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Open doors — that’s the literal translation of Puertas Abiertas, one of Napa County’s longest-running nonprofits serving the Latino community. For many, the name has always symbolized refuge: a place where Spanish is spoken, needs are understood and help is available. But in 2025, amid a fraught political climate, the organization finds itself more guarded than ever, careful about who can come through those doors.
Despite the challenges, Puertas Abiertas has remained a safe haven for thousands of families. It provides vital services while drawing its strength from within: most staff and board members come directly from the community it serves. Many are children of farmworkers, the very demographic the nonprofit was founded to support. That shared experience builds trust — and lasting connections.
A leader shaped by service
Interim Executive Director Esmeralda Gil has only been in her role for four months, but her history with Puertas goes back two decades. Raised in Napa, she first joined as a teenager in a service program assisting farmworkers. Later she interned, then became a program coordinator.
From the beginning, she felt the power of small acts.
“I think that’s what always drew me in — the feeling of knowing I helped someone,” she said, recalling how translating a simple letter once left her fulfilled.
Gil speaks passionately about Napa County’s stark contrasts: “We come from this luxurious valley that has built world-famous wineries, but the people who built it don’t get the recognition or support they deserve.”
For her, nonprofit work is more than a career — it’s a calling. She credits her parents for giving her opportunities they never had.
“That’s what fuels me,” she said.
‘Heart work’
Senior case manager Alejandra Quintana describes her role as “heart work.”
“We do it from the heart, no matter the obstacles,” she said.
Quintana’s father immigrated at 14 to work in the fields, shaping her own empathy for families navigating barriers many never face.
“Sometimes they just need someone to talk to, someone who won’t judge,” she said.
That empathy has guided Puertas Abiertas since its founding in 2004, when parishioners at St. John’s Church recognized the growing need for immigrant services. By 2005, the effort had become a nonprofit, expanding over time to serve not only Latinos but also Filipino and Black families. Still, its primary focus remains Napa County’s Latino community.
A requirement that all staff speak Spanish reinforces cultural understanding and trust, Gil noted. Quintana added that seeking help can be daunting, especially for a community in constant survival mode — enduring fires, earthquakes, a global pandemic, and now fear of deportation.
“Something’s always happening,” she said, and it can push people to their breaking point — exactly what the nonprofit hopes to prevent.
Healing through culture
Among the nonprofit’s most impactful programs is La Cultura Cura — Culture Heals. In partnership with a Latina therapist, the workshop addresses anxiety, depression and generational trauma.
Gil recalls one virtual session that included an “inner child” exercise.
“We were on Zoom, and everyone was crying. That’s when I knew this is what it’s all about,” she said.
The numbers reflect that impact: in 2012, Puertas served roughly 400 people. Today, nearly 5,000 come through its doors each year. Gil hopes to expand further, envisioning a cultural center that anchors the Latino community.
Partnerships and advocates
Puertas Abiertas has earned support from across Napa County. Radio host Gabriela Fernandez praised how staff “understand the needs of the community because they’ve lived it themselves.” She helped forge a partnership with La Onda Music Festival to raise funds.
Board member Genesis Monnet, inspired by former director Blanca Huijon, co-founded the By Their Side fundraiser, which brought together local leaders and chefs in support of Puertas Abiertas.
“I feel like there’s something rare in people who work with a true intention to help others,” Monnet said.
County Supervisor Liz Alessio also applauds the nonprofit’s adaptability. “Puertas opens doors for those who need it most, especially the disenfranchised,” she said.
Stories of impact
The nonprofit’s impact shows in individual lives. Gil recently shared the story of a family whose 23-year-old stepped into a parental role after their mother died and their father entered deportation proceedings.
“This is just one example of the struggles many face daily,” she said.
Family advocate Andrea Rodriguez said her work is about listening as much as solving problems.
Helping clients recognize their own skills — like framing domestic work as professional experience for resumes — can build confidence.
For Quintana, the rewards are personal: a client once brought in homemade food as thanks. “We’re not just providing a service; we’re building relationships,” she said.
Longtime client David Sotelo Saldivar calls Puertas a “second home.” When he and his wife arrived as farmworkers in 2000, the nonprofit helped them with English, housing and immigration paperwork. Today he is a U.S. citizen.
“They’ve opened doors for us, literally and figuratively,” he said in Spanish.
Looking ahead
Through monthly support from businesses and local chefs, Puertas Abiertas continues to thrive.
Chef Ken Frank, a longtime supporter, summed it up: “If it weren’t for the immigrants here, we wouldn’t have the economy we do. And Puertas Abiertas is at the heart of that.”
As it enters its third decade, the nonprofit’s mission remains as clear as its name: to keep opening doors — creating a community where everyone feels seen, supported and valued.
You can reach Elsa Cavazos at 707-521-5287 or elsa.cavazos@pressdemocrat.com. On X (Twitter) @ElsaCavazos3.