damian trujillo: hello and welcome to "comunidad del valle." i'm damian trujillo, and today, some powerful latina entrepreneurs, plus the power of education on your "comunidad del valle." male announcer: nbc bay area presents "comunidad del valle" with damian trujillo. damian: we begin today with an opportunity to earn your high school diploma if you were not able to do so. we're here on "comunidad del valle" with john gundry, the superintendent of the santa clara county office of education, and gerry lopez is the principal of opportunity youth academy here in the south bay. welcome to the show. gerry lopez: good to be here. john gundry: thank you. damian: all right, tell us first of all about the opportunity youth academy and who it helps. gerry: the opportunity youth academy, oya, is a re-engagement program that services students from 16 to 24 who, for whatever reason, didn't complete their diploma. and so we have four locations throughout santa clara,

and we are reaching out to them. and we've had a great response to this effort. damian: we do have video that y'all provided us on the groundbreaking. i think this is the gilroy office--or the ribbon cutting of the gilroy office. mr. gundry, the importance, if you will. describe the importance of such an opportunity for those in this area. john: yeah, a lot of people don't know what the county office of education is, but we're really here to help many of the neediest kids and families in the county. and we saw, because we know that there are almost between 5,000 and 6,000 students, young people, who have dropped out of high school, who are not working or in the military, who really are sitting home with very few options. so, we saw this as an opportunity to step in and do something about this problem, and reengage as many of those young people as we can in order to give them an opportunity to be successful in school and in career. damian: i mean, we always talk about we have to do something about the dropout rate. this is doing something about that dropout rate and taking care of those folks.

john: right, we're actually recovering kids who dropped out of our k-12 system, and many of them have been out of the system for a while, because we take young people up to age 25. damian: and what--rigorous? talk about what they have to go through and how long will it take them to actually walk the stage, if you will. gerry: we meet all the criteria for the graduation requirements set up by the cde, the california department of education, so we don't provide a watered down program. what we do is we have a blended style of teaching that incorporates online credit accrual, one-on-one teacher dynamic, small group attention. we start off, just like any other site, with assessment, academic assessment, to see where their level is, and then we establish this individualized plan for them to start accruing or recovering their units. we also have the other level of re-engagement, which beyond the academic, really engages them in their life planning and their future career pathways.

whether it be additional studies, or establishing a work link at that point, or perhaps going into the military, it really depends on the student's interests and capacities. damian: it sounds like the message to them is it's not too late. it's never too late. john: that's right. that's right. and we think this is something that's good for our entire community because, you know, we don't really know what these young people would do if they don't have another option. damian: and i mean, they're coming now--the program is in its infancy, but they're coming now at one point. at what point do we get to see the fruits of your labor, if you will? gerry: well, we've been at this for 7 months, and it's going quite well. we have three sites operating, one more scheduled in the milpitas area within the next week or two. and some of our--two of our programs, the hub over on east san jose and then the downtown site over at washington youth center, is almost at capacity.

damian: wow. gerry: each of our teachers can handle about 38 students, and so those two sites are almost full. gilroy is coming up quickly also. we have a very good relationship with that district. so, milpitas offers that ability to grow for the santa clara population, milpitas, and east side populations. and they are coming out. they're responding quite nicely. damian: that's good to hear. well, if you think you might be able to take advantage of this opportunity, it's through the santa clara county office of education. the web address we'll show you in our next segment, but the santa clara county office of education is there to provide you more information on this opportunity youth academy out of santa clara county. we'll be back with more. stay with us. [music]

why let someone else have all the fun? the sometimes haphazard, never boring fun. the why can't it smell like this all the time fun. the learning the virtue of sharing fun. why let someone else have all the fun? that's no fun. unleash the power of dough. give it a pop. talking about the opportunity youth academy. so, the issue is the dropout rate, obviously, and so i'm assuming that that's being addressed at the school district

level to make sure that we don't have those 5,000 students over the years who are not finishing their high school diploma. john: yeah, the school districts are really the front lines for addressing the high school dropout issue, but what we do at the county office of education is assist the school districts in dealing with some of their most at-risk kids. we have alternative education programs that we've run for decades, but this is something new that we're getting into, dealing with kids who have already dropped out of the system to reengage them in education so that they can get their high school diploma. damian: i see, and you're dealing-- you're on the front lines. you're dealing with these students. what do they tell you as far as why they were not able to complete their secondary education? gerry: there's a number of reasons why students don't graduate. we have some definite populations. in some of our centers, we cater to more of a foster youth group, a justice engaged group. at gilroy we have just this group identified of young mothers. so, there's any number of reasons.

for whatever reason, either they reacted to the school setting or the school setting reacted to them, and they really see this as an alternative to alternative education. many of them have gone through our programs with the county, and because of that, we have either information or data on them. and it's just good to see them come to us, that they realize there is another step. going through a district or even the county services is not the last step in attempting to get my diploma. damian: so, there's no more high school exit exam, but they go through the rigors of math, and science, and everything else that they would normally. gerry: exactly. we adhere to the same credit criteria that the county has, which is what most of the districts have also. damian: and is it 5 days a week when they go to these centers, or how does that work? gerry: we--it depends on the student. we do operate as a blended program, and so it incorporates, oh my goodness, just about whatever the student needs. if they do better with online credit accrual and recovery, they do that. many of our students come in with a very decided low mark on

their assessment intake, and so we provide small group instruction, one-on-one instruction. we do follow an independent study attendance criteria compliance model, and so if they can work on their own, they're working on their own. we check with them, e-mails, voicemails, texts, "how are you doing?", and then they come and check with us their progress throughout the week. damian: and it's very cost-friendly, mr. gundry, to the folks. john: well, actually, yeah, it's very cost-friendly to the students. the program is free of charge. and it's not cost neutral to us, but we think that this is very important work. damian: i was gonna say, what does that say about your office, the fact that you're willing to invest, if you will, in that effort. john: yeah, we believe in investing in kids in our community. and you know, as long as we can afford to run these programs, we will. we are looking--the costs are significant for this program, so we are looking for ways to fund it so that we can ensure that it continues well into the future. damian: again, it's been on 8 months, i think you said. and looking back on those 8 months, are you thinking this was a worthwhile investment?

john: i would say absolutely. if you come down and visit what we're doing, it's really exciting to see kids, you know, who have reengaged with the system and are excited about their own future. you know, talking to some of them individually might really be worth your time because they--each one has a compelling story. damian: we will have to do that. you'll have to bring someone back and have 'em do that for us. so, i would imagine that a lot of them see this as their second, maybe their last--maybe third, but last chance to really get things squared away. so, that tells me they're going to be serious about those studies that they're undertaking. gerry: very much so. there's a level of self-motivation when they walk through our doors. and we've had cases where a father has shown up, he's 20-21, and he says, "i just had a child. i can't--i don't wanna see the day where my child says, 'dad, how come you don't have a diploma?'" so, that's his impetus. we've had a young lady who walked through our doors, and as soon as she signed up, she started crying, and she said, "i have to call somebody, 'cause i gotta let 'em know i'm back on. i wanna get my diploma."

so, there is that level and that joy that we have in building those relationships with our students. damian: i don't know if you touched on this, but what's the timeframe again before they're able to-- i guess it depends on how much they completed, right? gerry: exactly. we have students that come to us with 5 credits to go, with 12 credits to go, and some that they have 10 credits to their name. and so, we give 'em-- we do a credit analysis, and then we give them an idea. if you invest this time and this effort, this is what we're looking as far as your graduation. damian: and they're recent dropouts, right, because you have an age limit here that you're able to help? gerry: sixteen to twenty-four, so we technically could have people who've been out of school for four or five years, and then they come back and reengage with us. damian: the fact that there's a milpitas branch possibly, i mean, that, i guess, underscores the success of the program so far. john: right, and we have two more locations that we're planning right now, but we're holding off for the time being. we don't want to expand too fast because it is a very expensive program for us to operate, and so we're doing some strategic planning to figure out how we're gonna fund this into the future, but the need is tremendous.

we're just barely scratching the surface in meeting the need across the county. damian: your vision, sir, for your office and for this county in general? you're not that new to this area, but you're relatively new in that position. john: you probably need more time to talk to me about that, because-- damian: we'll have to bring you back. john: yeah. we have, you know, our fingers in a lot pies at the county office of education, and we provide services to students who, you know, who have specific needs. special education students, migrant ed students, foster youth, students who've been incarcerated. but we also--we can work in adult ed if we choose. we have a lot of things we are required to do and other things that we do because we believe it's important. this is one of the latter, where we are not obligated to provide these services, but because we deal with many of the most at-risk kids and families, we saw this need in the community and decided that we needed to do something about it. especially since our alternative education programs are shrinking because the districts are choosing to keep those students

and serve them themselves, so we're looking for another opportunity where we can fill a need in the county, and that would be with kids who have left the districts, have dropped out, and so we're going out in the community to find them and bring them back. damian: all right, well, it's an opportunity for you all to go back and earn that high school diploma that may have evaded you over the years. and if you'd like to log on for information, we do have that web address for the santa clara county office of education. there's also that phone number right there on your screen. it's called the opportunity youth academy. thank you so much for the work that y'all are doing in this community. both: thank you. damian: all right, then up next here on "comunidad del valle," some powerful latina entrepreneurs, stay with us.

in this country. we're talking about latina entrepreneurs. with me now on "comunidad del valle" are two of them. jaqueline cisneros is with atoyak incorporated and fausta franco-guerrero is founder of fathia--fathia? fausta franco-guerrero: fathia vineyards. damian: fathia vineyards here on the north coast.

welcome to the show. both: thank you. damian: now, we're talking-- tell us how you define the power of the latina entrepreneur and where do you think that fits right now in the global economy, if you will? jaqueline cisernos: well, right now, women in today's society are becoming very--they're very dedicated, very strong women. they are becoming leaders, entrepreneurs. they're definitely shaping the future of the women that are following us, or generations behind us. and not only here in the united states, but also globally. women are definitely taking a stand to improve the future of other women. damian: do you think there's added pressure being a latina entrepreneur because you're a latina entrepreneur? fausta: i really don't think so. i don't think there's that pressure, but i think there's a little bit of struggles out there.

but when you find the correct people, there's a lot of supporters because you are a woman, you're a latina, and you're willing to show the other generation that whatever you like to do, you could. damian: and you're marketing a global product. we're talking about wine. fausta: exactly. [laughing] damian: tell us about your company and how you've got to the success that you've gotten. fausta: well, we started as a hobby, and i grew up in a vineyard. my father has been working in the vineyard--my goodness, vineyards for 40 years, and my memories that i have have been in the vineyard. watching him pick grapes, from working in the fields, and then moving on to the winery. and for me, it was those memories that brought me to where i'm at right now. and when i was going to school, i didn't see

a lot of females involved. and back around the '90s, i started noticing more people-- more females being involved, and then i thought, "well, i can do this too." and then, it just gave me a push to continue my little hobby that i have right now. damian: and someone once said that who knows more about wine-making than those who work the land itself, right? fausta: absolutely. damian: all right. well, good, i'm happy for your success. what about atoyak? tell us about your company. jaqueline: so, atoyak is a company designed to empower women and financial need in small towns of mexico, and we're also working with women in peru. so, we're really trying to provide a place where these women have a shot at opportunity, opportunity that is just unfortunately in some of these rural towns in mexico are not very available-- much available. damian: oh, very interesting. now, pretend you're talking at a career day

and there's a bunch of 5th grade latinas. what would you tell them about empowering them and helping them grab that vision that you had at one point? fausta: well, i would--what i would say to them is to follow your dreams, that no matter how far they seem, just follow your dreams because you can say later on, "i tried and i succeeded," which is something i tell myself, or, "i tried and i didn't make it, but at least i tried." and there's no, how do you say it, "i should have." so, this will help you succeed what you want to do, and i'm actually doing this job to show my children that i am following my dreams and we'll see where it's gonna take me. damian: right now, wine drinking is a hobby of mine, so we have something in common there. what about you? i mean, i know that you've probably done this before when you speak to a lot of young latinas about what they envision

themselves doing one day. jaqueline: i would say, definitely, "follow your dreams" is a huge one i think. we need to remind ourselves to--we need to dream, keep dreaming, don't stop dreaming. but also, don't give up. you know, life sometimes can be challenging, especially when you're pursuing your dream. the path to your dream can be really--can be complicated, but just because you find some barriers along the way, don't get discouraged. don't give up. keep going. keep pursuing that dream. some things will come up and that will make it easier. damian: do you think there's an added prestige knowing that you have your company and the folks who you are trying to empower and help with your own company? i mean, there's gotta be--you have to sleep well at night knowing that you're doing that. jaqueline: yeah, i mean, it's-- yeah, well, i have nights where i don't sleep well at night.

yeah, because, yeah, it sounds great, you know, i'm definitely trying to empower these woman, but like i said, it's also--it's something that began as a dream, and as i pursue that dream, i came to realize there's a business side to your passion. and that business side is a reality that nobody really tells you because it's not something that just comes up, but something that you experience as you're pursuing your dream. and that's why i say, like, don't give up, you know? yeah, we've had some ups and downs, but you know, here we are trying to make this work 'cause we really wanna help make a difference in these women's lives. and i think with perseverance, with dedication, with support from other women and some other people, friends and family, we're getting there. and thank you for having us today 'cause i think this is also helping. fausta: exactly, thank you. damian: it's very empowering to a lot of people, so thank you all for what you're doing

and for sharing your stories with us. there are their websites on your screen. atoyak and fathia vineyards out of the north coast. log on and find out more about their companies. thank you so much and good luck. both: thank you. damian: and up next here on "comunidad del valle," "the vagina monologues" returns in español. stay with us.

again, here on "comunidad del valle," my friend eliana lópez is back as the-- well, the jack of all trades, artistic director y todo, the actress of "the vagina monologues." welcome back to the show. eliana lópez: thank you, damian. thank you, a pleasure. damian: so, you're bringing it back in spanish to the bay area. eliana: yes, we are. we start this dream, like, in 2014 when i start producing "vagina monologues." that was my first production, and i was also performing. but this time, after producing "what is the scandal," this time we are working with local talent, because what we realized is that we have a lot of talent here,

and a lot of things to do here, and a lot of audience that was--in 2014 when we first made "vagina monologues" in spanish, we were like, "people is going to come?" and yes, they came. people came from sacramento, vallejo, antioch. it was fantastic. so, this time, we are going to be back in the victoria theatre, but now with kira villanova and fabiola kramsky. so, i am very excited that this is going to be very, very fun. damian: so, those who have not been to or don't know what "vagina monologues" is, what is it and what do you want folks at home or folks who come to see you at the theatre to take home? eliana: you know, this year is the 20th anniversary of "vagina monologues." the first time was in new york when eve ensler started this project, and it's based on interviews of women from different ages, from a little girl until a woman 72 years old.

so, it's, like, more than 200 interviews, and she select the most important. and for me, in 2014, i'm coming from venezuela, and all of us that travel or go to theatre in mexico, in argentina, in caracas, in colombia, "vagina monologues," i saw it when i was a little girl. they were already producing it. but here in san francisco, in the bay area, it's just a few people that have been trying to promote "vagina monologues" in spanish, and i think it's important because what i found out was that now, 20 years later, in the latino community, we are facing the same taboos that eve ensler faced 20 years ago. damian: that's interesting. eliana: so, that means that our community in spanish need to be exposed to this show. and it's--when i finally saw it and when i performed,

i realized how powerful it is and why it has been so successful all around the world. this is a show that everybody produce, so we have the opportunity to see it in spanish here, and with this very talented--i'm so proud to be with fabiola and kira. and we have been rehearsing, and it has been a lot of fun. damian: very talented, familiar faces from the bay area. eliana: and they are very strong women, so we're going to see, on the stage, we are going to laugh, we are going to think, and we are going to enjoy these powerful women on the stage talking about their vaginas and their experiences. damian: what does it say about the power of the spanish-speaking community to have attended this in the past and to compel you, "okay, we have to bring it back"? eliana: yes, it was very successful in 2014 when we first produce it, and we had, like-- at the beginning we thought, well, maybe 200 people will come, and they came out

more than 900 people in a weekend. and all of them asked, "please bring it back." and fabiola and kira, they already did it in english, but we need it in spanish and it's so much powerful, and it's so much fun because it's really-- when we were doing it, the people was laughing hysterically. also, because we are talking about things that we never talk about, not even with your mom, with your sister, maybe with some friends. but they are things that we don't talk about very often. and the funny thing that time was that men were the one who came to the theater, saw the poster, bought tickets, and brought their moms, their wife, their daughters. and for me, was a powerful message how we are sending this, talking about this, and it's the men are receiving, and learning,

and understanding while you are laughing. and sometimes you cry, but most of the time you laugh in this show. damian: that's great. well, it's "the vagina monologues" in español, coming to the san francisco area here on april 8th through the 10th. we do have that website to show you. it's your production company. it's 3lopez.com at the victoria theatre there in san francisco. again, it's in spanish with some very powerful latina women here. any final thoughts, eliana, before we let you go? eliana: no, thank you so much. and i hope all of you take the time to join us, because we are trying to produce every month a show in spanish. so, please support this and i promise you are going to have a lot of fun. you are going to hear about pelos, about orgasm, but always in a very respectful way. so, it's going to be very interesting. damian: oh, that's very good. well, thank you so much. it's good to see that your production company

is going forward and, i mean, it's a success. you're bringing a lot of theatre to the san francisco bay area. eliana: thank to all of you. damian: all right, thank you so much. and if you'd like to get ahold of us for any particular reason, we do have our contact information. you can follow me on twitter. my handle is @newsdamian. also, pick up a copy of "el observador newspaper" and support your bilingual weeklies all across bay area. we also wanna thank telemundo canal 48 for allowing us to borrow their studio. for the next month, we'll be recording this show here in the telemundo studios. we'll have a surprise for you in a couple of months on "comunidad del valle." thank you so much for watching. we'll see you here again next week. pase usted, buenos dias. [music] cc by aberdeen captioning 1-800-688-6621 www.abercap.com

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