About

Marta Martinez grew up in a Farmworker family, working side by side with her siblings and parents in the fields of Skagit Valley. She always dreamed of going to college. After graduating from high school, Marta could only afford her first quarter of community college because, at the time, she was not eligible for financial aid. Through the DACA program (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), Marta became eligible for financial aid and completed her Associate’s Degree in Human Services at Skagit Valley College.

Marta is the Program Coordinator at the Catholic Community Services Farmworker Center and oversees the Plaza Communitaria Adult Education programs.

Sister Susan Wells, SNJM belongs to the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. For nearly five years she served as the Director of the Catholic Community Services Farmworker Center in Mount Vernon. She has worked in solidarity with Immigrant communities in Skagit Valley, Yakima Valley, Tacoma, and California for nearly 20 years.

She brings her passion for serving the Indigenous migrant community members to the Community Advisory Board of IRIS. She is currently working for the Washington State Department of Health.

Keeley is the Program Manager and strives to tackle inequities that immigrants face by providing dignifying and culturally appropriate services to recipients of IRIS.

Years ago, Keeley visited a family in rural Oaxaca, Mexico, where she gained a better understanding of transnational migration. Juxtlahuaca is a sister city to Mount Vernon; upon arriving there, it seemed that every resident had family members living in Skagit.

Keeley worked at the Whatcom Literacy Council and Skagit County Goodwill Job Training and Education Center. She met regularly with local immigrants, assisting them to sort through sources of stress, learn to advocate for themselves and connect with trustworthy, immigrant-friendly agencies for services.

Keeley lives in Mount Vernon with her husband and baby. She enjoys walking the Wiley Slough trail and cooking vegetarian meals.

Norma Suárez Govea has worked at local non-profit organizations for over 15 years, focusing specifically on serving the immigrant populations. She attended Western Washington University, where she helped undocumented students overcome barriers and access resources to help pay for their education. Later, at Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services of Whatcom County, she served survivors of violence by helping them to access much-needed services and protections. Norma later worked for the migrant summer program at Inspire Development Center and Sea Mar Community Health Centers. Most recently, Norma served as the center manager for the Whatcom County Goodwill Job Training & Education Center. Norma’s hobbies include growing lettuce and herbs for her rabbit and taking her nephew hiking.