The Dreamer of Half Moon: Unweaving Injustice in a Hidden Community
Written By: MIMS Cohort 7 student Tay Ingersoll
Belinda Hernandez-Arriaga is the founder of a grassroots, non-profit organization dedicated to helping Latinx youth find pride in their culture and identity called ALAS (Ayudando Latinos A Soñar or translated “Helping Latinos Dream”). It all began in 2003, when she first moved to Half Moon Bay, California. She encountered a Latinx immigrant community facing racism, discrimination, isolation and physical illnesses not related to any medical conditions such as stress, fear and anxiety. Belinda began offering pro-bono counseling with children in the county of Santa Clara. It was during this time that she met a young girl who was consistently going in and out of the emergency room and came to Belinda seeking counseling. This vulnerable girl’s parents were undocumented and her ultimate fear was being separated from her family through deportation, a fear many immigrant children had never before voiced. Belinda said, “I’m counseling one child at a time, but there are all these children feeling shame for their identity, for speaking Spanish, just for who they are- a complete disconnect from their culture. I realized there is a much bigger issue here”. Belinda recognized that she needed to address the failed systems that were making these children sick.
Belinda noticed that Half Moon Bay did not offer any cultural arts programs for the Latinx community; she knew this was her starting point. She took a leap and closed her counseling practice to create ALAS. “We need to celebrate. This little girl needs to be proud of herself, who her parents are, to show there is pride in who she is”. Her mission was to provide a safe and welcoming space for families to come together, connect with their cultural roots, and access critical support services.
Belinda began by introducing the art of dance to these children, helping them discover their cultural heritage. This not only empowered the children but also surprised Belinda as she saw the parents' emotional reactions, realizing they had performed these same traditional dances in Mexico during their own childhoods. ALAS was not only providing cultural enrichment but also strengthening family bonds. “It was unfolding before my own eyes what was happening. I didn’t even think this could happen”, says Belinda. Her dreams were slowly unraveling.
It was important for Belinda to create a safe entry point for families to access a wide range of services; including food programs, social services, case management, housing support, senior programs, infant and parent wellness, and mental health services. Being deeply rooted in the immigrant community, Belinda began actively working with local migrant farmworkers. She created a mobile farmworker bus during COVID-19 in order to reach the farmworkers out in the field. ALAS continues to offer programs on the bus; such as accordion and guitar lessons, mental health services and medical care. Belinda’s commitment to migrant communities shone through her actions of outreach and accompaniment.
Moreover, Belinda thrives on the support and involvement of volunteers, with a significant contribution from the University of San Francisco. Belinda's experience in a human rights workshop with Dr. Suzan Katz inspired her to create resources for an imagined community, a vision that has now evolved into ALAS. The partnership with USF, students, faculty and alumni, is deeply rooted in the program's mission toward social justice. As a social worker for over two decades, Belinda has supported immigrant families in various spaces, including juvenile hall, through asylum processes, and at the US-Mexico border. She emphasizes that the universal language of love and empathy transcends barriers.
Belinda credits the creation of ALAS to her education in social work. Her organization stands as a testament to what can be achieved with a small $13,000 seed grant when paired with unwavering commitment. As a first-generation college student with no mentor and no privileged background, Belinda leaned on the support of everyone around her; to create something impactful from scratch. Her greatest source of pride in ALAS is its community-driven nature. Belinda Hernandez-Arriaga's vision and dedication have transformed ALAS into an essential resource for the Latinx community in Half Moon Bay.
“ALAS was made for and by the community because of the desire to make change happen. Anybody can do it”.
For more information and to support ALAS, please visit: https://www.alasdreams.com/
