Xitlali Torres

Email: xitlalia.torres@gmail.com or xitlalit@klcas.org
Title: Community Resource Specialist
Organization: Klamath and Lake Community Action Services
Community: Klamath Falls, Oregon
Population: Klamath County: 67,606, Lake County: 7,896
Counties Served: Klamath and Lake Counties

Meet Xitlali Torres (she/her):

Xitlali recently graduated from the University of Oregon with a Bachelors of Arts in Planning, Public Policy, and Management. Xitlali is primarily interested in environmental policy, climate change planning, sustainability, and the connection between culture and community with planning and decision making. During her education at the U of O, she engaged youth as a mentor in Peace Jam Northwest and UO Youth Movement. She also completed an internship with Beyond Toxics, a non-profit dedicated to community-driven environmental justice. In her free time, Xitlali likes to practice a variety of art mediums, including crochet, painting, and practicing banjo. After RARE, Xitlali hopes to continue a career in public service and eventually apply to graduate school.

Community and Organization:

Klamath Falls is located in south central Oregon on the southern shore of the Upper Klamath Lake. It is known for its proximity to Crater Lake and boasts 300 days of sunshine a year. Klamath and Lake Community Action Services (KLCAS) is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit and Community Action agency that provides supportive services in Klamath and Lake counties. Services include Energy Assistance, Family Support and Connections, Homelessness Prevention, Supportive Services for Veterans’ Families and Representative Payee support.

Project:

At KLCAS, Xitlali assists with high-level coordination between community organizations that are providing energy-related assistance to the communities of Klamath and Lake counties. She raises awareness about opportunities available to residents who have been historically underserved by energy-related programs. Her projects include creating a community resources handbook and an outreach plan to distribute it, facilitating energy provider coalition meetings, and giving hands-on support of energy service provider’s work. The capacity built by these projects allows these organizations to streamline, refer, and collaborate on energy-related services for their most vulnerable populations, as well as increase awareness of energy related services in the communities of Klamath and Lake counties.