Immigrant Stories: Building Belonging in the Glass City

My story starts with my parents and how they migrated to the United States. My mother and father were born in El Salvador. They came from humble beginnings, known as campesinos, in rural El Salvador. My family fled El Salvador during the 80s civil war, caused by a US-backed military government and left-wing Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN) guerillas. Growing up, I saw the sacrifices my parents made to give me and my siblings a better life. I wanted my mother to live with me, and so I ventured out of my home state of Florida and decided to buy property in Toledo. My goal was to bring my mother and father to live with me. I wanted to show them the fruits of their labor, never having to worry once they got older. I see Toledo as a growing city with lots of opportunities. Unfortunately, my father was the only one who got to see their future retirement home.

The reason my mother was not able to make it to Toledo is because she had health problems. Although Miami has a large Spanish speaking population, hospitals and social services are all in English. Growing up, my siblings and I often translated documents and interpreted appointments. As we grew older and left, my parents were also losing an important resource. My mother was never given such resources, and so now I dedicate my time with assisting newcomers, specifically immigrants who speak Spanish, with interpreting documents and signing up for benefits.

A welcoming Toledo-Lucas County community looks like city-wide events catering to the local population. I see many events taking place in Toledo, family activities, resource fairs, and cultural events. I am always excited for the next event in Toledo.

One of my favorite aspects of the Toledo-Lucas County community is the view of the river and how much potential the city has. Glass City Metropark is one of my favorite places and encapsulates how the city is progressing.