The Arc of Leadership | Part 11

Written by Tim Buckley, June 2026

‍Vero’s path to leadership began as a concerned mom, worried about her children’s academics and about their safety walking home from school.  Soon after buying a home near Northgate Park in 2000 with her husband, Vero sought answers from the Salem Keizer Coalition for Equality, formed the year before to educate parents about being advocates for their families. ‍ ‍

Veronica’s daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren

What began as a quest for her kids evolved quickly into a dedication to help other children as well. She became a teacher and tutor at the Coalition. She was a founding member of CBEL’s Hallman-Northgate Neighborhood Family Council, and now it’s chairperson.

Vero and Jorge Carlos married in San Diego, and afterwards moved to Oregon in search of better opportunities. They now have four children between the ages of 34 and 17. After renting an apartment for three years, they bought a house in North Salem and they’ve been there since. Jorge owns Carlos Painting and Drywall, Inc., a company ranked in the top 20 percent of licensed contractors in Oregon, according to BuildZoom, an online company that sources trusted contractors for property owners and builders.

Vero’s life has included periods of work to supplement the family income, but her primary focus has been to advocate for an improved life for immigrant families in Salem and Keizer.

“The Coalition really helped,” Vero said. “I attended parent leadership classes and began volunteering - watching kids in our childcare program, calling other parents, or handing out flyers, while still learning about advocacy.” Before long, Vero was teaching parents about reading to their children, and tutoring kids to help prepare them for kindergarten. She also joined a parent group at her son’s elementary school when he experienced difficulties with his teacher.

Veronica (far left) with fellow council members at the 2025 Fun Fridays

As CBEL launched its flagship neighborhood council effort in 2020, Vero and two other mothers from the Hallman parent group were among those who showed up to hear Eduardo Angulo and Leslye Garcia explain how the new group would help improve life in the Hallman-Northgate neighborhood. “I knew Eduardo from my work with the Coalition,” Vero said, “and so I joined the Council. Rosa Cortes and Lupe Mendoza were the others from the parent group who joined with me.”

The Hallman Council is the first of CBEL’s seven neighborhoods to join with the local neighborhood association, in this case the Northgate Neighborhood Association.

Since 2020, the Hallman-Northgate Neighborhood Family Council has organized seasonal events including Fun Fridays in the summer, and holiday events in fall, winter and spring. The Council continues to draw closer to the staff and administration of Hallman elementary, with annual teacher appreciation days and frequent delivery of snacks and other incentives for students to attend and perform at school.

Maricela (Left) and Vero (Right), CBEL RULER Spanish Class Facilitators

Vero was among the first people in Salem trained in the RULER program, developed by Yale University as a strategy for dealing with stress and conflict in elementary schools. She is now teaching a neighborhood parent group in the same technology. Their first class of about 50 parents recently “graduated” and are ready to bring RULER skills and practice into their homes.

In a recent interview, Vero graciously answered questions about her volunteer work:

What personal benefit have you received from being in the Neighborhood Family Council?

“Well, it’s very gratifying. I get pleasure doing something good for others. It’s nice to see so many people show up for our events and to see people making connections and building friendships. Out of that has come an increase in people volunteering and being interested in Council involvement. That’s where our next generation of leaders is coming from.

Our Council has been particularly successful in bringing more security to Northgate Park. From a time ten years ago, when the park was dangerous and where youth had been killed, it is now a place where families feel safe to play with their kids.”

Which of the Five Protective Factors are the most important to you and the Council, in terms of things CBEL can do for neighbors?

“They’re all important: Support in times of need, social connections, parental resilience, knowledge of parenting and child development, and the social and emotional competence of children. I think the Council is doing a good job providing those things.

Another important thing for the Council is practicing Outward Mindset, which basically teaches empathy – that my problems are no more important than yours”

What was your experience being a RULER teacher in the Parenting Group?

“First, it was exciting and gratifying to learn RULER with others, and a joy now to be teaching it to others, seeing them discover the value of new emotional learning.

It’s wonderful to see and hear the responses of parents who feel the benefits of RULER for themselves and their families. They show their emotions in class and, afterwards, they stay to say ‘thanks’ and show their appreciation by asking for more classes.”