In 2018-2019 there are so many memories to reflect on. While there are many stories to tell, the one theme that comes to my heart this season is that of celebrating the deep relationships that our community has built over the past several years. I am reminded of how so many gathered together over a process of a year to visit and question ways that our community could become closer. One ALAS friend and past City Councilmember, Rick Kwoalcyzk always shared the phrase of "we are one community", This year has been a powerful demonstration of our community coming together as one. We have stood side by side through struggles of ICE fears, have listened to those that have made difficult journeys- leaving families behind to find their way to our community. We have seen neighbors, friends and leaders open their doors to welcome one another in ways represented by offering warm meals, listening with care, advocating, witnessing and accompanying in many ways. Our children have seen smiles of those who once were strangers, now amigos. We have lost loved ones in our community this year that have been mentors, friends and allies and at the same time we have sighed knowing the love that still is felt. Today as I reflect on what I am grateful for this year- ALAS is so blessed to be part of seeing us all come together to grow as one familia While there is still work to be done, it is important to celebrate the steps we have taken in 2018.

The excitement is in the air as we kick off our 2016 season. Images of colorful trajes, friends laughing, mariachis singing with gritos that fill the air mark the beginning of  ALAS' season of performing arts. This past week, Tonantzin began our first week of ballet folklorico classes. It was the first time we took the summer off to take a break, organize and rest after a long year of hard work and dedication by our youth and families. 
As the summer started to wind down, youth started to ask when classes were resuming. As we all gathered for the first day back, I witnessed hugs shared, smiles beaming, parents laughing and summer stories being exchanged.  I saw new skirts, polished dancing shoes and dance bags ready to take on the new season. Maestro Zenon Barron  welcomed each student, back and motivated them for the year ahead with a new repertoire of music and choreography. 
Inspiration filled the Ted Acock center as forty students came with the commitment ready to give their all to preserve culture, traditions and the dances of beautiful Mexico. 
Our youth of Tonantzin practice twice a week, learning rigorous dances, memorizing hard rhythmic zapateados and choreography that solidifies their ability to memorize, learn and lead in both academics and cultural arts. 
As I watched all the energy swarm the room, I witnessed one of the most special gifts of ALAS, that of community. I witnessed a room filled with community created by friendship, perseverance, trust, struggle and hard work. The commitment that our families and students give behind the scenes to bring the beautiful dances to life on the stage is exemplary. They give all year long of their time, energy and dedication to dance and inspire the community.. It's pure corazon (heart( that our students and families bring to Tonantzin.. 
Just as much as we needed the break, we all realized that we need each other. 
AlAS is community, Tonantzin, is family. When we dance for the community, we all are connected as one for that moment, for that dance. Welcome back Tonantzin! 

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When we think of leaders, we often wonder what were the teaching moments that shaped  opportunities to grow into leadership. In our own life journeys we can look back and consider those teachers, mentors and family that walked with us along the road to motivate us to make a difference. What I am reminded of daily in our program of ALAS is the wealth of leadership that exists in our youth when given an opportunity to use their natural skills, gifts and character to be that leader. Consistently in our youth of ALAS and beyond, I have found that the most quiet kid is a leader waiting to take his turn to teach. But if he or she has never been given an opportunity, their talent stays hidden, never allowed the opportunity to share all that he or she holds. 

Recently, our youth of ALAS were called on to come out to volunteer at a bimonthly food pantry to support helping our extended family of Pescadero. We were excited to begin bringing a few youth to "help"  out at the food distribution. Responsibilities at the food pantry include greeting the families, assisting in making food bags for the eighty families that arrive, help with vegetables, carry out bags for mothers and the elderly and support those that come to the pantry. Originally, we thought that our youth could help work the vegetable line or take on smaller roles of support. What we found was that our youth came with an enthusiasm to give back in a profound way. They didn't just help, they jumped in with hands and hearts wide open to serve in a way that honored the families with a smile, care and a willingness to serve. 

At first we had about five youth coming and it has grown to eighteen, all calling on their own to check in about being part of the program. Each of them come with an attitude of service and have taken a leadership role to organize the twice a month food pantry. With adult leaders present, the youth have really claimed the pantry as a space for them to give back and serve with a smile. Each family is greeted in Spanish by our youth, inviting them with a smile as they get their groceries for the week. What I see in the eyes of our youth as I observe their enthusiasm is that they recognize  the hard work the families from Pescadero do to support all of us in their jobs. Our youth understand that those coming to the food pantry  work hard and provide for us on the Coast in many ways, through the agricultural jobs that they do day in and day out. One of the younger youth said it best "when I see their hands and how hard they work, it makes me want to give more". 

Our youth are leaders if given opportunities to fly and soar above. We are so proud of our ALAS youth in all ways. They lead in community events, performances, in their neighborhoods, in church, school and beyond. Today they are leading in Pescadero and we couldn't be prouder to see the smile and heart they have to give back and be teachers for us all. In their care, they show respect, in their determination they show dedication, in their leadership they exhibit the heart of social justice.

​Living in the beautiful coastal community of Half Moon Bay we are certainly lucky to pass by the ocean every day. The beauty of nature and the waves of the ocean remind us how connected we are to nature and to one another. When we pause we can hear the drum of those that walked this land before us. The power in the wind echoes the strength and resilience of the indigenous teachers that carried the determination to make community a family.

For us at ALAS, living in Half Moon Bay reminds us of the powerful reality that we all live under the same moon. This reality has inspired our vision to constantly work at serving one another with the vision for equality, advocacy and creating the next generation of leaders through cultural arts, education and our social services project. At Ayudando Latinos A Soñar we believe that every child should be supported by the community with wings to soar to success. We also recognize the natural leadership and cultural wealth that our families’ have. Together with our community of parents, youth, volunteers and ALAS staff we are excited to bring the rich cultural traditions of Mexico and our love of familia to our rural coastal town. Every day we are inspired by our youth, families and community! 

As we all live under the same moon, ALAS is committed to being there to make a difference for our youth and families of our coastal community. We are proud to be the first Latino cultural arts non profit. We are also excited to be advancing the education of our youth, offering free tutoring every week to fifty children determined to move ahead in school. Our support for immigration advocacy and social justice has opened doors for families to move forward. Finally when we see our children dance, sing and perform we are inspired by their natural talents, skills and leadership that keeps our indigenous roots alive in Half Moon Bay.