Regional Organization Collaborates with Border Proud Students
By: Karla Hernandez & Sophia Andritsos
(Credit: OCNWAYS, twitter)
The overall mission of REDAs Border Proud website is to make readers and writers regionally aware of the Borderplex region that comprises El Paso, Ciudad Juárez, and Las Cruces. In order to achieve this mission, the Border Proud magazine highlights regional stories through data, research, investigation, and collaboration. Being regionally aware of economic and political issues in the Borderplex is hugely important, in order to advance change in the region.
In order to advance change in the Borderplex region, REDA is collaborating with a regional organization called Old Cities, New Ways. Old Cities, New Ways is a content agency that highlights the rich history of the Old Cities in the Borderplex as well as the new paths cities are taking to revitalize their present to build a better future.
Old Cities, New Ways (OCNWays) was founded on October 4, 2019 by Saul Dominguez. He identified the need to highlight the region and showcase its potential outside of the Borderplex. He reached out to his creative content enthusiast friend, Aldemar Aburto. Aldemar jumped on the idea and OCNWays was born. Since then the team has grown and is full of young and passionate members, all locally born and raised.
The grit to highlight the Borderplex region transpires the most through their overall mission of OCNWays. Alongside REDA, OCNWays’ mission is to provide a platform through which community leaders at every level can express themselves to a broader audience. Additionally, this organization emphasizes the great talent and opportunities this region has to offer.
Akin to REDA, OCNWays loves the dynamic economy the Borderplex has between the two countries and three states. A unique environment that can be further developed and capitalized on it by better bridging the three cities. Through creative ideas, OCNWays is interested in increasing talent retention, improving the current workforce, and growing binational job opportunities in the Borderplex. Members of OCNWays have developed a unique way of reaching out to the Borderplex community- through a podcast. Their podcast discovers and expands on the amazing things that the Borderplex has to offer through discussion on various topics with different individuals from the region.
The passion OCNWays has for highlighting proprietary human capital through focusing on regional stories, is similar to the mission of Border Proud, and the Regional Economic Development Association at UTEP. Similar to Border Proud, OCNWays looks to evoke change in El Paso by bringing to light the great things the Borderplex region has to offer and introducing the successful people leaving their mark on the region. The organization wants to amplify the bright and positive outlook of our region. In addition, they want to keep our locals who aren’t currently residing in El Paso, updated on all things Borderplex to further promote the area and inspire people that leave the region and come back home and pursue success in the region.
Despite difficulties caused by the pandemic, OCNWays accepts that this year has derailed the organization from their “usual” way of communication and collaboration, but its founders refuse to let that deviate them from their bigger goal. To adapt to the tough times they are creatively finding ways to create content such as recording remotely, taking the proper safety precautions when recording, and focusing on remote work through effectively utilizing social media. In addition, they are actively contributing to local initiatives that support our community’s non-profits, and assist people in need via donations.
Our students at Border Proud are excited to highlight the contributions of Old Cities New Ways to the region, and look forward to future collaborations with this organization to highlight regional success stories, and the unique economic and human capital that the Borderplex region generates. If you are interested in learning more about his organization, check them out on social media @ocnways on all platforms, and check out their podcasts on Spotify.
The overall mission of REDAs Border Proud website is to make readers and writers regionally aware of the Borderplex region that comprises El Paso, Ciudad Juárez, and Las Cruces. In order to achieve this mission, the Border Proud magazine highlights regional stories through data, research, investigation, and collaboration. Being regionally aware of economic and political issues in the Borderplex is hugely important, in order to advance change in the region.
In order to advance change in the Borderplex region, REDA is collaborating with a regional organization called Old Cities, New Ways. Old Cities, New Ways is a content agency that highlights the rich history of the Old Cities in the Borderplex as well as the new paths cities are taking to revitalize their present to build a better future.
Old Cities, New Ways (OCNWays) was founded on October 4, 2019 by Saul Dominguez. He identified the need to highlight the region and showcase its potential outside of the Borderplex. He reached out to his creative content enthusiast friend, Aldemar Aburto. Aldemar jumped on the idea and OCNWays was born. Since then the team has grown and is full of young and passionate members, all locally born and raised.
The grit to highlight the Borderplex region transpires the most through their overall mission of OCNWays. Alongside REDA, OCNWays’ mission is to provide a platform through which community leaders at every level can express themselves to a broader audience. Additionally, this organization emphasizes the great talent and opportunities this region has to offer.
Akin to REDA, OCNWays loves the dynamic economy the Borderplex has between the two countries and three states. A unique environment that can be further developed and capitalized on it by better bridging the three cities. Through creative ideas, OCNWays is interested in increasing talent retention, improving the current workforce, and growing binational job opportunities in the Borderplex. Members of OCNWays have developed a unique way of reaching out to the Borderplex community- through a podcast. Their podcast discovers and expands on the amazing things that the Borderplex has to offer through discussion on various topics with different individuals from the region.
The passion OCNWays has for highlighting proprietary human capital through focusing on regional stories, is similar to the mission of Border Proud, and the Regional Economic Development Association at UTEP. Similar to Border Proud, OCNWays looks to evoke change in El Paso by bringing to light the great things the Borderplex region has to offer and introducing the successful people leaving their mark on the region. The organization wants to amplify the bright and positive outlook of our region. In addition, they want to keep our locals who aren’t currently residing in El Paso, updated on all things Borderplex to further promote the area and inspire people that leave the region and come back home and pursue success in the region.
Despite difficulties caused by the pandemic, OCNWays accepts that this year has derailed the organization from their “usual” way of communication and collaboration, but its founders refuse to let that deviate them from their bigger goal. To adapt to the tough times they are creatively finding ways to create content such as recording remotely, taking the proper safety precautions when recording, and focusing on remote work through effectively utilizing social media. In addition, they are actively contributing to local initiatives that support our community’s non-profits, and assist people in need via donations.
Our students at Border Proud are excited to highlight the contributions of Old Cities New Ways to the region, and look forward to future collaborations with this organization to highlight regional success stories, and the unique economic and human capital that the Borderplex region generates. If you are interested in learning more about his organization, check them out on social media @ocnways on all platforms, and check out their podcasts on Spotify.
