Debbie Cabrales Oral History Interview

A first generation Hispanic/Latina woman, Debbie Cabrales was born in Silverton, Oregon and grew up in Woodburn, Oregon. At the time of this interview, Cabrales was the executive director of Centro de Servicios para Campesinos and was also a member of the Woodburn City Council. Previously, Cabrales had worked with Latino Network as the Family Stability Program Coordinator.

Cabrales reflects on her experience of growing up in the predominantly Latinx community of Woodburn, and comments on how this immersion in her culture and first-hand exposure to community needs affected her career path. She also talks about her time working with Latino Network, a Latinx-specific nonprofit that coordinated direct services and policy work, among other programs. As the Family Stability Program Coordinator for Latino Network, she worked with families who were experiencing or were at risk of homelessness.

Cabrales then discusses the leadership opportunities she has pursued throughout her career and her motivations for focusing on serving her community. She talks about the changes that the Centro de Servicios para Campesinos has made in order to tailor to the needs of the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cabrales shares her experience of being the only Latinx person on the city council, and how that has informed her work as a councilwoman, her advocacy for the Latinx community and her work to get more Latinx community members involved in local politics.