My Program for Richmond's Children and Families

By Eduardo Martinez

Children and families need secure, cohesive healthy neighborhoods.

I've been a schoolteacher for 18 years and I am running for the children of Richmond.

As a teacher I have had the opportunity to work with children and their parents and to understand the ways in which conditions in the city affect the children's ability to learn and to thrive. My program is designed to help bring about these conditions.

First, children need a safe environment. I've seen too many children come to school anxious, depressed, and distracted, suffering from the effects of violence in their neighborhoods.

Children and families need safe places to gather, to learn and to play--we need safe parks, safe streets and staffed community centers.

Reducing crime must continue to be a priority.

Second children need to grow up in a healthy environment.

When I was teaching at Downer so many students had asthma that we had an Asthma Club. This is unacceptable and must be remedied!

We must continue to work with industry to ensure clean air for our children.

Third, children need parents with good jobs to provide an economic and emotionally secure home life, an environment of hope for the future.

Fourth, to thrive children need good models. They need a culture based on hard work, not gambling.

As a councilmember I will apply the leadership skills I developed while teaching and advocating for children.

As a cofounder of March 4 Education I organized and led hundreds of teachers, parents, and community members to Sacramento resulting in a refinancing which saved our school district millions of dollars.

I was a leader of the Parent Leadership Action Network an organization to empower parents and train them to advocate for their children.

The University of Arizona gave me an award for my work as an advocate for teaching policies that meet the needs of students.

I was a teacher 24/7. I am prepared to make the same commitment to the citizens of Richmond.

I welcome the opportunity to work for the citizens of Richmond as a member of the City Council.