Interview with Sonora, College Corp Fellow, University of San Diego Student, and creator or Little Hands, Safe Homes
EHC had the pleasure of chatting with Sonora about her experience leading the creation of Little Hands, Safe Homes, her inspiration, and personal connection to lead poisoning prevention.
How has your experience in College Corps and EHC shaped your connection to San Diego?
College Corps and EHC helped me get involved in the San Diego community soon after I arrived at college. I was nervous about moving somewhere new and not knowing what was happening, but I learned a lot about public health, environmental efforts, and local events. I’ve also seen how many people are working to support the community.
Where did the idea for a children’s book about lead poisoning come from?
I attended an event during Lead Week, where Letty and Aileen taught me about the lead crisis and showed me an older book about lead poisoning. I noticed that some pages had to be skipped and that the information felt dated, so I decided to write a research paper to learn more about lead poisoning in young children and how it could be prevented in our community. I learned that education seemed to be the way to prevention and that led to an opportunity to apply for a grant, where we received funding to create an updated book.
Why was it important to you to make the book accessible to families, especially Latino/x families in San Diego?
Children are the most affected by lead exposure, so families need clear information and practical resources. I want families to have equal access to information that can help them create a healthier home. Those that speak Spanish and English deserve to be equally educated about the issues in their community.
What do you hope families learn from reading Little Hands, Safe Homes?
I hope families come away understanding how serious lead exposure can be and knowing where to find resources. I also want them to learn practical steps they can take to help prevent exposure at home. This is a preventable disease, and I want to make prevention easy for parents and kids.
What is your personal connection to lead poisoning?
When I was in elementary school, there was a major concern about lead pipes at my school. In that moment, I felt very out of control and realized I had no idea about the toxins I was putting in my body because I had never been educated on the topic. That experience made the issue feel personal to me and helped me understand families’ need for reliable information about lead exposure.
Why do you think it is important for families to have this information in a simple, accessible format?
The book explains lead exposure and prevention in a straightforward way so families can understand the information and use it at home. It can also help children learn how they can support a healthy home environment. We do not want to make readers confused, but instead able to walk away from the conversation with clear next steps.
Was there anything you learned while making the book that changed how you think about lead exposure in everyday life?
I learned that lead is present in more places around us than I realized and that lead exposure is preventable. I also came to understand how important prevention is for children’s early learning and development and how symptoms may arise without us even being aware.
Where would you like to see the book go from here?
In an ideal world, the book would eventually no longer be needed because the problem has been resolved. Until then, I hope it’s used in community centers, schools, and at events to help families learn about lead exposure and prevention for years to come.
What would you tell another college student who wants to turn a research idea into something that can directly help their community?
I’d tell them to start by asking questions and not letting fear stop them from pursuing their idea. It also helps to connect with people who have experience and can guide or support your work. You don’t need to have every step figured out before you begin.
To learn more about Little Hands, Safe Homes, and download it, click below.