Today we’d like to introduce you to Emma Hernandez.
Hi Emma, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I grew up in Southeast Los Angeles (SELA) in the 1970s and 1980s. I was the first in my family to graduate from high school and earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree. In high school, I became civically engaged. I learned to collaborate with other students to advocate for more school resources. I volunteered on political campaigns by walking precincts and conducting phone banking. I learned to work on a team to fundraise for school activities. Along the way, I met the man who became my husband, Cesar Zaldivar-Motts. We have been together for 34 years and married for 25. We have 2 amazing daughters, Cristina, who is 17, and Sofia, who is 15.
In 2007, after spending five years in Kansas earning a master’s degree, we returned to SELA. Our goal was to give back to the community that had given us so much. I am the chief executive officer of the Southeast Community Development Corporation, a 501(c)3 that focuses on using technology to provide learning opportunities for our youth, parents, and small business owners. Cesar is the executive director of NewStart Housing Corporation, a 501(c)3 that focuses on providing low-cost housing to under-resourced SELA residents.
I love the work we do and feel privileged to be able to do this work with the help of the many partners in our community.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It certainly hasn’t been a smooth road. As a freshman in college, I flunked out of the University of California, Santa Barbara. I encountered various people in key “mentorship” roles who made it clear that they believed I wasn’t college material. Luckily, I had already encountered many people who thought otherwise, and I had internalized their message. The messages I heard were, “You’re the cream of the crop” and “When you go to college…”
While I was in graduate school, I was expected to provide feedback to my peers on their research projects. When my advisor deemed my idea good, he would comment, “Did you think that up all by yourself?” In fact, he even accused me of having someone else write my thesis! I couldn’t believe it.
I had also experienced child sexual abuse (CSA) as a young child. As a young adult, I was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. I sought mental health services. Unfortunately, it is difficult to find the right counselor and treatment. Eventually, I met an amazing counselor. I had to learn to smile, to allow myself to be loved, and to love myself. CSA doesn’t define me; I survived, and I am thriving.
We’ve been impressed with Southeast Community Development Corporation, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Southeast Community Development Corporation (SCDC) is a nonprofit organization that provides services in Southeast Los Angeles. The included cities include Bell, Bell Gardens, Cudahy, Maywood, South Gate, Huntington Park, Vernon, and Unincorporated Florence-Firestone. We provide services in English and Spanish.
For the past 17 years, SCDC has been working towards closing the digital divide by providing digital literacy classes for youth, senior citizens, parents, and working adults, providing free access to Wi-Fi at our technology centers, assisting Southeast Los Angeles residents with online applications for low-cost Internet subscriptions through internet service providers, and distributing free laptops to K-12 students. We advocate for improved infrastructure by participating in several regional Digital Equity Coalitions and public comments at government meetings focused on rules and regulations concerning digital equity.
The following is a list of programs we administrate.
SELA Youth Trades Program. We are in our 2nd year of the 3-year SELA Youth Trades Program, in which ten will be certified in Carpentry, and ten will be certified in Welding. This program was designed in partnership with Bell High School. Through this program, students take courses in the CTE program at their high school. SCDC provides each student with a free computer and workshops on resume writing, interviewing skills, personal finance, business planning, business accounting, and computer skills such as word processing, spreadsheets, security, and maintenance. We also provide mentorship and assistance in matching students with employment opportunities. We expect to expand this program to include industrial machining, automotive mechanics, and IT technicians.
STEM Youth Program. Students from grades 2nd to 5th grade are offered developmentally appropriate classes in basic electronics, coding, engineering, science, and robotics using project-based learning. Students in grades 6th to 9th are offered developmentally appropriate classes in computer-controlled cutting, podcasting, 3D printing, electronics, coding, engineering, and robotics using project-based learning. We use curriculum developed by Lego Education, Code.org, Make Wonder, TinkerCad, University of Colorado, Harvard University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
First Robotics Competition. Students in grades 6th to 12th are offered developmentally appropriate projects. Students participate in the SELA Robo Warriors, a regional First Robotics Competition (FRC) team. FRC teams compete locally, regionally, state-wide, and nationally. Through this team, students can exercise the skills they have learned. The robotics team is comprised of many subteams of students. The most well-known include the technical subteam, which includes programming, engineering design, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering. However, other lesser-known subteams on a robotics team include recruiters, business and communication, audio/visual, community outreach, and strategy. Students who participate are not necessarily all interested in STEM careers; however, all students benefit from working on a shared vision to support each other in becoming the best team possible. In addition, students on the team are expected to become certified in their area of interest and expertise through SkillsUSA or another certification program. These certifications include 3D printing, basic computer maintenance, coding, screen printing, graphic design, CNC milling and turning, carpentry, audio/radio production, and career readiness.
Regional Computer Labs & Resource Center. SCDC’s classes occur at the regional computer labs and resource center, which are listed below. These centers have been established in partnership with and collaboration with the cities of Bell, Bell Gardens, and Cudahy. In each case, the cities provide office space for a minimal fee or no cost at all. In turn, SCDC has raised funds to equip each center with computers, equipment, and staff to provide services to the SELA community at no cost. At these locations, SCDC provides access to Wi-Fi, Computers, printers, and technology such as computerized cutting machines, 3D printers, Virtual reality equipment, and audio/video equipment. We also provide residents with basic technology issues such as software updates, password lockouts, loading apps, and factory resets.
In the past, we also partnered with nonprofit organizations to set up computer labs for their clients. SCDC raised funds to purchase and set up computers, equipment, and furniture while the partner organization provided the office space and instructors. These locations included: Arbor Workforce Center, Florence-Firestone Chamber, Southeast Service Center, Salvation Army Homeless Shelter, Bell Veterans Park, Bell Youth Center, Human Service Associations, Oldtimers Computer Lab, Bell Computer Center, Lugo Park Employment Center, and Gage Middle School Parent Center,
Current Physical Locations.
Bell Technology Center: 4357 Gage Ave., Bell, CA 9020
Bell Gardens Resource Center, 6423 Florence Pl., Suite 103, Bell Gardens, CA 90201
Southeast Rio Vista YMCA, 4801 E 58th St., Maywood, CA 90270
Mobile Technology Center (MTC). The Mobile Technology Center is a 37-foot long, 14-foot-wide RV, self-contained classroom, with 15 on-board laptop computers, a color laser printer/copier, Wi-Fi service, and a 77-inch Smart Board. This vehicle is environmentally friendly, running on CNG fuel, and equipped with a bio-diesel gas generator. SCDC can deploy the MTC when a classroom space is not available at locations. Schools have sometimes requested STEM classes, and businesses have requested professional development classes for their staff, such as English as a second language, basic digital literacy, and Microsoft Office. We have also deployed the MTC for job fairies at Dodgers Stadium and the Azalea Shopping Centers. Employers interviewed the prospective employees, and prospective employees filled out applications online using laptop computers.
Micro-business consulting programs provide mom-and-pop shops the opportunity to work with a trusted consultant to gain assistance with website design, social media, customer relationship management systems, data analysis, business planning, and marketing plans. We also provide referrals to the Small Business Administration, chambers of commerce, and regional business development organizations.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
The work I do cannot be done alone. It is important to build relationships, work collaboratively, and trust that most people’s intentions are good. We must also be willing to step up to lead when needed and know when it’s time to let others lead.
Pricing:
- We accept donations.
- It costs $45 to sent 1 student to Summer Tech Camp for a day.
- It costs $20 per student for 1 hour of small-group tutoring
- It cost $40 per student to go on a 1-day field trip.
- It cost $640 to sponsor 1 robotics team student per season
Contact Info:
- Website: www.scdcorp.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scdcorp1994
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scdc.org
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/emmahernandez
