Over the past year, you may have noticed a pause in updates from Alianzas. While our newsletter took a break, the work certainly did not.
We’re excited to reconnect with our community and share more of the stories behind this work, more frequently.
Rather than a traditional newsletter, we’ll be featuring collaborations, community engagements, achievements and more through individual news story updates on our website.
To mark the beginning of a renewed effort to keep you informed and connected, take a look back at some of the meaningful work done and partnerships created in the last year.
In this issue, you will find:
- Connections with MU Extension
- Collaborations with partners of UMKC Institute for Human Development
- Community engagement events
- Service Accolades
Building Capacity with MU Extension
The Alianzas team works with MU Extension specialists to build capacity and communication with, and enhance engagement with programs and resources among, Latinos around the state.
Regional CQ® Trainings
As a licensed provider of Dr. David Livermore’s Cultural Intelligence (CQ®) framework, Alianzas delivered culturally responsive training for 65 MU Extension staff and several organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Kansas State University and the Environmental Protection Agency.
The sessions explored Latino cultural values, communication approaches and outreach strategies, helping strengthen relationships and capacity with Latino communities.
USDA/NIFA Integrated Pest Management Grant Partner
Alianzas was brought on to support MU horticulturalists Dr. Juan Cabrera and Matthew Huchteman for the U.S. Department of Agriculture/National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA/NIFA) Integrated Pest Management grant, focused on strengthening connections between Latino communities and MU Extension resources.
The project assesses community knowledge, identifies needs and increases awareness of services such as the Plant Diagnostic Clinic, Nematode Clinic, and Soil Testing Lab, with an emphasis on culturally responsive outreach and community-driven solutions. María Sánchez, Carthage school district’s (first Latina) board of directors, and Kate Kelly from Vision Carthage also joined the outreach efforts.
UMKC-IHD Collaborations
Housed at the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Institute for Human Development, Alianzas fosters capacity building beyond MU Extension.
MODDC Needs Assessment
Alianzas supported translation and outreach efforts for the Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council’s statewide needs assessment survey that informs their five-year strategic plan – organized and disseminated by UMKC-IHD – helping ensure Spanish-speaking families could participate and share their experiences. The needs assessment resulted in a total of 260 completed responses, providing valuable insight into the challenges, needs and positive experiences that Missourians have with intellectual and developmental disability services.
Early Childhood Mental Health Collective
In the Summer of 2025, Alianzas partnered with the Early Childhood Mental Health Collective (ECMHC), a three-year initiative at UMKC-IHD funded by the Hall Family Foundation, that provides early childhood mental health services in five centers across the Kansas City metro area. Through outreach, interpretation and culturally responsive engagement, the initiative has already connected more than 200 Spanish-speaking families with resources that support the social and emotional well-being of young children.
Community Connections
Pest Management and Growing Garlic Class – November 2025
In a new collaboration with the USDA/NIFA grant and Visions Carthage, Alianzas helped bring together more than 40 community participants from Carthage, Missouri – one of the most Latino-dense populations in the state – for their first bilingual event. Participants were introduced to Integrated Pest Management principles while enjoying a Mexican dinner and learning about growing garlic in their own gardens.
ECMHC Coffee Chat – February 2026
Members of the Early Childhood Mental Health team visited El Centro’s Academy for Children in Kansas City, Kansas, to share coffee and pan dulce. Teachers and staff enjoyed the refreshments and completed a survey, measuring job-related stress and secondary trauma.
Alianzas was there to provide on-site translation and interpretation, helping foster a greater sense of belonging and unity during the event.
Introducing Families to Life Unlimited – February 2026
Did you know that Latino youth with IDD often stay at home after graduating from high school, missing opportunities for employment, healthy activities and further education?
In February, Gerardo Martinez had the opportunity to bring three Latino families to visit Life Unlimited – one of the largest nonprofit providers of services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in the Kansas City area and Northwest Missouri.
Life Unlimited provides community living, in-home support, employment training and day services to promote independence and community integration. However, up until now, they have not had any Latino participants.
To help reduce barriers and further connect Latinos to resources, Alianzas is assisting Life Unlimited with the translation of some marketing materials and inviting Latino individuals to enroll in their programs.
Hispanic Capitol Day – February 2026
On February 17, 2026, Gerardo Martinez attended the annual Hispanic Capitol Day in Jefferson City to learn about bills concerning Latino communities in our state and advocate for education accessibility for Latino youth. Coordinated by the Hispanic Leaders Group, the Missouri Immigration Policy Coalition, Revolución Educativa, and Hispanic Networking Group in the Ozarks, this non-partisan event aims to elevate the voice of the Hispanic community in Missouri and foster meaningful relationships with policymakers to create a prosperous and welcoming Missouri for all.
Learn more about the event from the Columbia Missourian.
Service Accolades
A special shout out to Gerardo Martinez, director of Alianzas, for serving the MU community.
- MU Extension & Engagement Awards Committee (4th year)
- C. Brice Ratchford Memorial Fellowship Award Committee (4th year)
- Cambio de Colores Organizing Committee (12th year)
Gerardo served on the organizing committee for MU’s 2025 Cambio de Colores conference – his twelfth year running. This multistate event brings together practitioners, researchers and community leaders to share strategies, research and promising practices that support Latino integration and inclusion in Midwestern communities.
Mark your calendar for Cambio de Colores 2026, June 3–5!
- Board of Directors, Empower Missouri (newly elected)
In January, Gerardo was invited to serve on the board of directors for Empower Missouri, a statewide advocacy organization working to advance basic needs, equity and evidence-based public policy. Aligned with MU Extensions mission, this role will strengthen opportunities to elevate community perspectives while collaborating with partners across Missouri to address systemic challenges affecting families, such as affordable housing, food security and community justice.
Looking forward, we are excited to continue sharing learning opportunities and stories that highlight the people and partnerships helping to strengthen connections between MU Extension and Latino communities.
Contact Alianzas to be a part of community events or engagement opportunities in your region.
