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Identifier
GonzalesFrances_2008_CRP
Description
The interview of Frances Gonzales began with an introduction and some basic facts about Frances. Frances is 43 years old, she is currently homeless and stays at the “Women Alive” shelter in Salinas, Ca. Frances was born in Salinas and stays there now. As a child Frances came to the Salinas Chinatown area to look for her mother, who was a drug addict. During that time Chinatown was a place of drugs, prostitution, and gambling. Frances’ father died in 1969 when she was 4 years old of a drug overdose. She was attracted to the lights of Chinatown and described it as a “little Reno,” but she was also frightened by it and did not like going there to find her mother. Frances’ life never got much easier. She was involved with gangs as a teenager and soon became addicted to drugs and alcohol herself. She had three children of her own, 2 boys and a girl who are now all in their late teens to early twenties. She deeply regrets using drugs during her pregnancy with her oldest son, who has been incarcerated most of his life. While raising her children Frances was homeless off and on, in and out of jail and drug rehab programs, and her children were in and out of Child Protective Services. Frances is now clean, working and volunteering at Dorothy’s Place, food kitchen and service provider to the homeless. She was hired by CSUMB to help with the rejuvenation of the Chinatown area and is grateful to the Asian American Encounter (ACE) for including the current homeless community in attempts to better and preserve the area. She knows she has made many mistakes and continues paying for them.
Interview Date
10-31-2008
Interviewer
Heather Brewer
Geographic Coverage
Salinas (Calif.)
Subjects
Chinatown (Salinas, Calif.); Community kitchens; Homelessness; Drug addiction--Treatment
Type
Sound
Genre
Oral histories
Digital Format
audio/mp3
Language
eng
Digital Collection
Chinatown Renewal Project
Repository
Archives & Special Collections of California State University, Monterey Bay
Disclaimer
These oral histories express the personal views, memories, and opinions of the interviewee. They do not represent the policy or views of California State University, Monterey Bay.
Recommended Citation
Gonzales, Frances and California State University, Monterey Bay, "Interview with Frances Gonzales" (2008). Chinatown Renewal Project. 40.
https://digitalcommons.csumb.edu/ohcma_chinatown/40
Rights Statement
