Que Madre Vol. 1 (2019)

!QUE MADRE!

CONT ENTS

03 I AM FROM ...

A collection of poems from young women in the Eastern Coachella Valley. Honest stories of struggle, strength, community, family, love and memories *Be advised: some of these poems may contain sensitive content *

18

AMIGA TO AMIGA

You're not alone Young women in the Eastern Coachella Valley share how they are taking care of their mental health and share their thoughts on the biggest challenges women face in our community

21 IN MY HEAD AND HEART

Determined to end stigmas around mental health, a young artist teamed up with her friend to illustrate her mental health journey.

22

TIPS FOR MANAGING STRESS

Clinicas de Salud del Pueblo offers exercises to practice when you feel stressed or anxious

23 RESOURCES

Connect with service providers and community organizations for more information on mental health resources and support services

I AM FROM

I Am From

By Perla Vargas

I am from white Nikes

From Clorex and Fabuloso

I am from the dark room

Gorgeous, loud, thankful

A collection of poems from young women in the Eastern Coachella Valley Honest stories of struggle, strength, community, family, love and memories.

*Be advised: some of these poems may contain sensitive content *

I am from arbol de limon, juicy limones for our homemade lemonade

I am from carne asada on a Sunday and la pirinola

From Vargas and Grandma

I’m from tortillas a mano and tejiendo

From no te subas ahi and bajale a tu musica

I’m from Catolica

I’m from Michoacan, tamales y coruridas

From the “La Llorona” myth

The tall, short hair

Pictures on the shelf

Somos un en un millon, no ahi porque andar humillando

I Am From

By J.A.

I am from rushed mornings

From Suavitel and Dove

I am from the festival city, Green grass, palm trees, dry

I am from date palm trees, Tall and sweet

I am from heladitos and pelo endulaelo

From Aguilar and Cazares

I’m from the campsites and fiestas

From Pon atencion Julie and Hechale ganas mija

I’m from a Catholic community, loving and caring

I’m from Coachella, cariños de mi nana

El mole y los tamales de elote

From a mother who had to cross the border at the age of 15 to have a better future in the U.S.

The el dolar para el paletero

Moving throughout my high school years

The memories of it will always be with me

I Am From

By Gisselle Castro Lopez

I am from Deleno, being my place of birth

From loud music in the house and tortillas hechas a mano

I am from the oldest sister taking care of my siblings

I am from the beautiful flowers of our garden

I’m from trying to help others when they need help, and getting together to play Loteria

From Victoria Lopez and Arturo Castro

I’m from the carne asada with family

From study and get an education and portate bien en la escuela

I’m from the Catholic religion and trying to go to church more often

I’m from Mecca and tacos and Mexican food, and from everywhere because I’ve moved a lot

From the Grandma and aunts who love me

The protective mother who has always been there for me

I Am From

By Ashley Majano

I am from bushes,

From chanclas and clorox

I am from the house of screams also full of laughs and jokes

I am from the red roses, the roses we would take care of, some beautiful roses

I am from a kind and tamales family

I am from funny siblings and from Ana’s support

I am from the Chocolate Abuelita y de las salidas a Fresno los sabadoes

From the fear of La Llorona and from the “no lo hagas”

I’m from a Catholic family and from lack of money

I’m from Indio and Nayarit

My family can be represented by tacos, and pupusas

From the “si no te duermes te va comer el cucuy”

De una familia sin verguenza

De una familia que les encanta tomar fotos

De una familia que sino cuidas o respetas a alguien te dicen “esperate llegando a la casa y te va ir mal”

I Am From

By Ashley Haro

I am from una herradura

From miel de abeja and espanta mayates

I am from naturaleza

Pobreza, trabajadores, el olor a cafe colado

I am from hierba del manso

La hierba que según mi abuela cura toda herida

I’m from Domingos familiares and gritos

From Aida and Lorenzo

I’m from the pasar tardes en caballo and carne asada

From no sabes hacer nada and estorbo

I’m Catolicos

I’m from Sonora and Mexicali

Menudo y tamales

From una demanda y problemas de madre e hija

The abusos, golpes, y psicologos

Huepari el único lugar que me hace sentir libre y en paz

I Am From

By Anonymous

I am from botas

From Clorox and Zote

I am from the Valley

Poor, hot campos

I am from roses

Grow, white, pure

I am from trying and accomplishing

From Gina and Gildo

I’m from the selling of tamales and dancing zapateados

From “no” and tu puedes

I’m from Catholic, not going to church but believing

I’m from Indio and Guerrero

Frijoles and tortillas

From the family dangers

The pan dulce of abuelitas

Pictures hanging around the house

The joyas from abuela

I Am From

By Ashley Haro

I am from una herradura

From miel de abeja and espanta mayates

I am from naturaleza

Pobreza, trabajadores, el olor a cafe colado

I am from hierba del manso

La hierba que según mi abuela cura toda herida

I’m from Domingos familiares and gritos

From Aida and Lorenzo

I’m from the pasar tardes en caballo and carne asada

From no sabes hacer nada and estorbo

I’m Catolicos

I’m from Sonora and Mexicali

Menudo y tamales

From una demanda y problemas de madre e hija

The abusos, golpes, y psicologos

Huepari el único lugar que me hace sentir libre y en paz

I Am From

By Jackie Diaz

I am from gangs

From fancy diners and Barbies

I am from the broken home

Wealthy, poor, traveling

I am from nopales

Greens and browns

I am from brown eyes and tamales

From Doña Chayo and Rositas

I’m from the frijoles and tortillas a mano

From “no te metas en sus negocios” and “nos vamos a mudar”

I’m from Catholic churches, nice and tall

I’m from Arizona and Jalisco

Huesitos

From the singing of gallos

The smart one, the one making my family move up

I Am From

By

Anonymous

I am from palm trees

From Chocolate Abuelita and Ajax

I am from the old-looking, tiny, messy, unorganized house

I am from dates; they look like big raisins, wrinkly and sweet

I’m from tamale making on Christmas and making a big deal at a 15

From Martha and Roberto

I’m from the fighting and forgiving

From el diablo te va jalar las patas and si te portas mal Santa no te va a traer nada

I’m from low tolerance, being really impatient

I’m from a Mexican family, born in Indio

From tamales and pozole

From a loving and caring mom, from a funny and sometimes goofy dad

All of our walls are covered with family photos

Everything has a story behind it, doesn’t matter how big or how pricey it is

I Am From

By

Anonymous

I am from catching ladybugs in the fields

From Fabuloso and Tapatio

I am from the small, squeling, disorganized, clutter

I am from margaritas, bright yellow

I am from making tamales and brown hair

From Lorena and Oscar

I’m from getting mad at each other in every family reunion and staying mad at each other

From the Llorona will get you if you don’t sleep and ponte trucha

I am from not being able to say no

I am from Indio, and ancestry from Mexico

From Chocolate Abuelita

From a loving caring dad

The great advice of a loving mom

Photos kept hung on wall captured on phone and put away

Family items are supposed to be treasured to save memories

I Am From

By Anonymous

I am from zapatos negros

From Pinol and Suavitel

Brown, humid, hot

I am from jasmine as white as paper

I am from piel morena and eating tortillas hechas a mano

From Consuelo and Andres

I’m from the yelling and crying

From que quieres and dime lo que sientes

I’m from a Catholic family, but stopped going to church at the age of 13

I’m from the Coachella Valley and frijoles

From the antes yo apenas tenia para comer

The dark brown eyes, el centro de la mesa That make me who I am

I Am From

By Anonymous

I am from barbed wires

From straight jackets and princess castles

I am from the mental institution dog house

Chihuahuas shaking from anxiety, huskies crying from depression, and pitbulls growing putting on their second face

I am from cactus,

See what you want but do not touch

I’m from curly hair and unsentimental emotion

From Magdalena and a man’s name, forbidden to speak

I’m from the alcoholic and drug abuse

From a mistake and unwanted

I’m from unworthy, Catholic

I’m from Michoacan and Indio

Alcohol

From the Triple A

The abaninor, burned baby pictures

I Am From

By Anonymous

I am from las palmas

From Zote and Foca

I am from arena suelta

Con muchos files y orange bushes

I am from nopales, Very green and picudos

I’m from intense family gatherings and soccer games

From Francisco and Hesus

I’m from strong pats on the back, and cheek kisses

From el chango and adios

I’m from the catolicas

I’m from Guadalajara y Michoacán

Alambre

From the accident in Arizona

The crossing of the border

From the picture en el pasillo

Because tienen historia

I Am From

By Anonymous

I am from iced coffee

From leche and caramelo

I am from the casa con el porton azul

Nopales, flores, y un arbol grande

I am from los pinos

Un ranchito en Irapuato

I Am From

By Anonymous

I am las viñas de uva

From Suavitel and Clorox

I am from the street donde se juntan muchos carros y demasiadas niñas

I am from aloe vera

Muy grandes and green

I am from soccer games

From Flores and Moreno

I’m from the ya no te salgas and llevale esto a la vecina

I’m from Dios guarde y que Dios te acompañe

I’m from la ciudad bonita de Guanajuato

From the screams of la llorona en la madrugada

The tomale foto a tu papa

I Am From

By Siclaly Cortez

I am from the night

From the darkness and the shadows

I am from the nightmares

Struggles, been through something, haunted

I am from no where. Without a label

I am from nothing and everything

From above and below

I’m from Neverland and lost

From infinity and beyond

I’m from my mom, a silent warrior

I’m from a toxic marriage

From the curses and the blessings

The intoxicated blood runs through my veins.

I am the product of a broken relationship

I Am From

By Paulina Rojas

I’m from a blank page

From jabon de cuaba y mistolin

I’m from the warm womb that carried me across the Atlantic in search of a better life

I'm from sugar cane and fresh coconut water

I'm from the hot tropical sun kissing my skin

I’m from humidity and frizzy hair

I’m from brutal New York winters

I’m from my fathers permanent absence

I’m from are you really Dominican

I’m from no we are not angry thats just how we talk

From Ingrid, Marcia, Kira and Valerie

From women with fire in their veins

I’m from working hard and saving un dinerito because you never know

I’m from laughter, tears, hugs during my college graduation

I’m from the te quieros at the end of phone calls

From the little hotel soaps in my purse

I’m from tostones y yuca frita

Y una taza de cafe después de comida

I’m from the hopes, the dreams that mean everything.

From getting older and dainty tattoos

I’m from un merengue bien sabroso

I’m from colonization and privilege

I’m from light, wind, seeds and fire

I’m everything, everything that ever was

Soy de todo lo que es y soy de todo lo que sera

I Am From

Fatima Ramirez

I am from the little yellow house

From store brand cereal and cherry flavored popsicles

I am from sheets drying on the clothesline in the backyard The sun making them warm in a way enviable to the dryer in the garage

I am from cacti, reserving for droughts

I am from furrowed eyebrows & summer dinners in the patio

From Eloisa and Ana

I'm from my father's impromptu road trips and my mother's calculating budgets

From "it's ok to dream" and "but more important to have a future"

I'm from church only at Christmas and Catholic guilt always

I'm from Michoacån and Monarch butterflies

From the threats my teenage sisters would make about running away and growing up to make my own

The finger my little brother broke and failed to keep it a secret from my parents

The empty photo albums and the scattering of photos around the house, hidden for you to find like the world's worst treasure hunter

Delight in remembering things that happened so long ago it doesn't feel like they happened to you anymore

I Am From

By Dalia Rangel Perez

I am from teclas viejas, negras y blancas

From Pearl and Pinol

I am from the humid air that is lifted as the cooler surrounds us with the scent of lluvia fresca

I am from Las Dalias y la llerva buena, las rosas, and the poppies that struggle to survive in my mother’s jardin

I’m from chubby cheeks and musica casera

From Perez and Rojas

I’m from the empty beer botltes and botellas de tequila que simpre hacen su que hacer

From gorda, grenuda and chata

I’m from want-to-be Catholics that gave birth to an atheist

I’m from el bello monto rojo, blanco y verde, tamales de carne y nopales viscosos

From the crybaby who wants to be strong: el viejo; short tempered

The negra that hides her pain

“Se va acabar el mundo” that hugged me and hit me and made me smile and make me cry and gave me tender, violent love

I Am From

By Esperanza Mendez

I am from tenis negros

From Cheerios and Johnson’s baby lotion

I am from the peeling silver sequoia out front

I am from palmas

Waving up to the sky lazily

I'm from rounds of lotería played using uncooked frijoles as markers, plate late at night

I’m from deep set ojos Indios

From Esperanza’s and Agustines

I'm from nervous energy and determination

From Remember you’re the oldest, Tita and No, we don’t do that in this house

I'm from sometimes-Catholic, always repenting parents.

I'm from Riverside and Mexico and the Eastern Coachella Valley.

Frijoles bien calientitos; hamburguesas que acabe de hacer tu papá

From the my great, great abuelita Julia who dressed in men’s clothes to escape her town.

Ese lunar que tenemos.

I’m from an over-crowded mantle above the fireplace, pictures pushing their way through for attention

I’m from stories told time and time again, also pushing their way though they, too, were new

I Am From

By Ximena

Mendez, age 3, as dictated to her mom, Esperanza

I am from maple syrup

I am from the trash can and the escoba

I am from lots of toys

From polka dots and stripes, the smell of strawberries, and loudness

I am from a big tall plant standing next to our window

I am from brown skin and long hair

I am from Ximena and Esperanza

I am from working and playing together

I’m from clean up! and do your chores!

I’m from Misa

I’m from the state of California Adventures

From going to the Living Desert

From my viejita Ta

From pictures up in the wall in my room

Because we need to remember

I Am From

By Wendy Pacheco

I am from fresas con crema

From Fabuloso and Suavitel

I’m from the case del centro

Con palmas, jardin, gran parton negro

I am from los rosales

Que florecen con la calidad de cuidado que les de

I’m from alegria and apoyo

From Celia and hija te hice de comer

I’m from the bailes and posadas

From algun dia seras alguien and siempre te cuidare desde el cielo

I’m from Domingo de misa, Dios siempre nos protege

I’m from Guanajuato, Mole recién salido de la hoya

From the algun dia nos volveremos a ver La foto del recuerdo

Que abundan en las paredes

Para recordar a nuestros seres queridos

I Am From

By Amber Amaya

I am from my books

From pan dulce y cafecito

I am from the home on Shadow Avenue

The bittersweet taste of grapefruit, a tree swing in the front yard, wrapped in yerba buena

I am from desert wildflowers

Resourceful, resilient, with deep roots in the earth

From corajuda and tamales in December

From Amaya and Laura

From the way we clap when we laugh and the way we make our own kind of family

From the “stop crying” and the “que bien”

I’m from count your blessings and my Nana’s bedside prayers

I’m from the Eastern Coachella Valley, chicken tacos and my Tata’s frijoles

From the way my mom raised me and the way her mom raised her

From family photo albums and my great-grandmother’s gold ring

Carrying where I come from with me wherever I am going

ILLUSTRATION BY JACQULINE GARCIA

A SELFLESS ACT

By Adriana Torres

To love oneself is not selfish

A selfless act that takes time and persistence

An action that can’t be defined by another’s words That loving oath and devote Is not self drain

To love oneself is as good as it gets I’ve come to believe that loving myself Is loving everything else a little bit more You learn to love, fall in love, and fall out of love But behind every successful lover’s love is an incentive love for one’s own being

A special type of beauty is presented when one’s vulnerability is displayed And no your vulnerability doesn’t equal weakness

Or anything to be ashamed of Ignorance with those that view your self care as childish and foolish

So grab that facemask

Get them nail done

put on that glowy sun-kissed highlighter of yours

And run out the door with your favorite flowy red dress

Treat yourself and love every bit of it

Because you're worth it and completely deserving

ILLUSTRATION BY JACQULINE GARCIA

A FLORAL PERSONALITY

By Adriana Torres

Finding beauty and peace

A feeling of bliss and content

Through lilies of the valley

One can only feel for oneself

I. myself a strong carnation

A lavender who heals and empathizes Do I leap through the clouds like the birds of paradise

Bringing joy to those I meet Or could I be the dancing flamingos

A laceleaf

The life of the party

Yea yea you’re right, I’m strong and sophisticated

Like a rose, but don’t test me Or you’ll get my thorns

Y’all can say I'm a passiflora

High maintenance and complicated

But really i’m a sunflower lost in the dust

Whatever I be My beauty and kindness gems through

AMIGA TO AMIGA

You're not alone. Young women in the Eastern Coachella Valley share how they are taking care of their mental health and share their thoughts on the biggest challenges women face in our community.

IN MY HEAD AND HEART

ART BY JOCELYNNE GARCIA

STORY BY F . E .

"I chose those images because those are the things in my head and heart. The good things, such as sunflowers, and walks on the beach, are the little things that complete me. They make me the strong charactered person that I am.

Those negative things are the scars of my mental health. I've been dragged around before but now I'm learning to love myself and who I am."

TIPS FOR MANAGING STRESS

1

BREATHE SLOWLY

When you're feeling anxious, your breathing and heart rate might get faster

Try taking a slow breath through your nose then breath out slowly through your mouth

Repeat this exercise until you begin to feel the anxiety lessen.

2 3 4

RELAX YOUR MUSCLES

Relaxing your muscles can help reduce anxiety levels. When you become anxious or stressed, your muscles can start to tighten or become tense.

Start by focusing on your breathing Try squeezing your hand in a fist for a couple of seconds then release Slowly open your fist

Try also relaxing your neck and shoulders , another area that tends to carry stress.

BE PRESENT

Being mindful and present can help reduce stress by calming your mind and any anxious thoughts about the past or future.

Start by focusing on your breathing Try focusing all your attention on the present moment

It's ok to become distracted but try gently bringing your attention back to the moment in front of you.

VISUALIZE

Find your "happy place" by creating a mental picture that helps calm your brain and body

Try thinking about how that place would feel, sound or smell. Focus on your breathing and enjoy your calm and peaceful space.

Our friends at Clinicas de Salud del Pueblo recommend these four exercises for when you start to feel anxious

These exercises help recognize your body's physical responses to anxiety and stress. These quick tips will help you to relax and reduce stress

*If anxiety regularly disrupts your days and overall mood, reach out to a mental health expert for support. See our resource guide to connect with local experts *

1

RESPIRA LENTAMENTE

Cuando te sientes ansioso/a, tu respiración y ritmo cardíaco pueden acelerarse Trata de respirar lentamente a través de tu nariz luego exhale lentamente a través de su boca

Repite este ejercicio hasta que empieces a sentir la ansiedad disminuir.

2 3 4

RELAJA LOS MUSCULOS

Relajar los músculos puede ayudar a reducir niveles de ansiedad Cuando te pones ansioso o estresado, tus músculos pueden comenzar a apretar o ponerse tensos.

Comience centrándose en su respiración apretando la mano en un puño por unos segundos y luego suelto Abra lentamente su puño

Intente también relajar el cuello y los hombros También relaje otras área que tienden a llevar el estrés.

ENFÓQUESE EN EL MOMENTO

Estar consciente y presente puede ayudar a reducir estrés al calmar tu mente y cualquier pensamientos ansiosos sobre el pasado o el futuro.

Comience centrándose en su respiración Trata de centrar toda tu atención en el momento presente

Está bien distraerse pero intente con cuidado trayendo su atención de nuevo al momento actual

VISUALIZAR

Encuentre su "lugar feliz" creando una imagen mental que ayude a calmar su cerebro y cuerpo Intenta pensar en cómo se sentiría, oiría o olera ese lugar. Concéntrese en su respiración y disfrute de su espacio tranquilo y calmado.

RESOURCE GUIDE

Connect with the service providers and community organizations below for more information on mental health resources and support services.

CLINICAS DE SALUD DEL PUEBLO

CDSDP's goal is to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve through providing access to excellent care, available to all CDSDP offers behavioral health services including counseling, referrals to psychiatric services and youth services

Phone: (760) 396-1249

Website: cdsdp org

Address:

Mecca Clinic 91275 66th Avenue, Suite 500 Mecca, CA 92254

Coachella Clinic 50249 Cesar Chavez Street, Unit K Coachella, CA 92236

THE LGBT COMMUNITY CENTER OF THE DESERT

The Center creates a vibrant community by helping LGBTQ people along their way The Center offers programming like youth suicide prevention & anti-bullying program and peer support groups

Phone: (760)416-7790

Website: thecenterps org

Address: 1301 North Palm Canyon Dr, 3rd Floor Palm Springs, CA 92262

RIVERSIDE LATINO COMISSION

The mission of the Riverside Latino Commission is to provide programs and services for those in our community who are facing problems of substance abuse and/or problems with mental health issues

Phone: (760) 398-9000

Website: latinocommission com

Address: 1612 First Street Coachella, CA 92236

RIVERSIDE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH & BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

The Child/Adolescent Clinic provides individual family and group services as well as an intensive after school program Services can include assessments, urgent mental health care and referrals to mental health and/or substance abuse treatment services

Phone: (760) 863-8455

Website: rcdmh.org

Address: 47825 Oasis St, Indio, CA 92201

PLANNED PARENTHOOD

Planned Parenthood is one of the nation’s leading providers of high-quality, affordable health care, and the nation’s largest provider of sex education With or without insurance, you can always come to us for your health care Most birth control, annual exams, HIV testing, and STD testing will be covered for free, with no copay

Phone: (888) 743-7526

Website: plannedparenthood org

Address: 49-111 California 111 #6A Coachella, CA 92236

NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE

The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals Support available in Español and for those who are deaf or hard of hearing

Phone: 1-800-273-8255

Website: suicidepreventionlifeline org

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATIONS

Contact ¡Que Madre! Staff: Paulina Rojas, Program Coordinator

Email: projas@yli org

Youth Opportunities Available for Summer 2019: stipends community service authorship on publications skills building

¡Que Madre! Media Collective (@quemadremedia)

¡Que Madre! is a collective of women of color in the Eastern Coachella Valley (ECV) creating and cultivating stories from our community

In 2018, ¡Que Madre! was launched as a pilot program of Coachella Unincorporated, the first and only youth media program based in the Eastern Coachella Valley ¡Que Madre! is dedicated to supporting young women, ages 15-25, in the ECV to develop storytelling and leadership skills.

We believe in the power of storytelling to uplift our communities.

As of October 2018, Coachella Unincorporated and ¡Que Madre! are both programs of Youth Leadership Institute, an organization dedicated to helping young people realize their power by learning to use their voices to create meaningful change.

¡Que Madre! is supported by funding from The California Endowment and the Regional Access Project Foundation

Mental Health Focus

Young people engaged in ¡Que Madre! are focusing their efforts on destigmatizing mental health issues in in the ECV through storytelling

One of the largest and most serious challenges young women in the Eastern Coachella Valley face is finding a safe place to freely and openly discuss their mental health concerns

In ¡Que Madre!, young women receive the support and skills needed to share their own stories and to connect with service providers and local organizations.

Youth Leadership Institute (@ylinstitute) yli org

Young people – particularly youth of color and their allies – are deeply motivated to address inequities in their communities At Youth Leadership Institute, young people realize their power by learning to use their voices to create meaningful change

Change happens when conversations take place At Youth Leadership Institute, we believe that conversations of real significance only occur when all voices are heard And we’re here to ensure that youth voice is heard Loud and clear

SUPPORT FOR THIS PROGRAM FROM:

VULNERABILITY