An Immigrant’s Story

The Santanas migrated from Mexico to the U.S. to build a better life for themselves and their children, three girls, 5, 2 years old and 2 months old. They worked in the fields to earn a living. “We came here to live and I came to the Center to have someone take care of my daughters so I could work,” Alicia said. “The Center helped me a lot.”

Now, 16 years later, Alicia and her oldest daughter, Brenda, work at the Center where they provide nurturing and love to other children while their parents work. Brenda graduated high school and is registered in the Nursing Program at Glendale Community College. “I feel happy because they continued school,” Alicia said, “and she’s not going to have to work as hard.”

Brenda is excited about her plans; “I’m going to have an education and a career.”

The Santana Family is certainly a great success story. They’ve built their lives from being migrant farm workers and living in poverty to starting a successful small business and sending their oldest daughter to college. Their two younger daughters are doing well in school too. Angelica is in high school and Giselle is in middle school. The next generation of Santanas will have a much different life than their immigrant grandparents!