the Indiana drag scene and tells of the social climate surrounding drag in rural Eastern Oregon. Nathan also discusses the need for LGBTQ+ mental health supports in Pendleton and Eastern...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I talked to Eddie Melendrez, a city council member, an artist, and a food bank worker in Eastern Oregon. Eddie shared his personal life story, to pursuing his passion for art and education, to becoming involved in local politics and community service. Eddie also discussed his role in the city council, where he advocates for the rights and needs of people. He also...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Our host, Richard Rojas-Perez, and our guest, Chris Fox, cover the basics of HIV transmission, the stages of infection, and the importance of testing and treatment. We also discuss common misconceptions and the social impact of HIV, aiming to foster understanding and compassion in our community's approach to prevention and support. 

Send us Fan Mail In this month's episode, we sit down with an AETC member, Ary Bryce. They host an affinity space once a month that is not only intended for  BIPOC folk but is also a genuinely safe space for people of color to join and feel in unity with one another. We get into the details of what an Affinity space looks like and the goals that are intended for this space. Amador shares his...

Send us Fan Mail  In this month’s episode of Queer Coded, we sit down with Mr. K Ponce Martinez, a queer educator teaching in a special education Headstart classroom in rural Eastern Oregon. Mr. Ponce Martinez discusses the intersection of his multi-faceted identity and how heteronormativity affected his identity growing up. He also sheds light on his experiences accessing necessary and affirming...

Send us Fan Mail In this month's episode of Voices in Action, we were lucky enough to have a very special guest from the National Harm Reduction Coalition, Tanagra Melgarejo. She is the Director of National Capacity Building with the NHRC and helps provide training and education throughout the United States. She helps break down the rich history of where the term “Harm Reduction” originated f...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Voices In Action, we speak with Angela Carter. They have done so much work with many institutions by joining board committees and starting their foundations. They have played an instrumental role in developing and rolling out Measure 110, which helps organizations like ours provide Harm Reduction services. They explain their role in developing the plan and how M...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode of Voices in Action, I sit down with a Queer and Disabled advocate Andrew Gurza. We learn more about who he is and their journey over the years. We dive into his early childhood and what his family life was like living with a disability. He explains some of his struggles with his family and all their efforts to make him feel no different than anyone kid at...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, we sit down with Mary Ellen Buxton and discuss their experience in rural Oregon. We break down their household life and how they became the person they are today. They grew up in a religious household, and their feelings and identity did not fit the social norm. That, however, did not stop them from being the person they are today. We detail what their ear...

Send us Fan Mail En el podcast de hoy, nos tomamos el tiempo para hablar con uno de los directores asistentes de EOCIL. Richard ha asumido el papel principal como director asistente de los Servicios de Extensión de EOCIL. Se centra principalmente en correr la voz sobre la prevención del VIH. Desglosamos el programa y lo que Richard ha planeado para él. Queríamos compartir la importancia de su trab...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s podcast, we take the time to speak with one of EOCIL’s assistant directors. Richard has taken the lead role in because the assistant director of EOCIL’s Outreach Services. He primarily focuses on spreading the word about HIV prevention. We break down the program and what Richard has planned for it. We wanted to share the importance of his work on how it helps reduce sti...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode of Voices in Action, we cover the hot topic of Senate Bill 420 and how that will increase access to crucial resources for people with brain injuries. Brain injuries are an issue that many people can face throughout their lifetime, from young kids hurt while playing to teenagers in sports to the elderly population falling. David gives us his background on how he...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, I sit down with Carrie Luke. She is a Behavioral Health Specialist at Eastern Oregon Center for Independent Living. I wanted to bring her on due to her extensive knowledge of what trauma is and what it means to provide trauma-informed care. Many people face difficulties in their lives that are unique to them, and we each handle these obstacles in various ways....

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, I sat down with Steven Wolf. He is a Recovery Mentor and Peer Support Specialist over at Origins Faith. I wanted to speak with him because of his fantastic story. Whether it is drug or alcohol abuse, Steven has been through it all. Steven talks about substance abuse starting at a young age, and we discuss the personal reasons we both used drugs and what we lear...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Voices in Action, we sat down with Timmie Turley. She is a trans woman who had to overcome incredible obstacles throughout her life. We spoke about her upbringing and how she grew up in a household as a boy and what was expected of “him” at the time. She recalls constantly feeling more comfortable wearing women’s clothing than she did wearing men’s clothing. Her...