Cristina’s Story

In 2008, Cristina Garcia, migrated from Oaxaca, Mexico, to the United States with her two young children. Cristina was only 26 years old when she made that life-changing decision. Now Cristina is a hardworking mother of five and has been a resident of Healdsburg for 17 years. Cristina is a strong and dedicated woman who has worked hands-on in the vineyards ever since she arrived in California. Although she is busy with her work and taking care of her children, she still manages to help the community through Corazón Healdsburg.

Cristina is an important member of our community and deserves to be recognized and appreciated for the hard work she has contributed to Corazón. She has been supporting Corazón ever since her third child was in school and continued to help because she later had twin daughters who were in the Pasitos playgroup. Cristina has always attended and assisted with events organized by Corazón Healdsburg, such as Día de Muertos and Noche de Paz. She has not missed any events and is always there, listening and engaging. Cristina is also part of the Comité, which gathers neighbors from the community once a month for a leadership meeting.

Not only is Cristina a member of the Comité, but she is also in charge of the Corazón community garden at the Healdsburg Community Center. Garcia strives and dedicates herself to maintaining it clean and organized on a weekly basis. Cristina’s garden consists of many herbs and vegetables, including freshly planted cilantro, organic garlic, and onions. Cristina actively tends to her garden and checks on her plants, nurturing them with water so they can grow tall and healthy. When they are ready to be harvested, they are given away to the community.

Cristina has many ideas for the garden, and currently, she is planning to plant Flores de Cempasúchil. Marigold flowers are traditionally used in Mexico as a symbol to decorate the tombs of loved ones for Día de Muertos. Family members also place pictures and flowers of their lost loved ones so they can cross over to spend time with their families on that special day. In Mexican culture, the scent of marigolds is believed to attract the souls of the deceased, while their vibrant orange and red colors are thought to bring joy and celebration to their spirits.