Thoughts on the enduring value of being involved and supporting your community.
By DIANA PATINO-CRUZ
My name is Diana Patino-Cruz and I come from a Hispanic household. I currently live in Coon Rapids, but lived in Minneapolis for many years.
I work for Tri-Valley Opportunity Council Inc., which offers Head Start, child, and family programs for agricultural workers in rural Minnesota and North Dakota. I really appreciate my job because it gives me the opportunity to work with families I can relate to. I work with migrant workers who have many different stories. Some travel every year and work in different fields. Others come from their home places to a new country in hope of finding a better opportunity. I love giving back to my community which needs help and support.
I lived a block away from Waite House in the Phillips Neighborhood. We visited Waite House often and it was always important to me and my family. We would go to the food shelf, and this helped us financially. Our children attended the summer programs offered at Waite House. This was important in a Community where delinquency is known to be high. Keeping young people off the street and doing something effective was a way to benefit their future. My hope is to continue to contribute to the community that needs us most.
