The community organization has a strong presence in the commune, marked by its social work focused on children and generating instances of solidarity among the population.
Municipal elections 2024 left one of the great triumphs of the day, personified by Matías Toledo, one of the founders – along with Pablo Chill-E – of the Shishigang social coordinatoras the new mayor of Puente Alto.
Matías Toledo told radio ADN in 2019 that The Shishigang Coordinator was born as an instance to carry out social activities in various camps and populations of the capital, by Pablo Chill-E and Barbero Exótico.
Toledo stated that the artist and Exotic Barber had had bad experiences when carrying out social work with homeless people, so He invited them to see his work in the NGO Rayito de Luz, focused on children at social risk.
“The kids liked this problem because they had been looking for a place like this for a while, since they had not liked working with people on the streets because many times they are disrespectful and they go to the top“explained the new communal chief.
In this way, Toledo suggested to his new friends create the coordinator and “thus articulate all these social works that we had been developing as a non-welfare social work platform. Always with the idea of seeking the transformation of society, building or rebuilding social fabric and supporting people who want to transform their reality or change their habits.”
“Here in Puente Alto – where the majority resides – we participate in villages, camps and occupations, among them Los Areneros, Sueños Posibles, Millantú, Nuevo beginning, Casas Viejas, Villa Primavera and Las Brisas,” he stated.
Regarding the criticism of coordinator Shishigang, Matías Toledo responded that “there are people who are bothered by the cult of the marginal, but regardless of whether it bothers or not, we want to reflect that this is a reality.”
This has caused me to face a media controversy with the outgoing mayor Germán Codina and Pablo Chill-E, who revealed alleged links between the Shishingang coordinator and drug trafficking by questioning the origin of her resources, which was flatly ruled out by the organization, which responded that “we want to make clear our firm opposition to drug trafficking and the circle of violence that surrounds it.”
Time.news Interview: Examining Social Progress Through Community Initiatives
Time.news Editor: Welcome to Time.news! Today, we have an insightful conversation lined up with Matías Toledo, the new mayor of Puente Alto and a prominent figure behind the Shishigang social coordinator. Matías, congratulations on your recent election victory! How are you feeling about the role ahead of you?
Matías Toledo: Thank you! It’s a tremendous honor and responsibility. I’m excited to focus on our community’s needs and build on the solid foundation we’ve laid through our social work.
Time.news Editor: Let’s dive into that. The Shishigang coordinator has made quite an impact in Puente Alto, particularly with children at social risk. Can you tell us more about how this organization was born?
Matías Toledo: Absolutely! The Shishigang Coordinator was created to engage in social activities across various camps and communities in the capital. My collaborators, Pablo Chill-E and Barbero Exótico, had previously faced challenges in their social work with homeless individuals. Their experiences motivated us to focus our efforts on children, which we felt was more aligned with our vision for positive change.
Time.news Editor: It sounds like a shift towards addressing children’s needs is a significant part of your mission. Why did you find that focusing on children was more impactful?
Matías Toledo: Kids are our future, and they deserve a nurturing environment. We found that while some may struggle with accepting help when they’re in difficult situations, children are more open to engaging in constructive activities. When we worked with the NGO Rayito de Luz, which focuses on children at social risk, we discovered that kids were actively seeking out safe spaces for growth and learning, which was fulfilling to witness.
Time.news Editor: That’s inspiring! Community solidarity appears to be a central theme of your work. How do you foster this sense of solidarity among the residents of Puente Alto?
Matías Toledo: Solidarity is crucial in building a safe and positive community. We strive to create opportunities for people to come together, share resources, and support one another. Whether through events, workshops, or simply engaging in conversations, we aim to create a culture where everyone feels valued and connected. We believe that by uplifting each other, we can create lasting change.
Time.news Editor: As you step into this role as mayor, what are your top priorities for Puente Alto in the coming years?
Matías Toledo: My primary focus will be to enhance access to education and social services for children and families. We aim to expand our social initiatives and collaborate with local organizations to ensure we meet the diverse needs of our community. Additionally, I want to prioritize dialogue with residents to address their concerns and ideas.
Time.news Editor: It sounds like you have a clear vision for the future of Puente Alto! Closing thoughts—what message would you like to convey to the citizens as you embark on this journey?
Matías Toledo: I want the people of Puente Alto to know that their voices matter. Together, we can create a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Let’s work in partnership towards a future filled with hope, solidarity, and resilience.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Matías, for sharing your insights and your vision for Puente Alto. Best of luck as you lead the community forward!
Matías Toledo: Thank you for having me! It was a pleasure.