Our Community
Meet Our Team
Nuestra Alianza de Willits began as a small, student-led initiative in 2000 to meet the needs of immigrant families, and it has grown into a vital community organization that supports education, culture, and family well-being in Willits.
origins and founding
Nuestra Alianza de Willits was founded in 2000 by a group of English as a Second Language (ESL) students and their teacher, Dina Hutton, to address the educational and cultural needs of Latino families in Willits, California.
The idea began when Hutton’s students, many of whom were first-generation immigrants, brainstormed the services they wanted for their children—especially English coaching and homework help. They wrote their wishes on a blackboard, and Hutton encouraged them to make it happen. This vision led to the creation of a nonprofit organization, with the motto “Si, se puede — Yes, we can!”
mission
Today, NAW continues serving Willits and parts of Mendocino County, focusing on strengthening families, improving educational outcomes, and preserving Latino heritage. Their grassroots approach—listening to the community to create programs—remains one of their main strengths.
