Essential Voices with Wilmer Valderrama

Una Casa De Arcoiris - Part I

When the US/Mexico border closed during the pandemic, migrants were forced to wait indefinitely as their asylum cases were put on hold. For LGBTQ+ migrants, finding safe, non-discriminatory housing while waiting at the border is a challenge. In 2018, Casa Arcoiris was founded in Tijuana to be a temporary, safe housing space for LGBTQ+ migrants. At Casa Arcoiris, Director Cristina Franco Abundis takes care of her community members, providing medical care, legal aid, mental healthcare, and joy through the arts. During the pandemic, Cristina and her team found creative ways to continue bringing joy to their residents, and kept their residents healthy while the house was on lockdown. Part one of a two-part mini series: "Una Casa De Arcoiris." Learn more about Casa Arco Iris: <a href="https://casaarcoiris.org/en/">https://casaarcoiris.org/en/</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/alberguecasaarcoiris/?hl=en">https://www.instagram.com/alberguecasaarcoiris/?hl=en</a> Episode Transcript: <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VSEUall1C2pPYDQ-o30wBTnSS1bFyTDuXOOOq2vSIxs/edit?usp=sharing">https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VSEUall1C2pPYDQ-o30wBTnSS1bFyTDuXOOOq2vSIxs/edit?usp=sharing</a> Learn more about your ad-choices at <a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

The Covid-19 pandemic introduced the term “Essential Workers” for a class of people who existed before and will persist long after the virus is gone. Vital to society, but rarely heard from, this “essential” class is often hit hardest by the imbalances and injustices of our culture. In each episode, host Wilmer Valderrama will have intimate conversations with people on the frontlines of the food system, transportation, child-care and other workers who are so often overlooked. That conversation leads to a round-table discussion with activists and politically-active celebrities, discussing themes, issues and areas of needed change. The show seeks to reveal the invisible connections between all of us.