Oral history interview with Tacoma resident Lorenzo Cervantes conducted by dindria barrow on August 23, 2022. In this interview, Lorenzo talks about his passion for HIV Prevention as well as education overall. Lorenzo describes how education was the primary way that his life changed and that it was a gift given to him by his immigrant parents. He knew at a young age that he loved differently and was gay. He also knew about injustice at a young age because he was ignored for not speaking English or looking white. Lorenzo leaves us with this advice: “A child needs advocates when they go to school… Education is key for everything…a way of getting out of poverty…we need to support our youth to be able to have the schooling that they deserve to have. [and] About HIV right now, is that we don’t hear about it as much as we should; it’s still an epidemic…talk about it with your friends, talk about it with your family, and even with your mom.” Lorenzo is the Prevention Director of the Pierce County AIDS Foundation (PCAF).

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Ernesto, left, wife Marina, and son David stand in front of their store, El Compadre, at the corner of 40th and McKinley Ave. The store has become the hub of information and assistance for the stream of Mexicans who continue to flow into Pierce County. They will be receiving an award from a new Hispanic organization in town. (photo by David Brandt)

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Governor Dixie Lee Ray

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Hispanic Americans

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El Comite
Alex Almonte (left) Paul Castillo (right)
Photograph by Jerry Buck

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El Comite
Mrs. Yenin Webster
Photograph by Jerry Buck

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Serving food in this photo: On left are patrons of the free lunch. On right is Anna Maria Garcia. Next to her is Arturo Garcia, holding another plate of food. Men at the table are not identified.
A Mexican style lunch was served at the Nativity House in downtown Tacoma Wednesday. The rice, beans and meat for large burritos were supplied by Arturo Garcia, owner of Moctezuma restaurant. The meal was the idea of Anna Maria Garcia, a social worker with the Health Department's AIDs Outreach program. She asked Mr. Garcia, (who is no relation) to provide the food. Father Gary Smith, S. J., is director of the Nativity House. His establishment provided the setting. Anna Maria Garcia said that a table with literature used in the fight against AIDS was placed where the guests would have access to the information. She said many of the people she meets in her work are Latinos. The idea was to give them a Latino meal during Christmas week.
Note: McDonald's on 6th Avenue provided the orange drinks.
Bruce Kellman/Photo

Tacoma Community House Spring 2022 English Language student from Colombia. Interviewed by dindria barrow on April 27, 2022.

Tacoma Community House Spring 2022 English Language student from Mexico. Interviewed by dindria barrow on April 27, 2022.

Tacoma Community House Spring 2022 English Language student from Colombia. Interviewed by dindria barrow on April 27, 2022.

Tacoma Community House Spring 2022 English Language student from Mexico. Interviewed by dindria barrow on May 11, 2022.

Tacoma Community House Spring 2022 English Language student from Brazil. Interviewed by dindria barrow on May 4, 2022.

Tacoma Community House Spring 2022 English Language student from Colombia. Interviewed by dindria barrow on May 11, 2022.