Janice Luna

Today we’d like to introduce you to Janice Luna Reynoso.

Firstborn child to Mexican Immigrant parents and raised in National City and Southeast San Diego, Janice Luna Reynoso grew up learning to make a difference and helping others from her mother, Yolanda Luna. Raised on occupied Kumeyaay Territory, Janice continues to be influenced by her family’s farmworker heritage, her connection to Baja California, stories of marching off of the field with Cesar Chavez and learning of indigenous peoples, and pioneers in the civil rights and Chicano movement. Gang violence was prevalent in her youth and Janice lost friends and family to violence, drug addiction, or incarceration.

This inspired the desire for social justice and learning more about systems. Janice is one out of six children, a community leader involved in projects such as founding Mundo Gardens, with a focus on social justice, community gardening, health equity, Arte y Cultura. She also manages Refugio Music Studio in National City along with her partner, owner and producer Fabio Alejo Rojas. She carries the vision of holistic health for all as a Resident Leadership Academy facilitator, and with her work with refugee and immigrant youth from various San Diego barrios. She has facilitated On the RISE, a youth leadership program and is herself alumni of RISE San Diego Urban Leadership Program. She is a single mother to three daughters, Jacqueline Zenona, Semilla, and JenMichel, who are also active artivists in the community.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been a smooth road. We have faced many hurdles challenging a system which is still governed by white supremacy even when it comes to something so healing as a garden. While trying to juggle the work to create a non profit and raise my daughters, we faced displacement a couple of times due to gentrification and high rents.

We are now seeing the fruits of many years invested and volunteered in various forms of justice for our community. I do feel very privileged to have the support of family and friends, especially my mother, Yolanda Luna. I knew I would never end up on the street if I chose to stick with the work I am passionate about, thought I had sacrificed a comfortable pay and job security at times to follow the dream of sustaining our organization.

We’d love to hear more about your organization.
Mundo Gardens is a non-profit, community garden and social justice organization. We work on solutions to the issues that impact the social determinants of health. We are culturally responsive and creatives who use all our tools and our talents to reclaim our health and take back our communities. We founded the first community garden in National City, an area known for its fast food and high obesity and diabetes.

We now help with the school garden at El Toyon, my old elementary school and are opening our new 1/4 acre garden this summer, the Paradise Creek Family Garden, also in National City on the Westside. We are excited about our new partnership in operating the People’s Lot Community Garden in Logan Heights, for the people and by the people. We are known for telling it like it is and having a heart for our community when it comes to issues of disenfranchisement inclusively ready to celebrate our small successes and community victories. We also love including music and performances at our workshops and presentations.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I continue to mention my mother Yolanda, my Nana Zeno, and my ancestors for all the blessings and opportunities, prayers, that got me, us to where we are today. I have mentors and solid people who have impacted my life which include Dana Richardson and Yeni Palomino, authors and creators of the RLA (Resident Leadership Academy). Tony Young and Dwayne Crenshaw, Macedonio Arteaga Jr., Azadeh Davari, Grace Abenoja Bagunu and the rest of the RISE San Diego Urban Leadership Crew for impacting my life so much. My daughters, who at the end of the day, if things weren’t right with them, then this work wouldn’t matter. They challenge me to push through and learn to be a better mother and to seek out self-love and healing.

My sisters and brother who have been there in support of steps along the way, it has mattered. My board member, attorney, badass, little sister, Michelle Luna, who has been a powerhouse and propelled us to excellence. Fabio Alejo, who was ready to pick up the shovel and guitar at a moment’s notice throughout the years, even in the toughest of times, Gracias. Patty Corona and the Kitchenistas of National City, they have been such an inspiration to me. Ted and Margaret Godshalk of Paradise Educational Park Inc, for encouraging me and being supportive. Bill Caballero, Mario Torero, Victor Ochoa, Israel Maldonado, Pablo Cantua, Patricia Aguayo, Las Promotoras de EHC, Olivewood Gardens, People’s Legal Services, Brujitx, Chicano Park Steering Committee Members, and many amazing artists and leaders who have been down with the cause. All my relations, Thank You.

http://sdvoyager.com/interview/meet-janice-luna-reynoso-mundo-gardens-national-city-south-san-diego/

Víctor Ochoa es un pintor/muralista chicano ampliamente reconocido, considerado durante mucho tiempo como uno de los pioneros del movimiento de arte chicano de San Diego. Es cofundador del Centro Cultural de la Raza en Balboa Park, un centro de artes comunitario multidisciplinario dedicado a producir y preservar el arte y la cultura indígena, mexicana y chicana.

Se desempeñó como su director de 1970 a 1973 y de 1988 a 1990. Hasta hace poco, Ochoa había sido artista residente allí durante mucho tiempo. Ochoa fue co-iniciador de los murales comunitarios de Chicano Park, un proyecto de arte público aclamado internacionalmente. También fue co-fundador del colectivo artístico "Border Art Workshop/Taller de Arte Fronterizo" (1984-93).

Source: San Diego History Museum Archival Photograph

Fuente: Fotografía de archivo del Museo de Historia de San Diego

A sculpture of Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata by artist Arturo Ruano Singh.