“Estoy muy feliz de compartir mi experiencia en los eventos de Benditas. (...) La película que escogieron nos hizo reír y a la vez reflexionar sobre temas del amor propio, la fidelidad y las relaciones entre familiares. (...) Esa noche tuve la oportunidad de conocer y compartir experiencias con personas de Perú, Colombia, México y España. Benditas enciende la conexión y la reflexión entre hispanohablantes aquí en Bend, donde hay pocas oportunidades para encontrarse y conversar en español. (...) Me inspiran, colaboran conmigo y me hacen feliz de vivir aquí. Me encantaría seguir conviviendo y conociendo más personas hispanohablantes en los eventos de Benditas. Tenemos algo bonito aquí con este sueño realizado y que todo mundo lo sepa! Vamos Benditas!”

Verónica María Vega (Tertulias...¡de película)

“La organización BENDitas ofrece muchos beneficios a la comunidad hispanohablante en el centro de Oregon. A través de los eventos patrocinados por BENDitas, tenemos oportunidades de participar en las artes, reuniones sociales, actividades de enriquecimiento cultural y recibir apoyo profesional”.

Soy científico y músico. BENDitas me ha ayudó a ofrecer clases y talleres en los dos campos profesionales.

Armando Alcalde

"(...) My heart leaps with renewed hope for connecting with the real Latino/a/Hispanic community!

I have loved every Benditas gathering and event I have attended because there is a tangible sense of "home" for me. The most wonderful thing I've experienced, besides meeting an amazing representation of Latinos/as/Hispanics in town (even fellow Argentines!), is that these are intentionally much more than opportunities for socializing. Each event is deliberately thought-provoking while promoting considerate, vulnerable, and honest conversations for a deeper connection. Laughter and tears are shared and it is beautiful. (...) While I wholeheartedly appreciate and embrace my American upbringing, it also gives me deep joy to connect with my familial roots. Benditas has provided a safe space to show up as my whole self, and that has been priceless. I hope this group continues indefinitely so I can participate for years to come and we can all grow up and old together. I look forward to every Benditas event with my whole heart!

Irma Ranzuglia (Tertulias...¡de película!, Ciclo de cine en español en el Tin Pan)

I have very much enjoyed participating in many of the activities organized by Benditas. Being able to watch movies in Spanish here in Bend has been very valuable to me. I have enjoyed not only the movies themselves, but also the opportunity they provide to discuss aspects of the Latino culture and reality, including similarities and differences across countries. I have also found the “tertulias” very valuable in that I have learned much from the selected documentaries and from the facilitated discussions that have allowed for a deeper understanding of the issues and our individual approaches to them.