BY Mike McKenna
Herbert Romero wants to make a difference in the world and he doesn’t care if he has to do so one person at a time. In fact, that’s the best way he knows how.
Herbert and his family moved to the Wood River Valley from Los Angeles several years ago. At first, Herbert was commuting back to Southern California to continue his community-focused work. But once his wife and youngest son decided this is where they wanted to stay for good, Herbert began to forge his way into creating a similar career here.
“I love it here after 40 years in L.A.,” Herbert said, explaining that his work is based in “partnerships, integration and collaboration.”
Project Tools and Partners is the business name and really the umbrella that covers all that Herbert does. His is best known locally for teaming up with The Chamber, Lago Azul restaurant and many others to put on the Hispanic Heritage Festival in Hailey last fall. The event celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month, which Governor Brad Little endorsed, and included tasty food and music and was attended by everyone from the Jerome High School Dance Team to State Senator Michelle Stennett.
“It was a great event that showcased the Hispanic world in a whole new light,” Herbert said about an event that is scheduled to return later this year, on Sept. 21. “It was very inclusive and showed how people of different Hispanic backgrounds are working together for our community.”
Connecting the Latino and white communities is one of Herbert’s big goals.
“The Hispanic and white communities are helping, and little by little they’re making a difference, but we need to do more,” said Herbert, whose family heritage is Salvadoran and Mexican. “We see each other, but we’re not breaking bread. We need to create more activities and events that connect us and bring us together.”
The other work Herbert does includes teaming up with nonprofits like the Flourish Foundation, The Hunger Coalition and Balmoral Apartments, as well as St. Luke’s Wood River, to offer the Padrino Program, which helps mentor and counsel families and young achievers to become active and engaged.
“Without a compass, it’s easy to get lost,” Herbert said. “I work with kids and families that are open to support. I connect them with organizations and opportunities. I can be that bridge that connects people, that brings people together.”
Herbert said the key to doing good community work is to make people more accountable. “Kids need to be engaged, to get out there and do things. Parents and other caregivers need to understand that they need to do more than just work to support their families—they need to spend quality time together, as well,” he explained.
To find out more about Project Tools and Partners or the Hispanic Heritage Festival, please contact Herbert at ProjectToolSuccess@yahoo.com or call (208) 309-5902.
It wouldn’t hurt if we all adopted Herbert’s inclusive and accountable attitude, as well. “I want to make a contribution to our community,” he said. “Actions speak louder than words.”
Mike McKenna is the executive director of The Chamber – Hailey & The Wood River Valley. He can be reached at Mike@ValleyChamber.org or by calling (208) 788-3484.