#doitfortheneighborhood

[extraordinarylegend]

Me and my partner in these streets, Augie Gastelum, will be telling our story with RAIL CDC and shining light on the commercial corridors and neighborhoods we work in at the good business summit on April 3rd and 4th. Come check us out and interact with us! It’ll be fun and you will learn all about our nationally recognized community inclusion model of small business and neighborhood empowerment. The summit is always a good time and full of good folks and good conversations. Let’s go! #DoItForTheNeighborhood Www.railcdc.org Tickets: Www.localfirstaz.com/good-business (at Mesa, Arizona) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqNy8mcLvt2/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[extraordinarylegend]

Between 2012-2015, I was exposed to a lot of projects and folks in the community development space. As a community organizer, I found comprehensive community development was the next natural progression for getting things done for people in the neighborhood. Political organizing and activist work are good but the most real results I’ve seen that affect real people is community work that has solid outcomes that’s lead by empowering the community one is working in. I figure that it’s time more folks preach the gospel of neighborhood work and mutual aid. Last night RAILCDC hosted CommDev101: Community Development 101 - comprehensive community work that takes into consideration multiple approaches to better people lives. Elevating the idea that People have a right and a responsibility to control what happens to them and their neighborhood. Joel Bookman, a veteran CommDev professional and mentor came in from Chicago for this and I was reinvigorated. I took a few moments to look around the room and everyone was just quiet in thought, just listening and feeling the electricity in the truth of these concepts. Thanks to everyone that came out. Thanks to Joel Bookman for flying out. Thanks to LISC phoenix for your support. Thanks to K’é Community Labs for letting us use space. Thanks to Terry Benelli for bringing me into this work. #doitfortheneighborhood #railcdc #commdev #communitydevelopment #joelbookman #liscphoenix (at K'é Community Lab) https://www.instagram.com/p/ClBYKnAr9os/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[extraordinarylegend]

Hello Hello to my West Mesa friends, fellow Local Business Owners, Community Organizers, Southside Neighborhood homies and more! You are formally invited to: The 1st annual Distrito Latino: ThanksFest! Saturday November 12th from 7:00pm to 10:00pm. @ Gift & Thrift 551 S Mesa Dr. Mesa, Az 85210 This is a wonderful thing. Community Organizers, RAIL CDC, Gift & Thrift, Az Asian Chamber of Commerce, and Az Fair Housing Center has been presented with a great opportunity. The objective of this opportunity is to bring the Distrito Latino community together and just thank each other for being who we are and for what we all do in the community. ThanksFest 2022 Eva Burch, Lorena Austin & Seth Blattman have graciously put together funding to throw this 1st annual Distrito Latino "ThanksFest" along with the partnership of a number of local organizations and small businesses. Food, beverages, and entertainment will be provided. Flyers are attached in English and Spanish. Please tell your neighbors and friends. Featured musical act: Rosies Pawn Shop (One of my favorite) #DoItForTheNeighborhood #railcdc #communitydevelopment #commUNITY Thank You, Gracias, Obrigado, Ryan David Winkle (602) 741-6465 (at Mesa Drive Az) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck3pYMBpqr0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[extraordinarylegend]

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The streets has always had me... #barrio2barrio #RAILCDC #commUNITY #doitfortheneighborhood #ripple #southside #iheartmesa (at CARE Partnership) https://www.instagram.com/p/COBvfT6jsK1/?igshid=115rtwf5268se

[extraordinarylegend]

We would like to give a big thanks to our sponsors, volunteers and community partners who supported the Asian District Night Market: Kamayan Festival! 🌟 it was amazing as always! Stay tuned for more! #azasianchamber #adnm #asiandistrict #commUNITY #iheartmesa #kamayanfestival #doitfortheneighborhood (at AZ International Marketplace) https://www.instagram.com/p/CkCKsHDPQGa/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[extraordinarylegend]

Excited to see you all this Thursday! You don’t want to miss this! Community members, leaders, neighbors, business owners, and others are invited to learn about the Distrito Latino: Tools to Support Our Community, centered around the people, the places, the history and the research and engagement we have been doing in the Distrito Latino & Southside Neighborhoods on the Broadway Commercial Corridor in West Mesa for quite some time. RAILCDC.org #doitfortheneighborhood #railcdc https://www.instagram.com/p/Cius3hQro4G/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[extraordinarylegend]

Join the neighbors and friends who care about Southside Mesa and @railcdc tonight! Let’s kick off this community driven project with tons of good energy bring your massive, wild project ideas. Register and join us tonight at 6:30pm and bring a friend to the @betterblock Southside Mesa project kickoff. After doing so much work in the Southside Neighborhoods from heat action planning in Care neighborhood to working with Muralist David Martinez and the murals at Guerrero Park and Thick Vato Tires, not to mention the countless hours of small business assistance in Distrito Latino Mesa on Broadway rd, RAIL CDC: Retail, Arts, Innovation & Livability CDC is super proud that Better Block chose our application for this project. Let’s gooooo! ALWAYS #DoItForTheNeighborhood The link for the website is: https://www.betterblock.org/southsidemesa Please take a moment to fill out this survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe8P7NHScVkPnj84NSumJ56g5eXyTZe90i-3n62XwwT7kIKvg/viewform?usp=sf_link #RAILCDC #BetterBlock #distritolatino #southsidemesa #liscphx #santander #peopleoverproperty #commUNITY #doitfortheneighborhood https://www.instagram.com/p/CXgtyTwppL8/?utm_medium=tumblr

[extraordinarylegend]

Come out this Saturday at 10am to 2:00pm and work on a community mural with local artists David Martínez, Scarlett Flores, Thick Vato Tries and neighbors. RAIL CDC place makers Carolina Aranibar Fernández and Jen Gastélum will be collecting stories and poems. Community Organizer Augie Gastélum will invite you to other community events and actions. This Saturday 12/11 at 10:00am at Thick Vato Tires & Wheels 41 E Broadway Rd, Mesa, AZ 85210 . Come one, come all, bring a friend for food, community art, and fellowship. ALWAYS #DoItForTheNeighborhood! #RAILCDC #SouthSideMesa #commUNITY #barriostories #artlotera #davidmartinez #scarlettflores #carolinaaranibarfernandez #augiegastelum #jengastelum #ryanwinkle #barriosunidos #razaculture #iheartmesa #liscphx #statefarm #rivernetwork #asuker (at Thick Vato Tires & Wheels) https://www.instagram.com/p/CXQHQVpLDMe/?utm_medium=tumblr

[extraordinarylegend]

Im still on a community development (as I call it CommDev) high as I reminisce on the strong towns night in Mesa as hosted by @railcdc. It is not lost on me that this quick set up and Investment and participation by multiple like minded organizations and people is the product of years and years of trust building abs relationships. During my time as a councilmember and also in my many roles in the community from organizer, economic development, community development, various consultant roles etc one thing was always true. Just do the right thing for people in the way they (people) need it to happen. Find the quickest and simplest solution. Do it now. Repeat that process. Chuck had a slide that said this and while it seems so simple, it is not how it generally happens simply because government and institutions are not set up that way. When we started RAILCDC - Retail, Arts, Innovation & Livability Communtiy Development Corporation we were aiming at being an org that would act as a community guardian. One that would build trust and act with the permission and participation of those who are affected. Build the capacity and community know how for better results for the small businesses and people in the neighborhood. All these years later is feels good to walk around and be recognized by neighbors and business owners and to have them tell me their success stories. It feels good to know that all the actions we took and exorcize and experiments we tried had a positive result for people. 2020 was a ride. 2021 was system building and exponential growth. 2022 will be transformational. Let’s go! #railcdc #doitfortheneighborhood #commdev #commUNITY #economicdevelopment #iheartmesa #distritolatino #asiandistrictmesq #onlyonapache #peopleoverproperty #liscphoenix (at 12 West Brewing - Downtown Mesa) https://www.instagram.com/p/CWrEkSfh0cC/?utm_medium=tumblr

[extraordinarylegend]

We finally got to take a good, fully get away from it, family vacation. It’s was 4 days packed full of close I Tera toons with the wife and kids and so much fun. Rian abs Kamila loved it and the wife and I even refreshed a bit. Legoland, while not being a ride heavy park, was very interesting and made it easy to operate within the park and hotel system. We budgeted for a 4 day mini road trip w/ Legoland as the largest priced item with a day on Coronado beach, time sailing the San Diego bay and sea food stops and beach time in Carlsbad and we all came home with memories and being able to do a little of what each of us wanted. The vacation was paid off before we left. I love my life. I love my kids and my wife. I love my work. Everything I think and say goes into motion which is scary but an awesome power. 2021 has been a lot of work but so empowering and the community is better for it. #loswinkles #dadsofinstagram #dadlife #legoland #riancito #kamilaencamino #laericka #doitfortheneighborhood (at LEGOLAND California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CWlF_S4Fos1/?utm_medium=tumblr

[extraordinarylegend]

It seems like I’m in the neighborhoods, small business visits, community gatherings, scheming and dreaming better outcomes for families or doing the reporting on it 24/7 these days. RAIL CDC 501c3 (est 2013) is a place-based community development corporation that offers corridor development, small business technical assistance, and neighborhood organizing in LMI census tracts around public transit. Our mission is to Positively impact policies and systems that build wealth, pathways out of poverty, and help our community thrive. Current Programs include the Equitable Business Technical Assistance Program, Asian District Restaurant Entrepreneur Academy, Only On Apache Corridor Development Program, Distrito Latino Junta De Negocios, Southside Neighborhoods Barrio to Barrio & Neighborhood Platicas, CARE neighborhood Heat Action and Resilience planning, consultants of color coalition and our lending and financial preparation program for small businesses. #doitfortheneighborhood #railcdc #ilovemylife #livewithpurpose (at Tacos Mi Ranchito Mexican Grill) https://www.instagram.com/p/CWW9lELpTWe/?utm_medium=tumblr

[extraordinarylegend]

The need for small business technical assistance consultants is growing. Especially knowledgable experts in their area that represent a variety of races, cultures and lived experiences. Join us for the RAIL CDC Consultants of Color Collective - Professional Development Coalition Are you a socially conscious Small Business consultant that would like to refine (level up) your skills as a Consultant? Join us for this free three-part series starting Saturday, November 13, December 11, & January 8 from 9 a.m to 2 p.m. (Lunch included). This will be lead by experienced corporate and small business consultants with years of experience. Click the link below for the application. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1H3oCOiGMD2-KVoSExrmWDWRFiy2KUecpjFm-2Dm7_YQ/prefill #RAILCCD #doitfortheneighborhood #businessconsultant #EquitableDevelopment #communitydevelopment #economicdevelopment #liscphoenix #kelearninglab #MetLife #statefarm #WellsFargo #usbank #BankOfAmerica #Lenovo #rivernetwork #bbb #kroger (at K'é - Main Street Learning Lab) https://www.instagram.com/p/CVzzexDFzea/?utm_medium=tumblr

[extraordinarylegend]

Hello Again Friends and Fellow Neighborhood Guardians, Welp, we've done it again. RAIL CDC is extremely proud to be featured in this national spotlight by LISC. LISC Phoenix has been a key partner in our inclusive, community development work as well as our small business & commercial corridor economic development work. Check out the full article here: People Over Property: A Latinx Community Asserts Its Historic Place in Mesa, AZ https://www.lisc.org/our-stories/story/people-over-property-latinx-community-asserts-its-historic-place-mesa-az/ Displacement, purposeful and targeted displacement, is affecting many of our neighborhoods here in Maricopa County. The same families and old boys club power holders who segregated and pushed Black, Latino, and Indigenous families into neighborhoods like the Southside Neighborhoods in Mesa while holding ownership of the very houses that those Black, Indigenous, and Latino families occupied are still up to the same old tricks. This time, generations later, this neighborhood is being "moved" again by the same ownership groups that did this to Black, Latino, and Indigenous families all those years ago. Our work has shown with data, that decision maker in Mesa, while racing ahead with developers, is not choosing an inclusive growth policy that includes the people currently living in the neighborhoods. As my fellow organizer in Phoenix, Masavi Perea from CHISPA says, "Mi casa no es su casa. No gentrification without representation." Read it, share it, have the tough conversations with your elected leaders, and please join RAIL CDC in our anti-displacement work as we push for justice for our communities. Always, Do It For The Neighborhood! Thank You, Gracias, Obrigado, Ryan David Winkle (602) 741-6465 Executive Director - www.railcdc.org Executive Director - www.azfhc.org #iheartmesa #downtownmesa #southsidemesa #distritolatino #commUNITY #development #economicdevelopment #justice #gentrification #displacement #cityofmesa #peopleoverprofit #doitfortheneighborhood (at Mesa, Arizona) https://www.instagram.com/p/CVBic-RhyNE/?utm_medium=tumblr

[extraordinarylegend]

When we picked up the kids on Thursday they were on the edge of a hangry melt down. It was hot, school was out and they were on some psyco kid stuff! La Ericka was coming from Chandler and I was coming from South Tempe so Soda Bun Thai Food was in direct crossing point for us. When we entered we were greeted by a friendly woman. I always try speaking Thai when I go eat at Thai places in honor of my time in Thailand when i was known as Ryan of Phra Khanong. “Sawatdee khrap! 😀” I announced and she replied “kha!😁” As by routine I ordered Spicy Tom yum Goong (lemon grass and mushroom soup shrimp) and Som Tom Pbu (green papaya salad fermented crab). She learned me on my pronunciations. To my surprise, the had the fermented crab! No other restaurant I’ve asked for it in Az has had it! IMAGINE. MY. EXCITEMENT. I also tried some spring rolls, deep fried tofu in sweet sour sauce and got rice and noodles for the kids. This food was so legit and so delicious, we all sat around and ate while mumbling and groaning “yummmm ummmmm yessss oh yeah yummmm” We enjoyed the sweet sticky rice abs mango for desert. It was heavenly. I am so glad this spot is one major street away from my house. Khob Kuhn khrap!!! Arroy jang maak maak! #THAIFOOD #somtompoo #phrakhanong #loswinkles #family #iheartmesa #doitfortheneighborhood #smallbusinesseveryday (at Soda Bun Thai Food) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTr1ajIFoKQ/?utm_medium=tumblr

[extraordinarylegend]

The emotions around death and dying are so complicated and understanding comes with age and the experience of more and more folks you know that are dying. My son often asks if my dad is a ghost now and if he can still hug me because he is worried that if I die that I won’t be able to hug him anymore. That feeling is so real. One more hug. One more smile, a simple hello and an I love you. That is the basic and I want it. I want my kids and wife to know my dad. If my son is right, he’s a ghost that follows me around and still hugs me. I was able to record one of my dads last messages to me and it’s ghostly to hear it. It’s strange in today’s world to think that I only have about 10 real photos of my dad. Being in the generation that used disposable cameras and then digital cameras that had to be loaded from a card of some sort to a computer and then stored and transferred by CD was a process. Around 2010 I lost almost all the photos I had been transferring on and on when my first MacBook crashed. Now I have the memories only. I’m reminded of many things through questions my son asks about my dad and when my wife asks about him. The remembrance is more of a feeling then a vision in my head. My goal is to raise $3000 for Courage Under Cancer. The money pays for incidentals that someone struggling with cancer can’t afford. Please contribute what you can. Link in bio. Join me at the gala. Donate what you can. Thank you. Link in bio. https://courageundercancer.org/ryan-winkle-ericka-varela/ #cancer #loswinkles #family #commUNITY #courageundercancer #doitfortheneighborhood (at Robert Horne Ford Apache Junction. Arizona) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTitt67HYCw/?utm_medium=tumblr

[extraordinarylegend]

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Always start your community organizing project listening, working from the ground up. The goal is always to grow the capacity of the people you’re working with and help them to complete their goals. Lots of this involves personal learning and humility at at the foot of the power that the people already hold, they may just not know how to activate it. Families First. People First. Neighborhood First. Community First. This is their project, you are just lucky to learn and take part in it. #doitfortheneighborhood #commUNITY #organizer #speedoftrust #iheartmesa #ld18 #peopleoverprofit (at Mesa, Arizona) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTOVHzRHVD1/?utm_medium=tumblr