Part 2 - Two Moms on a Mission - An RDLA Love Story

Jennie Cook asked her daughter and RootDown volunteer, Lindsay Cook, to write a profile of Ana Torres and Karen Ramirez, two RDLA staffers – two moms on a mission. Here's part two  (find part one here). As the saying goes “there’s no one you can’t love, if you knew their story.” Read on…

Ana Torres, 20 started in the program as a freshman at Jefferson High school, and now holds the title of Programs Assistant. Torres said, "at first I just saw [RootDown LA] as something fun, I didn't realize what a big impact it was going to have on my life."

Torres moved to South LA from Mexico when she was eight-years-old, and when she graduated from high school she had trouble finding a job because she didn't have a work-permit, so she ended up at shoe-store in Downtown LA, working for less than minimum-wage. She saw an ad on Craigslist for a job at World Wide Produce, which reminded her of her experience with RootDown LA. Torres called Hanson, expecting to ask for a reference, but she received a job offer instead.

"Megan said she wanted me to work for RootDown....she offered me a good wage and a flexible schedule, which I needed because I was pregnant at the time." It's been almost a year since that fateful call, Torres' son Aaron is 7-months-old, and her job with RootDown affords her time with Aaron, time with her community, and enough time left over to pursue an associates degree.

While RootDown LA used to be run exclusively by two women from outside of the community, it is now led by two women from the very community it was set up to serve. Neighbors helping neighbors; folks who have similar stories and experiences, of immigration, language barriers, and a lack of access to the resources needed to build a healthy life are working to change that story for the coming generation.

When asked where she'd be if RootDown LA hadn't been a part of her life, Torres laughs and throws her hands in the air, "Don't say that, I don't want to think about it! Karen and I talk about it sometimes, but It gives me chills just thinking about it...We'd probably both still be downtown, working for next to nothing, and just struggling...I don't think I'd have the same goals."

But as it stands, RootDown LA does exist, Torres and Ramirez both have dreams of finishing college and owning their own businesses one day. They also have faith they can offer their children a healthier life, filled with more and better opportunities.

Congratulations Temi, you're college bound, WOW!

That's Temi on the left. With the rabbit ears. This was a long Saturday with the first class of CULTIVARS working on a backyard garden for our neighbors over at WECAN,  one of our community partners. 

You'll see all these kids at the GROW event on May 2nd.

  They all took a field trip up the coast to see McGrath Farms. They talked about dirt, organics and how (and what) Farmer Phil grows!

 

Here Temi again, celebrating some organic parkway corn at ANOTHER site, in between cramming for the SAT's.

 And this is how his garden is growing:

Temi has been admitted to the Freshman Class for UnIversity of Irvine, Davis, and also Pitzer College for Agriculture.

He wrote his personal essay on RootDownLA, here's an excerpt:

"Many more children than I thought, were interested in growing food. Often times, we had kids come volunteer with the maintenance team. They wanted to know why we did everything we did, from mulching to composting. I, for one, was truly amazed. My heart filled with joy as questions from the little curious children flowed on me. Not many children nowadays want to get involved in such a thing as gardening. These little kids were thrilled to dig in some dirt and plant. It was great to see children who would rather do this than stay inside and watch television. Participating in this program was very rewarding to me because I loved to see the faces of my clients when I walked up to their doorsteps to deliver their homegrown produce to them. I believe that it is a great accomplishment to give back to my community, especially through organic food."

Congratulations Temiloluwa Salako, You have inspired all of us.

Next up, Karen and Ana, "Two Moms on a Mission".

Tickets for sale NOW! Bring your friends and spread the word!