Selected interview transcript

This interview transcript has been modified for clarity and conciseness.

What brought you to the San Joaquin Valley? Is it where you would like to stay or your children to stay? Why or why not? 

More work opportunities and the chance to give my children a better life. Here, my children can finish off their careers and have a better future.

Describe your life 10 years ago as compared to now. Consider the following: community, neighborhood, personal challenges or improvements.

10 years ago: [there were] less homes, trouble finding housing, hard communicating with teachers due to only speaking one language - English.

Currently: [there are] newer homes in more areas and teachers speak more Spanish.

What did you want to be when you grew up? If you have children, what do they want to be? What/where do you want them to be? What are your dreams for them? What do you see as obstacles to them achieving these dreams?

If given the opportunity, I would have become a lawyer, but due to lack of education and money, I wasn’t able to pursue it. I would like for my children to have high careers such as doctor and lawyer. To stay close to the valley to be able to see them often. To have positive mindsets and have a career for the future. The lack of money can prevent them from continuing to go to school. 

If you were elected to office (County Board of Supervisors or mayor) and had unlimited power to make any changes you thought would improve your community or your environment, what would be the top 3 things on your agenda? County Board of Supervisors?

Add a hospital in the community, fix roads with the need of fixing (Central), [and] more security in schools.