Building Bridges 2026:
Fostering a More Connected and Safer Community Through Collaboration
Register Below!

Please mark your calendars and register below for our 11th annual Building Bridges of Understanding in Our Communities summit!

What: 11th annual Building Bridges of Understanding in Our Communities summit.

When: Thursday, October 29th, 2026. 8:30 am - 2:00 pm

Where: Immigrant & Refugee Community Organization (IRCO), Sokhom Tauch Community Center, 10323 NE Glisan St., Portland, OR 97220.

This event is free to attend and open to all community members. Advance registration is required. Please click below to register.

Agenda:

8:30 - 9:00: Registration, Coffee, Tea, and Networking

9:00 - 9:10: Welcome and Opening Remarks

9:10 - 9:20: Short Keynote Address

9:20 - 9:50: Tabletop Exercise and Crowd Engagement – “What questions or concerns do you want addressed today?”

9:50 - 11:00: Panel: Addressing Immigration in Oregon
Panelists: Nathan Vasquez, Multnomah County District Attorney, Jim Wheaton, Washington County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy, Carlos Quesnel Meléndez, General Consul of Mexico, Karla Brashear, Immigration Attorney, Moderator: Imran Haider

11:00 - 11:10: Coffee and tea networking

11:10 - 12:00: Moderated Crowd Engagement Activity, Moderators: Linda Castillo, Justin Fogarty

12:00 - 12:45: Lunch - Musical/Artistic Performance

12:45 - 2:00: Panel: Resources for Marginalized Communities, Panelists: John Wentworth, Clackamas County District Attorney, Dayana Paz, Family Peace Center of Washington County, Kaitlyn Brennan, IRCO SAE Program, Esther Nelson-Garrett, Founder, Safety Compass, Julie Samples, Managing Attorney, Oregon Law Center Farmworker Program. Moderator: Kevin Barton

2:00: Concluding Remarks