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We invited Vanessa Zamora, Executive Director of Bienvenidos, and her best friend Ayde Guerrero to join us at the Co-op for a special photoshoot featuring some of our favorite Latin-owned products. Vanessa, who is not only an advocate for the immigrant community but also an immigrant herself, took the time to share her story with us. From Colombia to Bozeman, Vanessa’s journey is one of resilience, community, and making a difference for those who need it most.
From Colombia to Bozeman
The Gallatin Valley may be a long way from Colombia, but for Vanessa Zamora, Executive Director of Bienvenidos, her journey to Bozeman is just part of a much larger story.
At 17, Vanessa left her home country to reunite with her father in the U.S. and pursue an education. It wasn’t an easy move — she arrived with limited English skills, a new family dynamic, and the challenge of adapting to a place that felt entirely different from home.
“Adjusting to this new world was incredibly isolating, even though I wasn’t alone physically,” Vanessa shares. Everything was new — the language, the culture, the way of life.
Despite these challenges, Vanessa didn’t give up. She graduated from MSU. Her own experience inspired her to create the support she wished she’d had during those early days. That's why she’s dedicated her work to Bienvenidos, a local nonprofit that helps Spanish-speaking immigrants navigate life in Bozeman.
“Bienvenidos is a welcoming space for Spanish-speaking individuals and families who have moved to the area and may feel isolated, much like I did when I first arrived,” Vanessa explains. The organization pairs families with bilingual mentors to help them with everything from paying bills to understanding local norms.
Building a Welcoming Community
Bienvenidos is more than a nonprofit; it’s a community lifeline. With hundreds of volunteers and countless success stories, the organization has helped families find housing, receive medical care, and navigate the often confusing world of immigration paperwork.
Vanessa smiles as she recalls some of their biggest wins: “We’ve provided life-changing dental care for a young man whose family couldn’t afford it, simply because they didn’t have insurance."
Bienvenidos has helped families get their work permits so they can fully participate in the workforce. "These moments, where families are finally set up to thrive, are what make this work so fulfilling."
For Vanessa, Latine Heritage Month isn’t just a time to celebrate — it’s an opportunity to remind Gallatin Valley of the contributions the Latine and immigrant communities bring.
"Celebrating our heritage allows us to come together, break down labels, and see each other as real humans,” she says. And for Latinas looking up to Vanessa, she shares this advice: "The key is to find someone you admire, ask questions, and then follow your own rhythm. Don’t feel pressured to follow someone else’s recipe for success — it might work for pastries, but not for your life. Do it your way, and focus on what you love, because that’s where the real impact comes from."
As the Co-op we honor Latine heritage, we invite you to not just look at the products on our shelves but to get to know your neighbors, like Vanessa, who work tirelessly to support and uplift our community. Because at the Co-op, we believe that local truly means better, in every sense of the word.