The event that has changed my life: The Jerry Brown for Governor Campaign
Essay by Alexess Jimenez
On November 2, 2010 my voice will be heard loud and clear. This is my first election that I’m eligible to be a part of. I’m making my vote count in numerous ways. A volunteer spot opened up at my mother’s workplace to help in the campaign to re-elect Jerry Brown as Governor of California. The opportunity seemed to be fun, but I soon found out this campaign is not a game but a serious news flash for me as well as my family.  The Jerry Brown Campaign has opened up many doors for my future and way of living in the next year. I’m making a positive step in my adult life that will change my mentality completely within such a short period of time.

My job is to involve the community in this year’s election for the new governor of California and many other spots to work in the government offices.  I’ve already had the pleasure of meeting Rudy Salas who’s running for City Council we had one on one time talking about how politics are now a days and what’s going on in my community. I was inspired to continue volunteering with the workers unions. Dolores Huerta Foundation and United Domestic Workers Union are organizations that I have just recently volunteered at. I go door to door to talk to absentee voters and help them get involved with this election in November. Working with these people who rely on their union jobs to keep food on their tables, a roof over their heads, and their families together have opened up my eyes to a whole new world.

This will be my first real action as an adult that will have an impact on my life over the next year or so. I am very excited for this election to happen because I know that if Brown wins then I had the one in a million chances to make that happen for my generation. Not many teens can say that but I can say it with a huge smile on my face. It seems sum what like a fairy tale for me. I can see myself doing this professionally and being ecstatic over the result win or lose. Each volunteer that I’ve come across has their own way of making connections with the voter. Once they say they are undecided about who to vote for we educate them on who’s agreeing and disagreeing on important topics that will change California dramatically. We share our own personal stories and what this election will do to unions such as the one’s I’m working for. The voters understand us and are motivated to vote, regardless of what they decide to vote we still thank them for hearing us and what we went to say.

U.D.W. has been there for me and my family since my mom started working for In Home Supportive Services over fifteen years ago. They care for each one of their union members; they treat everyone like a family member. With the decision of this election my mom’s job can either be saved or cut completely. My mother and I care for my elderly grandmother of seventy-nine years old. She needs twenty-four hour care. Between her dialysis treatments three times a week and every other day a new doctors’ appointments it’s hard work. The elderly homes’ have not been a success in the past with my grandmother she gets depressed, lonely, and sicker every time we think about sending her back to one of those. She’s use to being around family, friends, also people who understand her stubborn ways. The IHSS program has allowed my mother to care for my grandmother as a full time job. If her job gets cut then how will my mom support our family and take care of my grandmother?

In this years’ election I will let my voice be heard and worth something. My drive is the idea of my family struggling more than it is already is every day that we get closer to the election. I will not let this happen without putting up a fight. Come November 2 I will stand up tall and with hope in my heart that all my hard work will pay off. No one can say that I didn’t do my best to help win. In my community I’m making a difference. I know this in my heart, in others minds, and on paper. Jerry Brown for Governor of California is the only way I can safely say will help me and my family maintain our average lifestyle. I am proud to say this campaign has changed my life and mentality of the government inside and out.