Walter, Jonathan, Grace and Christian all have a dream of becoming helpful and caring adults. Naturally, these Mendota elementary students want to be just like the role models in their communities.

Mendota, California, is a small town in west Fresno County.  It has a population of about 11,000 people.  Most of Mendota’s residents are farm working families who have left their home country and migrated to the Central Valley in search of work and new opportunities for their families.

AMOR selected Mendota to be its second major project in order to bring much needed essential services to the underserved farm workers and to their children in this Central Valley town.  AMOR’s vision is to build a multi-structure facility, housing a primary care health center and comprehensive wraparound social and youth services – all operating on extended hours to maximize the benefit to the local community.

AMOR handed out information about our plans at the recent annual backpack distribution and back-to-school community celebration.  Mendota residents came out to participate in the school supplies giveaway and to enjoy fun games and good food.

AMOR believes that investing in youth is a building block that allows a community the opportunity to not only grow but to thrive.  We asked a few Mendota elementary students what they want to be when they grow up. AMOR believes that everyone should have the opportunity to dream.

Walter is in fifth grade and wants to be a police officer.

Inspired by her teacher, Grace, a third grader, wants to become a teacher.

Jonathan is also in third grade and wants to learn about becoming a police officer.

Both of our amazing helpers for the day, Jonathan and Christian, hope to become police officers when they are older.