Latine, Hispanic and Central American Indigenous communities on the Oregon Coast often face barriers to accessing health, safety, education and disaster preparedness resources.
By reducing language and access barriers, OSU Extension and partners help ensure more residents can prepare for emergencies, access health and education resources and participate in community life.
Language differences, transportation challenges and limited trust in institutions can make it difficult for families to connect with agencies and organizations that support community well-being.
At the same time, coastal communities face risks from natural hazards, including coastal storms, wildfire and other emergencies. Ensuring all residents have access to accurate information and services is critical to community safety and resilience.
These needs created demand for culturally responsive, multilingual opportunities that allow families to connect directly with service providers in a welcoming environment.
On Sept. 12, 2025, Oregon State University Extension Service joined community partners at the second Café Aquarium Multilingual Resource Fair at the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport. The four-hour event drew 99 youths and 150 adults.
Organizers also estimated more than 100 additional attendees, including representatives from tabling organizations, dancers, volunteers and family members of support staff.
OSU Extension participants included:
- Beatriz Botello Salgado, Family and Community Health/SNAP-Ed program coordinator in Lincoln County
- Aaron Groth, OSU Extension Fire Program north coast regional fire specialist
- Nat Macias, Open Campus and Juntos coordinator, Tillamook County
- Felicia Olmeta Schult, Oregon Sea Grant Extension coastal hazards specialist
Families connected with community-based organizations, local governments, state agencies, educational institutions and private partners. Spanish and Indigenous language materials were available, and staff provided one-on-one consultations.
Languages spoken at the event included Spanish, Mam Maya, English and others such as Akateco and German. Many families were multilingual.
To encourage engagement, organizers used a “passport” activity that guided participants to visit multiple information tables. A total of 76 passports were issued, 67 were completed and 1,437 table visits were recorded — an average of 21 visits per family.
The Oregon Coast Aquarium donated venue and printing support valued at more than $3,000, while OSU Extension and Sea Grant contributed emergency preparedness materials and raffle items.
Participants gain knowledge and connections
The fair helped families build awareness of available services and increased confidence in contacting agencies.
Participants asked questions about coastal hazards, wildfire preparedness, emergency alerts, health services, legal rights, education programs and financial assistance. Many shared that it was their first opportunity to speak directly with agency representatives in their preferred language.
The high number of completed passports and table visits reflected strong engagement and interest in accessible, culturally relevant information.
Participating organizations reported gaining a better understanding of community needs, including language access gaps and opportunities to improve outreach. Several expressed interest in expanding multilingual services and participating in future events.
The event also strengthened relationships among organizations, improving coordination across sectors that serve coastal communities.
Public value
This work improves access to essential services while strengthening trust between communities and service providers.
By reducing language and access barriers, OSU Extension and partners help ensure more residents can prepare for emergencies, access health and education resources and participate in community life.
These efforts support safer, more informed communities and improve the effectiveness of public services — strengthening the return on public investment in Extension and community engagement.
Partners in the Café Aquarium Multilingual Resource Fair include:
- Andares
- Arcoíris Cultural
- Ballet Folklórico Oregon Coast
- Cape Perpetua Collaborative
- Centro de Ayuda
- City of Newport: Public Library, Community Engagement, Emergency Management
- Community Doula Program
- Community LendingWorks
- Community Services Consortium
- Conexión Fénix
- Economic Development Alliance of Lincoln County
- Environment for the Americas
- Lincoln County Emergency Management
- Lincoln County Public Health
- Lincoln County School District/HELP Program
- Oregon Coast Aquarium
- Oregon Coast Community College
- Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Marine Reserves
- Oregon Department of Human Services
- Oregon Department of Justice Civil Rights Unit
- Oregon Health Authority
- Oregon Shores
- OSU College of Earth, Oceans, and Atmospheric Sciences
- OSU Policy Analysis Lab
- Paid Leave Oregon
- Zantello Law Group
