Community Organizations and Services
“In the spirit of ‘waste is not waste until it’s wasted,’ David Hoffman’s THE LAST RESORT is an environmental model of sustainable and harmonious living. It attempts to assimilate both natural methods from the past with modern know-how to create a living system that effectively demonstrates possibilities of thriving in a non-polluting healthy environment. Its mission is to discover and perfect practical low-cost sustainable methods for waste management, water re-use, and food security.” Read David Hoffman’s story in the Community Guide Online. See page 174. Profile: Ramon Ramirez by Nicole Ramirez speaking the language.
Ramon worked diligently on the ranch until he was in an accident and had to cut back his dairy workload. In 1984, Ramon began custodial work at the Lagunitas School. He worked for 17 years and he says those years connected him with the San Geronimo Valley forever. He said they were the “happiest days of his life.” He said this community gave and continues to give him so much
Ramon Ramirez has lived in Nicasio for over forty years work- ing on dairy farms. Ramon was also employed by the Lagunitas School District for close to twenty years. Ramon is currently a Board member at the San Geronimo Valley Community Cen- ter and has been involved with many local organizations for decades. Ramon came to this country when he was 18 years old. He was born on March 3, 1942, in Jalostotitlan, Jalisco, Mexico. His journey here was not so simple. He swam across the Rio Grande with only 10 cents in his pocket and arrived in Texas. He is the eldest and sole male in his family of sisters. From early in his life he felt an obligation to help and support his mother and sisters. Ramon’s life experience is an amazing novel of a journey of hope and possibilities. He traveled several times back and forth to Mexico in his initial years here. He finally settled at the La Franchi Ranch in Nicasio in 1967, bringing his first wife and eight children. Ramon expressed that he had one intention during this time and that was to have a better life in a land with so much opportunity. He wanted a good life for himself and not only his family, but extended fam- ily and friends. He has become a conduit for many arriving here in need of work and housing. And what an asset he has been for those unclear how to navigate this country without
love and support. In 1990, Ramon met his second wife, Laura Flores, while visiting Jalostotitlan, Mexico. They were married in Vista Hermosa, Mexico, in 1993 and that same day they left Mexico. In 2005 Esmeralda, his youngest daughter, was born. Ramon continues to work and live on the La Franchi Ranch raising Esmeralda who attends Nicasio School. He expressed a sense of pride and happiness when I asked him what it meant to him to be on the SGVCC Board. He voiced a certain sentiment about the importance of giving back to this country and community because it has and continues to give his family so much. He said his one struggle being on the Board is his English skills. The Board members are patient, and he appreciates them for that. Ramon became a U.S. citizen on November 2, 2016. He was so proud and accom- plished, he came to the SGVCC to share his great news with us. His connection with this community is authentic.
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50 th Anniversary
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