Rancho Cielo
Episode 3 | 4m 19sVideo has Closed Captions
For some looking to return to school, Rancho Cielo has opened the gates of opportunity.
Jorge dropped out of school to help his family, picking lettuce in the fields of Salinas, California, for five years. Rancho Cielo brought him back to school and a pathway to better job opportunities. Produced by Monika Navarro for the CPB/PBS Producers Workshop Collection
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Rancho Cielo
Episode 3 | 4m 19sVideo has Closed Captions
Jorge dropped out of school to help his family, picking lettuce in the fields of Salinas, California, for five years. Rancho Cielo brought him back to school and a pathway to better job opportunities. Produced by Monika Navarro for the CPB/PBS Producers Workshop Collection
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipMy name is Jorge Lucio.
I was born in 1988 in Tangancicuaro, Michoacán, México.
I'm the oldest of my brothers.
I was brought to Salinas when I was seven months old, for a brighter future and more opportunities.
(indistinct conversation) (mariachi music on radio) JORGE: When I first dropped out of school I was 17 years old.
My parents had bought the American dream house.
We were paying over $3,000 monthly for the house.
Our parents just told us to drop out and just work and stop wasting time.
We didn't have the support to stay in school.
Me and my brother decided to drop out.
My mom still works in the fields.
My path was similar because I didn't really have a future.
It was just the same routine, day-by-day, working in the fields.
Rancho Cielo is for youth that never got a GED or a high school diploma.
(bell rings) TEACHER: I can keep track of all these cool ideas.
You guys are cooks, and you like new recipes.
JORGE: There are different programs: Silver Star, Culinary, and us, Youth Build.
They divided us into two groups: the first group who would start the first week in the classroom, and the other program would start the first week on construction, then we would swap.
The whole Youth Build program, we started building transitional housing, from the foundation to the roof.
They also offer us a national recognized pre-apprentice certificate.
(indistinct conversation) Coming back to school, getting involved in all these activities, helped me out in staying focused, getting the one-on-one attention that I needed.
Going back to school I thought it was difficult because I had bills to pay.
I would have to go to work thinning lettuce and weeding when I don't go to school.
I think my parents have changed their ideas about education, since I'm going to be the first one to graduate in my family.
That day when I cross... cross the stage, I think I'll feel more motivated than ever, proud of myself, honored that I'm doing something about myself.
I hope my younger brothers take bigger steps than mine.
I've been giving them advice on how hard it is to work in the fields, and to stay in school.
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