Creating Community Through Shared Joy
Chris Casillas, Founder and Executive Director, and Miracle Martinez, Program Manager and Vice President, Regenerating Sonora
Stewards across the country are imagining, inspiring, and building a movement to thrive together. Through their actions and their words, they are making the case for an equitable and thriving future in their communities and bringing others into the work. Here, we introduce you to Chris Casillas and Miracle Martinez of Regenerating Sonora who are finding unique—and fun—ways to share their roadmap for change
If you want to change the world, then you have to throw better parties,” says Chris Casillas. “We need to try as much as possible to make the ends and the means the same.”
Chris and his colleague Miracle Martinez of Regenerating Sonora understand that regeneration of human communities and natural environments in the Sonora Bioregion depends on local citizens seeing the potential of their place: a once again flourishing community in rural Superior, Arizona, after years of devastating losses caused by the copper mine closing. Miracle believes an important part of their job is to unite the town’s 3,000 residents around a future-focused roadmap with energy and momentum.
“Happiness brings people together,” she said. “Even though we're fighting against really tough issues, the lightheartedness and fun at our parties inspire people to keep going.”
Look through Regenerating Sonora’s Facebook page and you will see a variety of posts inviting residents to open mic nights, painting workshops, and full moon gardening parties. Every event advances the narrative for healthy communities and natural environments where all life is thriving and harmoniously connected.
"Happiness brings people together."
- Miracle Martinez
Both Chris and Miracle are deeply connected to the community in their own unique ways. Chris is a fifth-generation Superior resident who returned to found Regenerating Sonora after a ten-year successful career at a tech start-up. He was drawn back by legacies past and future. His grandparents were community workers in the town, instilling a love for giving back that “got into his bones.” Chris quit his tech job and began playing a role in making the world a better place so he could be a living example for his own family he would eventually help start.
For Miracle, Regenerating Sonora is an opportunity to both advance the local community and contribute to a wider understanding of how to build a culture of health in rural, underserved areas. She holds a second position as a University of Arizona community outreach assistant where she develops and shares new engagement ideas with her university colleagues—from having fun to overcoming financial barriers to participation.
One example is compensating people who join youth and community advisory boards in order to value their time and commitment.
Chris agrees and is exploring ways to fairly compensate people for their time. “Finding economic pathways for folks to join us, especially in low-income communities, is really critical,” he said. “We always want to be doing things with our community, not to or for our community. But how can they participate when they're in survival mode, working two jobs and trying to pay the bills? Compensation can make a difference to those who want to participate but may be overly stressed trying to make ends meet.”
By giving residents on-ramps to become part of the bigger “we,” Chris and Miracle are bringing people together to advance Regenerating Sonora’s movement. “People are noticing the big advancements we're making, and they’re feeling hopeful that good things can happen without relying on the mining industry,” Chris said. “Some need to see the wins and the consistency before they will join the party.”
Listen to more from Chris on Rippel’s Unsung Stewards podcast where he discusses how a multigenerational approach and a deep understanding of a region’s legacies and history can help communities build a resilient and thriving future.
About Chris Casillas
Christopher Casillas is founder and executive director of Regenerating Sonora, a community development non-profit that is nurturing local potential for a resilient and thriving future. Christopher founded Regen Sonora five years ago as an answer to a call to be a good ancestor for future generations. Returning to his hometown of Superior, AZ where his family has lived for over 100 years, Christopher brought together a local team of all-stars who, together with their neighbors, are developing the social, natural, and financial capital of their place. Prior to this, Christopher was a leader at an early stage startup turned multi-billion dollar company. He is a board member of the Center for Shamanic Education and Exchange, has visited 40 countries, and is a student of various wisdom traditions. His son Francisco is a 6th generation community member of Superior.
About Miracle Martinez
Miracle Martinez jokingly says she is a miracle worker. She is the program manager and vice president of Regenerating Sonora. Miracle holds a position at the University of Arizona as a community outreach assistant for the town of Superior, AZ. She also volunteers her time to the community, helping create fundraisers and town events. She has recently joined the Arizona Arts Commission as a grant panelist. She devotes any extra time she has to her personal art movement, called Mixed Media Miracles.