New Routes to Community Health gives voice to new leaders in immigrant communities across America. Meet Sandra Sanchez from the Salud project in Chicago, Illinois.

My name is Sandra Sanchez, I'm 19 years old and I am attending Morton College and majoring in Communications. I would say I grew up a dreamer, I'm a very optimistic person, I love to think outside the box, be someone different, and always try to be the bigger person. I live life with no regrets, mistakes are never made they're only lessons in life. One thing people might not know about me would be that I love to write and sing (ROCKBAND). I may not be good at it, but I do enjoy it, plus I love to bake cakes while I'm singing.

1. If you are an immigrant, tell us what it means to be an immigrant in America. If you are not an immigrant, tell us how the immigrant issue touches you on personal level.

I am not an immigrant, but my parents were and they have taught me many great values in life. I have heard their stories and how they came here for better opportunities, and to live a much greater life for them and their family. I think an immigrant is brave and a dreamer, they have goals in life they migrate from many different places. The push factors might be economy, religious values, laws, jobs, violence, society or education. They are not criminals they come here for better, they want an opportunity and they should be treated fairly.

2. For better or for worse how can or how does media (TV, movies, radio, news stories) make a difference in immigrants’ lives?

Lately media has been revolving around the issue of immigration, and I find it quite funny how they focus on one main group, Mexicans, they are the immigrants. It bothers me because they portray them as criminals, but they are not criminals, they are just trying to make a decent life for themselves. We are the ones that are being criminals for not allowing these immigrants any freedom; or is it all a lie when we say “America is the home of the free”. We need to embrace these hard working people.

4. Tell us about an interesting or wise practice from another culture that you wish Americans would adopt.

I have noticed that many people in America do practice some different culture celebrations around my community, but as a Mexican, I think we should be more broad than just a couple of little communities. I think everyone in the U.S. should celebrate El Dia de Los Tres Reyes, simply because you get more gifts, and they have posadas as well, music, dances, fireworks, not only that but the kids enjoy it, It is so exciting. I think people would find it very satisfying.

4. How could immigrant health and well-being be improved in your city or in the United States?

Health care should be offered to immigrants, they are humans. We need to look after them too. I think they should get medical checkups, but a proper checkup, and we need to be caring and treat them just how we would treat any other patient. I took my mom to the clinic one day and were in the waiting room for about two hours, and then a white person came in the clinic, and she sat down next to us, and she asked us what time was our appointment we said 8:30 am, and she said she had hers at 12:00, and she was coming in for the same thing my mom was coming in, and they called her in first like ten minutes after she walked in. I was so mad because there shouldn't be a preference, my mom was waiting for two hours and she still had to wait longer simply because someone from a different race happens to be "important", that is not fair. We need to be equal.

4. Tell us something about your background that led you to become the person you are today. What is your greatest motivation or motivator

Like I said before, my parents came from Mexico, they came for better, so I have that in my head all the time, my parents suffered to get here, and I need to work hard to make sure I become better. I am not about to quit on anything, if my parents managed to survive here without knowing anyone, what makes it so hard for me to get by?

I have the opportunities that my parents never had, so why should I not use it to my advantage, I am their hope, my parents have always told me it's not our future it's yours, the one that will either get by or suffer will be you not us. So they have inspired me to become the person that I am today because this life is mine and the sky is the limit.