August 2019

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2019 Teacher of the Year Nominees

CONNECTING SOUTHERN ARIZONA

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Jump Back 2 School

National Immunization Month

People that “echo” Cassandra Camacho

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Inspiring Educator

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Mayor’s Corner-August

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2019 Teacher of the Year Nominees

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Jump Back 2 School 2019

10 People that “echo” Cassandra Camacho 11 Investing in Families Child & Family Resources 13 Inspiring Educator 14 Mayor’s Corner-August 15 Santa Cruz Center/PCC Fall

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Border Eco, LLC © 2019 copyright all rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without the permission of Border Eco Magazine is prohibited. Any material produced is the property of Border Eco. Any material published is not necessarily the opinion of Border Eco and will not be held responsible. Border Eco Magazine accepts material from advertisers, clients, readers and various sources which are not necessarily the opinion of Border Eco Magazine in print or on Border Eco websites and will not be held responsible. | Border Eco | August 2019 Pg. #3

2019/2020 Santa Cruz County Teacher of the Year Nominees

The Santa Cruz County School Superintendent Mr. Alfredo I. Velasquez and the Nogales Rotary Club are proud to introduce you to this year’s Santa Cruz County Teacher of the Year Nominees. Each of the nominees were selected by their peers at their respective schools. All the nominees were interviewed by a panel of judges who had the responsibility of selecting the 2019 Santa Cruz County Teacher of the Year. The judges were residents of Santa Cruz County and former teachers.

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This wonderful group of Teachers are being honored for their immense dedication to our children and community on August 9, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at the Quality Inn/Americana Mayan Ballroom. During the 12th Annual Teacher of the Year Awards Dinner, the recipient of the Santa Cruz County Teacher of the Year Award will be named. The winner of this award will go on to compete at the state level in November. It will definitely be a difficult choice for the judges, as they are all deserving of this recognition.

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Nominees

Brad Beach- Pierson High School Callie Mattus- Sonoita Elementary School Carolyn Rae Hernandez- Nogales High School David Clovesko-Wharton Edith Sarmiento- A. J. Mitchell Elementary School George Thomas- Wade Carpenter Middle School Guadalupe Delgado- Rio Rico High School Helen Costulis- Mary Welty Jefferey S. Gudenkauf- Desert Shadows Maria Luisa Rodriguez- Mountain View Elementary School Maritza Olivas- San Cayetano Middle School Minerva Martinez- Lincoln Ms. Mable Shaju- Santa Cruz Elementary School Rosa Margarita Benitez- Bracker Elementary School Roxanna C. Aguirre- Challenger Elementary School S. Allison Lemons- Patagonia Union High School S. Wendy Marie Noriega- Coatimundi Middle School Tamra Barelt- Calabasas Elementary school Tonya Cooksey- Coronado Elementary School

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Local organizations have been hosting the Jump Back 2 School event for several years now. This was their 7th Annual Jump Back 2 School event. The event was originally spearheaded by Safeway along with other local nonprofit organizations. On Saturday,July 13th the day started early for several families and students in anticipation for the Jump Back 2 School event.

Families and students waited patiently outside the cafeteria as early at 7:00 a.m. Meanwhile, inside the gymnasium local organizations were setting up their tables and school supplies. The cafeteria doors opened at 9:00 a.m.

NUSD staff let families know they would start calling out students by school. The school principals from the elementary school greeted their students. Each of the school principals helped to register students, so they could participate in the back to school event. Students who participated in the event received school supplies, uniforms, and a bag of lunch on their way out. The ultimate goal of this event is to help prepare students for a successful school year.

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For several months, local organizations in Santa Cruz County met regularly to help plan for the Jump Back 2 School event. It is an opportunity for local organizations and community leaders to work together to help local families struggling to make ends meet. Many families today can’t afford to purchase the basic school supplies. The high cost of living continues to increase making difficult for local families to purchase the supplies their kids need for the school year. Thanks to local caring organizations working together they are able to help those families in need. Local organizations know it is their social responsibility to give back.

It is estimated that the average family spends approximately $400.00 dollars in back to school supplies but not all families can afford such an expense, especially if they have more than one child. it is estimated that the average median income for a family of 4 in Santa Cruz County is $ 29,710.

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The Jump Back 2 School Planning Committee would like to thank the following local organizations for their continued support: Nogales Unified School District Santa Cruz County Office of Superintendent Making Connections 4U NUSD Title 1 Safeway South 32 Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona Carondelet Nogales Fire Department The City of Nogales Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Santa Cruz County Recorder's Office Nogales Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Peter Piper Pizza Child & Family Resources Jeong Lizardi PC Women's Club SEABHS Santa Cruz County Board of Realtors Border Eco Magazine SODEXO CSL Plasma First Things First Nogales Mexican Consulate/Consulado de Mexico U of A South Pima Community College Santa Cruz County Provisional Community College Community Health Associates Arizona@Work Mariposa Community Health Center Circles Of Peace Boys and Girls Club Gene Morris Hall of Fame

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This month’s people that “echo” in Santa Cruz County is proud to introduce Cassandra Camacho. She was born and raised in Nogales. She has a Master of Education in Human Relations and an alumni from Northern Arizona University.

She also earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Spanish from the University of Arizona..

Mrs. Camacho is a program supervisor for the Healthy Families Program in Santa Cruz County with Child & Family Resources, Inc. Cassandra is not new the field of human services. She started as an intern and parent aide with Southern Arizona Children’s Advocacy Center in 2010. She later transferred La Paloma Family Services in Tucson where she worked as a behavioral health technician.

In 2011, she decided to move back to Nogales where she started working with Community Health Associates as a high needs case manager for 5 years with the Child & Family Team and Meet Me Where I Am Program. She currently is part of the Healthy Families Arizona and CASA program.

“I love the program itself!

It is relevant to my career goals while I get to help improve the lives of the next generation. My future plans are to continue helping families to break unhealthy cycles while providing trauma informed care services in the community. I have an opportunity to empower community members to pursue their goals. You never stop learning with Healthy Families Program because it is an ongoing learning experience,” said Cassandra Camacho.

Healthy Families is an early childhood home visitation program. It provides assistance to pregnant moms, expectant families and parents of newborns to help meet the challenges of parenting. It is part of a national initiative to assist parents in child rearing practices who are facing the greatest challenges, so their children are able to thrive.

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“It has been proven to be an effective program with a positive impact in areas of child development, school readiness, family functioning and selfsufficiency. Through hands on activities parents have an opportunity to learn about prenatal and child development. This home visiting program is free and has helped many parents to become the best parents they can be,” said Cassandra Camacho Program Supervisor. “ As a program supervisor for Healthy Families my role is to support my staff to use their unique strengths to build a professional relationship with families in Santa Cruz County. I am fortunate to work with such a great team. They are dedicated professionals that are culturally sensitive and family-centered oriented.

I facilitate supervision focused on three main areas: administrative, clinical and reflective,” said Camacho.

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Child and Family Resources is an organization that invests in the well-being of families in Santa Cruz County. It provides services throughout Santa Cruz County within the limits of Nogales, Rio Rico, Tumacacori, Patagonia, Elgin, Sonoita, and Tubac.

Santa Cruz County community members benefit from Healthy Families by receiving encouragement, support, and services during the critical first years of their child’s life.

In Santa Cruz County Child and Family Resources has the Healthy Families program, Child & Adult Care Food Program, and Guy Talk. The organization receives federal and state funding.

Nogales is currently funded by DCS only through the lottery tax.

Child & Family Resources participated in the Jump Back 2 School

Child and Family Resources Healthy Families Program provides free in home support and education for families to help build nourishing and happy environments. We do this through using a curriculum that helps families promote their child’s developmental milestones as well as their health and safety and most importantly help the parents prepare their child for School. The purpose of Healthy Families is to prevent child abuse by offering family-centered services and providing referrals for families to community resources and services as needed. “We provide in home support to families who are pregnant or have recently had a baby, up until the child goes to school (3-5 years old). Also, we do a lot of collaborations through Mariposa Community Health Center, Holy Cross Hospital and other agencies to encourage families to get involved. We have been providing prenatal classes at Mariposa Community Health Center, breastfeeding support at Holy Cross Hospital when needed, and car seat installations through our 3 certified car seat technicians,” said Cassandra Camacho Supervisor. w w w.bordereco.com

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Child and Family Resources gives back to the community by educating and advocating for resilient families and communities, expanding programs for youth, securing new revenue streams, and by being a leader in birth-5. Child and Family Resources mission is “To build strong communities where children can reach their full potential.” We support this by increasing awareness, support, and investment in children and youth. By promoting these skills and giving the caregivers the tools to do so we are building strong children to become productive adults, said Cassandra Camacho.

Child & Family Resources has 6 employees that work for Healthy Families at Child and Family Resources in Nogales. Staff members in Nogales are: Supervisor: Cassandra Camacho, Family Support Specialists: Maria Portillo, Rosa Hernandez, Talina Pimienta, and Claudia Caballero, Family Assessment Worker: Cassandra Madril.

There are currently 15 locations throughout Arizona.

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Inspiring Educator A teacher who has the ability to inspire students is the type of teacher who will for a long time be remembered. Students who are inspired by teachers accomplish amazing things, and that motivation almost always stays with them. That's because inspiration is one of the most important gifts an educator can provide to its students.

Exceptional educators are able to form strong relationships with their students and teachers. They go through great lengths to show they care. They are warm, accessible, enthusiastic and caring. They make themselves available to students, teachers and parents who are in need of their support.

Dr. Joan Molera is known for these qualities.

She is a life-long educator who has for 32 years inspired not only students but teachers throughout Santa Cruz County.

"I want to thank the Nogales Unified School District for providing me the opportunity to grow professionally. I am grateful for the continued support I received from Alfredo Velasquez, Santa Cruz County Superintendent. He goes above and beyond to integrate the schools and districts," said Joan.

She is a leader in the field of education.

“Whether I am a coach, sponsor, teacher, curriculum leader, assistant principal, or principal, my role is to educate. My role is not to judge, belittle, complain, or bully. Children are watching, listening, and imitating. I know how important it is to see potential in our students. It is important to provide the support they need in order for them to flourish. I give them space, guidance, and watch them do great things. That is the support I had throughout the years,” said Dr. Molera.

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She recently retired but continues in many ways to inspire not only students but educators too. She is a scholar by nature, who enjoys reading and writing. She loves to research and wrestle with ideas. Dr. Lucina Romero was an educator that inspired her to pursue her Ph.D. “Obtaining my Ph.D. was something for me, something I wanted for both personal and professional reasons,” said Dr. Joan Molera Dr. Molera is from Dubuque, Iowa, which is the eastern part of the state. It is a beautiful city along the Mississippi River whereby at one vantage point one can see both Illinois and Wisconsin. She attended Resurrection School for k-8 and Hempstead High School for 9-12 grades. At an early age, she was very involved in school. Joan’s main focus was academics, and extracurricular activities which included tennis, cheerleading, band (clarinet), and choir.

She continued with tennis and band at the collegiate level. She later attended Cornell College, a small private college in Mt. Vernon, Iowa, located approximately 60 miles from her hometown. The college was highly academic, nurturing her scholarship in secondary education, English, and sociology. When nearing graduation, Mr. “Feenie” Hernandez and Mr. Raul Bejarano interviewed her at a job fair at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. They offered her a high school English teaching job at Nogales High School. She accepted the job and the rest was history.

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Dr. Joan Molera has been happily married for 30 years. She recently celebrated her 30th year anniversary with her husband Rudy Molera. They have a son, Jacob, who is 16 years old and attends Nogales High School. He is dedicated to his studies, music (trumpet), and tennis. They live in Rio Rico.

Dr. Molera’s extended family visit yearly. Her parents still live in Dubuque, Iowa and sister, June, lives in Forest Grove, Oregon with her two children, Claire and Jess. Her parents are true snowbirds, they stay during the winter with them.

“Santa Cruz County is my home in all senses of the word / concept. It is where my family, friends, and colleagues live and work. More importantly, Santa Cruz County is a familyoriented community. The culture is rich with tradition and unsurpassed beauty. The focus on children and their well-being is unique, perhaps drawing on Mexican values. In particular Santa Cruz County is special to me because of the quality schools and programs offered to our youth. I have been defined by what I do: coach, teach, and lead. It is who I am and will continue to be after retirement.

The thousands of children that I have worked with now are productive adults. It gives me a deep satisfaction to know that I played a part in helping these individuals develop to the best of their abilities. I never give up on kids even when they give up on themselves,” said Dr. Joan Molera.

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Did you know that being counted brings over $16 billion a year to our City and State? The goal of the census is to count everyone once, only once, and in the right place. The Census provides a SNAPSHOT of our country, state, local areas, and on a broad level defines who we are as a nation. Did you know that the Census is required by the Constitution, which has called for an “actual enumeration” once a decade since 1790?

For our community, the census is important to adequately plan growth, deliver services and solve the counties problems.

Please call our office, 520.287.6571 or email my Administrative Assistant at lmontiel@nogalesaz.us of you have any questions/concerns. www.census.gov 1. 4th of July Event: Our August weather is already high in the 90 degree plus temperatures. The summer activities are kicking in now, starting with July 4th and the Fireworks! The 4th of July event (Happy Birthday, America!) was a great success! The activities started with the parade downtown Morley. This year’s Grand Marshal was Rosanna Gabaldon, Arizona State House of Representatives Legislative District 2. I personally want to thank Representative Rosanna Gabaldon for dedicating her time to the community of Nogales. A big thank you to the many participants including the fire & police department, the different clubs, businesses, vendor’s and to the many people who came out to watch the parade and join in the evening event at Fleischer Park.

The fireworks exhibition was awesome!

Without the generous support from all the participants like these, our celebration would have not been a total success.

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2. City Hall Happenings: At City Hall the Council, Managers, and Directors are working together to build a better and more productive public sector. Our budget is balanced, our streets and parks are improving on a daily basis and our focus continues on economic development.

We are collaborating with the private and public sectors to create more effective government.

3 .Arizona-Mexico Commission: On June 26 through June 28, Mayor, Council and City Managers, attended the Arizona-Mexico Commission in Phoenix. The purpose of this important conference is to work to improve the well-being & quality of life of AZ residents by maintaining a strong, cooperative relationship with Mexico. Top level business leaders and policy makers from Arizona and Mexico gathered under the leadership of Arizona Governor Doug Ducey and Sonora Governor Claudia Pavlovich to promote a strong, cooperative binational relationship.

Mayor Garino was invited to exclusively speak and present on Tourism specifically on policy development and provide an exchange of ideas and information.

4.U.S. Consul General de Nogales 4th of July Pre-Activity: Consul General from the United States of America, Virginia Staab, invited the Mayor, Council & Staff to a Pre-4th of July event in Sonora, Mexico on Tuesday, July 2 at the American Embassy.

We sincerely want to thank, Consul Virginia Staab and her entire staff for a beautiful event; the embassy was transformed into a scene out of her native San Francisco including the Trolley.

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5. Jump Back 2 School event: On Saturday, July 13th, my wife, Cathy and I, attended the Jump Back 2 School event.

A big thank you to all the sponsors, community partners including Making Connections 4U (Adriana Romero) for helping organize such an important and successful event. The City of Nogales continues to strive to make a difference in the lives of children and their families. The students were given notebooks, backpacks, and general school supplies in preparation to their return to school in August. Again, thank you for the hard work our community partners exhibit on a daily basis to make events such as this one a success.

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SAVE THE DATE! SANTA CRUZ COUNTY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE Invites you to:

2019 Domestic Violence Official Proclamation, Peace Walk and Candlelight Vigil

This event is open to our community.

It will take place on Monday October 7, 2019 at 5:30 pm by the steps of the main entrance to the Santa Cruz County Complex. With this event we are beginning our National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in memory of the victims who have lost their lives due to domestic violence, and in honor of all survivors and their families.

We will be providing flameless candles for the participants.

For more information contact us at: (520) 375-7780

If you do not agree with violence, please unite with us by participating in the Peace Walk!

Paint Your Own Poster or T-Shirt Promoting Peace ce Promoting Non-Violen

YOU HAVE THE POWER!

Peace Walk Route