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eltimpano.bsky.social
El Tímpano
@eltimpano.bsky.social
🗣Periodismo participatorio. El Tímpano informs, engages, and amplifies the voices of the Bay Area's Latino & Mayan immigrants.👂🏽
www.eltimpano.org
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👋🏼Hi, we're El Tímpano—a civic media organization designed with and for the Bay Area's Latino & Mayan immigrants.

We produce news in Spanish, Mam, and English, via SMS, videos, on the streets, and online at www.eltimpano.org
We're glad to join you here.
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El Tímpano—Spanish for “eardrum”—informs, engages, and amplifies the voices of Latino and Mayan immigrants of Oakland and the wider Bay Area.
www.eltimpano.org
Twenty years ago, Yanira Gomez made the difficult decision to leave El Salvador to seek life-saving medical treatment for her son in the U.S. She reflects on the challenges she’s faced in the process and the ongoing challenges of navigating their immigration status.
www.eltimpano.org/mi-historia/...
‘I am afraid of the immigration situation’: A mother navigates the complexities of the immigration system and her son’s lifelong medical needs
Lea esta historia en español. Alejandro was born on December 29, 1998. A year and a half later, a sudden blow changed everything. Alejandro was just starting to walk and he hit a table. His head swell...
www.eltimpano.org
November 14, 2025 at 7:27 PM
In today's Weekly Dispatch, @ehellerstein.bsky.social reflects on how the Fruitvale Día de los Muertos festival brought together thousands to honor their loved ones and celebrate heritage and culture—even amid fears of immigration enforcement.

www.eltimpano.org/newsletter/w...
What Oakland’s Día de los Muertos taught us this year
Local journalism needs your support This week kicks off our end-of-year fund drive and we need YOU to help us start strong. Join our community of donors to power the journalism you and thousands of Ba...
www.eltimpano.org
November 8, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Despite recent threats of an immigration enforcement “surge” in the Bay Area, thousands gathered at Sunday's festival in Oakland’s Fruitvale district. Festivalgoers participated in El Tímpano’s “altar comunitario,” sharing memories of their loved ones.

www.eltimpano.org/english/crea...
Creating remembrance at Día de los Muertos in Oakland
Festivalgoers participated in El Tímpano’s “altar comunitario,” sharing memories of their loved ones.
www.eltimpano.org
November 6, 2025 at 5:54 PM
In this week's Weekly Dispatch, @ehellerstein.bsky.social shares a postmortem on last week’s events—not only on what unfolded, but on what local orgs learned during what became, in effect, a dress rehearsal for the immigration crackdown that may still come.

www.eltimpano.org/newsletter/s...
Stress testing the Bay Area’s immigration support networks
Not yet subscribed? Click here to sign up for our weekly emails.  The Weekly Dispatch Community-powered immigration news from the Bay Area. Welcome to El Tímpano’s Weekly Dispatch. I’m Erica Hellerste...
www.eltimpano.org
October 31, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Felicitas lost Medi-Cal health coverage after earning just above the eligibility limit and had to decide: earn less to regain coverage, or keep her pay & live uninsured. Now, as CA freezes Medi-Cal enrollments for undocumented immigrants, that choice may disappear.
www.eltimpano.org/english/heal...
As health care contracts in Trump era, undocumented immigrants run out of options
As California freezes Medi-Cal, who will step in to help the growing number of uninsured immigrants?
www.eltimpano.org
October 30, 2025 at 8:15 PM
In our latest Weekly Dispatch: Amid an intensified immigration crackdown, Bay Area clinics are racing to keep immigrants enrolled in Medi‑Cal as fears and policy shifts threaten their access to care.

www.eltimpano.org/newsletter/a...
As immigration crackdown lingers, clinics race to keep immigrants enrolled in Medi-Cal
Community-powered immigration news from the Bay Area.
www.eltimpano.org
October 26, 2025 at 9:45 PM
In today's Weekly Dispatch, @ehellerstein.bsky.social reports on the rise in scams targeting immigrants seeking legal help—where fraudsters pose as legitimate attorneys, make false promises and charge for services that may never be delivered.

www.eltimpano.org/newsletter/h...
How fraudsters are preying on immigrants seeking legal support
Not yet subscribed? Click here to sign up for our weekly emails.  The Weekly Dispatch Community-powered immigration news from the Bay Area. Welcome to El Tímpano’s Weekly Dispatch. I’m Erica Hellerste...
www.eltimpano.org
October 17, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Reposted by El Tímpano
ICYMI: This week's newsletter is all about @eltimpano.bsky.social's collab with Latino USA. It's the story of Pedro, a farmworker who survived Half Moon Bay's mass shooting. He lost his brother in the attack and was shot 5 times. Then he discovered the accordion.

www.eltimpano.org/newsletter/w...
When culture cures: the healing power of music for trauma
Not yet subscribed? Click here to sign up for our weekly emails.  The Weekly Dispatch Community-powered immigration news from the Bay Area. Welcome to El Tímpano’s Weekly Dispatch. I’m Erica Hellerste...
www.eltimpano.org
October 10, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Reposted by El Tímpano
A shooting at two farms. Seven immigrant workers killed. One survivor.

How an unconventional music program is helping farmworkers heal from trauma through the keys and wails of the accordion.

Listen to Latino USA's latest collaboration with @eltimpano.bsky.social
Music Cures: The Healing Power of the Accordion After a Shooting - Latino USA
We travel to Half Moon Bay, where an unconventional music program is helping farmworkers victims of a shooting heal from their deepest wounds through the keys and wails of the accordion.
www.latinousa.org
October 8, 2025 at 3:36 PM
✨ Welcome Gabriela Calvillo Alvarez to El Tímpano! ✨Our new South Alameda County reporter is a proud Latine journalist, born and raised in the East Bay. As a daughter of Mexican immigrants, Gabriela hopes her work amplifies the voices within the communities she covers and cares about.
October 8, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Reposted by El Tímpano
Thrilled to share the long-awaited collab btw @eltimpano.bsky.social + Latino USA! I spent months reporting on an accordion class helping the farmworker survivors of the Half Moon Bay shooting heal from their trauma. It's a piece abt grief, love, healing & culture.

www.latinousa.org/2025/10/03/m...
Music Cures: The Healing Power of the Accordion After a Shooting - Latino USA
We travel to Half Moon Bay, where an unconventional music program is helping farmworkers victims of a shooting heal from their deepest wounds through the keys and wails of the accordion.
www.latinousa.org
October 5, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Now available in your podcast feeds — @ehellerstein.bsky.social's Latino USA episode on an unconventional music program in Half Moon Bay that's helping farmworkers heal from trauma through the accordion.

Ep will also air live on @kqednews.kqed.org tonight at 6 pm!

www.latinousa.org/2025/10/03/m...
Music Cures: The Healing Power of the Accordion After a Shooting - Latino USA
We travel to Half Moon Bay, where an unconventional music program is helping farmworkers victims of a shooting heal from their deepest wounds through the keys and wails of the accordion.
www.latinousa.org
October 5, 2025 at 6:13 PM
On Sept. 20, California passed new laws aimed at protecting immigrant communities against ICE and federal immigration enforcement. We spoke with Bay Area educators and health care workers about what these new laws mean for local schools, hospitals and clinics.

www.eltimpano.org/english/immi...
‘A feeling of safety’: Bay Area health workers, educators weigh in on new California laws to counter immigration crackdown
What California's new immigration laws mean, from mask bans to state oversight of ICE in hospitals and schools.
www.eltimpano.org
September 29, 2025 at 9:30 PM
In today's Weekly Dispatch, @ehellerstein.bsky.social highlights new state immigration bills and a regional Stand Together Bay Area Fund that will support immigrants facing financial insecurity due to the federal immigration crackdown.

www.eltimpano.org/newsletter/a...
After raids and court rulings, California doubles down on immigrant protections
Not yet subscribed? Click here to sign up for our weekly emails.  The Weekly Dispatch Community-powered immigration news from the Bay Area. Welcome to El Tímpano’s Weekly Dispatch. I’m Erica Hellerste...
www.eltimpano.org
September 26, 2025 at 9:48 PM
As part of our ongoing reporting on youth gun violence in Oakland, El Tímpano invited community members to share their concerns and hopes for the young people in their lives.

🔊 Read and listen to their responses in our latest story.

www.eltimpano.org/english/publ...
Voices from the Community: Hopes for East Bay Youth / Voces de la comunidad: Esperanzas para los jóvenes del este de la bahía
Amid fears of violence, families call for more resources and support for young people. / Entre miedo de violencia, las familias piden más recursos y apoyo para los jóvenes.
www.eltimpano.org
September 23, 2025 at 12:03 AM
In today's Weekly Dispatch, @ehellerstein.bsky.social reports on how increased immigration enforcement is preventing immigrant families from accessing necessary health care, triggering delays, mental health crises, and worsened outcomes. 👇

www.eltimpano.org/newsletter/h...
Health care in the shadow of ICE
Not yet subscribed? Click here to sign up for our weekly emails.  The Weekly Dispatch Community-powered immigration news from the Bay Area. Welcome to El Tímpano’s Weekly Dispatch. I’m Erica Hellerste...
www.eltimpano.org
September 19, 2025 at 10:53 PM
🌿 Did you know Sausal Creek is one of East Oakland’s hidden biodiversity hotspots? Last weekend, we celebrated #LatinoConservationWeek by hosting a guided hike in Spanish of this vibrant local watershed.
September 18, 2025 at 5:39 PM
🎉 We're thrilled to see El Tímpano's Strategic Partnerships Manager Malena Data Ernani join the new @aspendigital.bsky.social cohort! Over the next year, Malena will be exploring ways emerging technology can better serve our communities.

Congrats, Malena!
Excited to share the inaugural cohort of Aspen Digital's Community & Tech Leaders Initiative!

We selected 10 incredible community leaders for a yearlong journey to develop strategies to bring tech & community closer together.

Check out the class here - bit.ly/46kqJ1B
September 17, 2025 at 4:48 PM
In our latest Weekly Dispatch, @ehellerstein.bsky.social looks into a recent ruling that will disqualify asylum claims based on domestic violence. Advocates from orgs like @eastbaysanctuary.bsky.social warn this will severely limit protections for survivors.

www.eltimpano.org/newsletter/a...
A blow to domestic violence asylum
Not yet subscribed? Click here to sign up for our weekly emails.  The Weekly Dispatch Community-powered immigration news from the Bay Area. Welcome to El Tímpano’s Weekly Dispatch. I’m Erica Hellerste...
www.eltimpano.org
September 12, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Community orgs in Oakland are working to stop the cycle of gun violence by responding quickly to crises, offering mentorship and providing long-term healing.

But these programs remain vulnerable to funding cuts, report Vanessa Flores & @ximenaspeaks.bsky.social.👇

www.eltimpano.org/english/publ...
Preventing the next tragedy
Senseless killings and the Oakland-based organization trying to fight them.
www.eltimpano.org
September 11, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Reposted by El Tímpano
The Medium Division winner of the Breaking Barriers Award is “Poisoned Pipes and Painted Walls: Oakland’s Pervasive Lead Problem” from @eltimpano.bsky.social.
September 11, 2025 at 1:38 AM
After the murder of Oakland teen Derbing Alvarado, his loved ones face grief and systemic gaps in support.

“We are sick from sadness," said Derbing Alvarado Sr., Derbing’s father.

Full story by Vanessa Flores and @ximenaspeaks.bsky.social 👇

www.eltimpano.org/english/publ...
The day the text never came
After the murder of 15-year-old Derbing Alvarado, his loved ones confront grief, the ripples of gun violence and systemic gaps in support.
www.eltimpano.org
September 10, 2025 at 8:58 PM
This year marks the 5th anniversary of the #COVID19 pandemic. We invited our community to reflect on their pandemic experiences through poetry workshops, text messages and oral histories. What resulted is a time capsule of stories of loss, strength and resilience.

www.eltimpano.org/english/cult...
Rayos de Resiliencia / Rays of Resilience
Voces de la comunidad latina de la Bahía durante la pandemia / Voices of the Bay Area’s Latino community during the pandemic
www.eltimpano.org
September 5, 2025 at 8:14 PM