Suma friends, what a difference the months make – a lot of good things have happened since the last time we reached out (user testing, broadband advocacy, legal review of our privacy policy), but we want to use this edition of the suma newsletter to introduce you to our newest hire: Platform Organizer Abel Estrada Guardado.

Our first position devoted exclusively to the suma platform (https://bit.ly/suma_app), Abel will lead platform user outreach by engaging affordable housing residents, enrolling new users, supporting our partner network of affordable housing providers and providing customer service to early-stage users. So, yeah, he’s drinking with the wolves and we’re throwing him to the firehose…

Tell us about yourself – what’s your story and how did your path bring you to suma?

Hi, hi! My name is Abel Estrada Guardado. My story starts in South Central, Los Angeles. Because of domestic violence, and the nature of the environment our families and communities were in at that time, my mom moved me and my younger sisters up to Beaverton, OR to a relative’s home. Single and an immigrant mother, my mother built a home and worked in a Burgerville in hopes for a better and safer life. She remarried and had 2 more daughters (Still the only boy mind you)! I joined youth work during high school, helping in collective churches and youth organizations throughout Portland and across several states helping build communities, speaking engagements, and inviting the “least, last and the lost” into what may be folks’ first “safe place”. Since then, in the last 10 years or so, I’ve focused on helping in multiple facets through justice work, continuing youth city work, and building collectives of folks that help with Justice and reconciliation in systemic racism, underprivileged communities, and breaking that divide through practical solutions.

What kind of things have you been doing during your first month on the job?

I feel like that scene at the end of the Grinch movie when he’s trying every piece of food everyone made? Not sure if that's the best analogy, or if I’m excited for the Christmas season, but, it’s been a fulfilling month in my first month with suma. I’ve been studying as much as I can on the work that the folks at suma have been able to complete the last couple years. I’ve had the awesome opportunity to meet the folks who have been spearheading the vision at suma. I was also invited to a user/community event which was too awesome. Lots of emotions on my end with that one. Lastly, I’ve pretty much been like a robot asking lots and lots of questions. “So who’s this person, again?” “How do I create a zoom meeting?”.

What are you focusing on for the rest of 2022?

I’m currently working with our teams at Lithic Tech, Code The Dream and of course suma to complete our Holiday Project by the end of this year! This is allowing the suma platform to be tested and running for the first time for users which is exciting. You’ll hear more about that in December for sure...

In addition, I’m working on developing outreach programs for suma like social media platforms, newsletters, and other formats to communicate when we have these sorts of special events like holiday projects, etc. Lastly, I’m focusing on meeting more folks in the community that can help us make the most impact this year.

How can folks connect with you if they want to learn more about the suma platform?

First, I’d love to chat with you about the suma platform! You can reach out to us via email at info@mysuma.org to see how I can help. Soon we’ll also have social media pages running so we can have a consistent interactive communication method. Of course, these newsletters help a ton, and I’m also working on these being consistent, hopefully at least once a month on what we’re up to, what we’re developing, and any other cool updates. Please feel free to reach out to learn a little more, I’d love to talk with you!