I Love My Community: Aurora Santana
Aurora Santana, administrative assistant with the San Joaquin Community Foundation, recently sat down with HERLIFE Magazine to discuss family, her career and involvement in the community.
HLM: How long have you lived here? What do you love most?
AS: I’m from Sonora, California. About nine years ago, I migrated to Stockton for work and love Stockton’s rich history. Once here, I watched PBS programs The Farm Worker Movement, about Cesar Chavez, and Filipino American Farmworkers Fight for Their Rights. I was inspired to learn more about Stockton’s history and took a trip to the Haggin Museum. I also found that Stockton is not only diverse in culture, but in its food, foods I would have never tried. One can have a samosa dipped in your favorite chutneys one day, a bowl of pho another and top it off with a plate of chile verde. It would be wonderful to eat your way through town.
HLM: How is your heart inspired to serve the community?
AS: My heart is inspired by serving the homeless. I spent a year volunteering at St. Mary’s Dining Room, serving coffee to the elderly, and it filled my heart. Bingo days brought out the best in people and we also had so much fun playing music trivia along with just talking. I also enjoyed sharing a meal with guests, as one can learn much from others even if no words are spoken.
HLM: What sparks joy for you?
AS: My joy comes from helping others, whether it’s in my office or out in community. I spent a year volunteering at the American Cancer Society Discovery Thrift Shop. I have lost family members and friends to cancer and felt drawn to volunteer for the cause.
HLM: Outside work, how is your time best spent?
AS: My time is best spent with my three grown children, two grandchildren, my mother, friends and my fur companion, Stitch. I also find joy in gardening and sharing the fruits of my labor. If I’m not with family, you can also find me and Stitch sitting in the sand at Pismo Beach.
HLM: Top three bucket list goals?
AS: I would love to take a road trip along Hwy 101 with Stitch, camping along the way. Hilo, Hawaii is on the list to go and pay respects to my dear friend that passed away from a brain tumor when we were both 24 years old. I want to take a cruise to Alaska or Hawaii.
HLM: What accomplishment are you most proud of?
AS: I am most proud of the fact that as a young mother and wife I was able to finish high school along with graduating from college.
HLM: Can you describe a key event that had an impact on your life?
AS: When I was in my early 20s, a good friend was diagnosed with cancer. I would take her to her treatments and sit with her. Once she started to lose her hair, I helped her by shaving her head. From that experience, I signed up for a CNA class to learn how to properly care for someone. Shortly after she passed, another close friend was diagnosed with a brain tumor. We were 24 years old at the time. From my CNA training I was able to care for her until she passed in 1994. It also inspired me to obtain my First Responder Certificate.
HLM: Do you have a favorite quote?
AS: “When you know better you do better.” This quote has helped me to understand the choices I have made in my younger years raising my children. I did what I knew until I knew better. Now I understand why grandparents are more relaxed with their grandchildren and what a great feeling it is.
HLM: What are you currently reading?
AS: At the moment, I am fascinated with the ancient art of Chinese face reading. I purchased a book called The Wisdom of Your Face by Jean Haner. I was skeptical at first but have found there is a lot of truth to face reading when it comes to the lines that are left on our face from living life.
HLM: Favorite food or dessert?
AS: My favorite food would be my mother’s tacos dorados or Arizona tacos, made from a recipe she learned from her mother. They are my favorite meal when I go to visit my mother, and she makes them with so much love.
