What's Your Story?
Do you have community health story to share?
KQED Public Radio's The California Report wants to hear from you. We're looking for health-related stories from underrepresented voices across California. These stories will be about you and your experiences, recorded in your own voice.
We provide a stipend for all aired commentaries.
If you would like to send a story idea, or want to learn more, please contact KQED's Shuka Kalantari.
The California Report | May 17, 2013
A Mascot Brings Smiles to Homeless Kids on Skid Row
The next mayor of Los Angeles will have plenty of nitty-gritty issues to tackle -- including homelessness. Some 2,500 people are living on the streets on the infamous Skid Row. It's not the kind of place you'd expect to find clowns or balloon artists. But now a new group of volunteers is throwing birthday parties for homeless kids. As part of our occasional series "What's Your Story," Caitlin Esch introduces us to Mary Davis, who moonlights as the mascot "Skiddy Cat."
The California Report | May 10, 2013
Farmworker and Son Empowered in Salinas
Sofia Collins moved to the Salinas area with her husband and children to be a farm worker. But after just three days, Collins began getting rashes all over her arms and legs. She believes they were a reaction to the pesticides being sprayed in the fields. As part of our occasional series "What's Your Story?," we hear from her and her son Jay Rengal, about how an organic farm helped change their lives.
The California Report | May 10, 2013
Bullying Makes Transition Tough for Girl from Cuba
When eight-year-old Jane Fernandez and her family moved to the U.S. from Cuba, she was excited for a new beginning. But instead of making friends, she was bullied by other kids in the fourth grade. As part of our series, "What's Your Story," Fernandez reflects on how she worked through it.
The California Report | Apr 19, 2013
Woman Finds Strength in Native American Healing Ritual
In a world where random violence seems a constant threat, it can feel like we're on our own, unprotected and unsupported when it happens. As part of our "What's Your Story?" series, we meet Sheila Jumping Bull, an Oakland woman who found strength and solace from a spiritual ceremony called the "Wiping of Tears."
The California Report | Apr 12, 2013
What's Your Story? Night-Shift Trucker Carlos Fernandez
Carlos Fernandez lives in Woodlake, a small town in California's Central Valley. Now 68, he's spent the last four decades as a night-shift truck driver, hauling cement from Fresno to Victorville. As part of our occasional series "What's Your Story?" we hear from Fernandez about some tricks he uses to stay awake -- or catch some sleep -- while he's on the road.
The California Report | Apr 03, 2013
Oakland Woman Finds Mental Health Beyond Medication
Many Americans seek prescription medication to manage stress, anxiety and depression. But for some, the pills ultimately become a problem in their own right. As part of our first-person series "What's Your Story?" we hear from Oakland resident Sabirah Mustafa about how she and her doctor found another approach.
The California Report | Mar 29, 2013
For One Oakland Resident, a Bullet Revives a Memory
When Oakland resident Jean Melesaine was driving to work recently, she was surprised to find an unused bullet in her dashboard. As part of our occasional series, "What's Your Story?" we hear from Melesaine about how the bullet was from a gun she owned seven years ago.
The California Report | Mar 04, 2013
Mentors Inspire Young Medical Student to Pursue Dream
There was little in her background to suggest Vanessa Armendariz could become a doctor. But at key moments when she was growing up, mentors from similar circumstances made her dream seem possible. She explains as part of our occasional series, "What's Your Story?"
The California Report | Feb 26, 2013
Three Strikes Reform a New Start for Bakersfield Man
Last year, Californians voted to amend one of the state's more controversial criminal justice statutes, the so-called three strikes sentencing law. Bakersfield resident Pedro Marin's third strike was stealing tools from a local Walmart in order to buy drugs. In an installment of our series on community health called "What's Your Story," Marin talks about how serving 18 years of a life sentence changed him for the better.
The California Report | Feb 22, 2013
Bringing the Community Together in South L.A.
When Renee Gunter moved to South Los Angeles with her 8-year-old daughter, she didn't realize they were relocating to an area with one of the highest gun violence rates in L.A. But instead of packing up and moving, Gunter decided to bring a sense of community back to her neighborhood. She did it by starting a block party.
The California Report | Jan 30, 2013
For Young Mother, Immigration Program Puts American Dream Within Reach
A new law passed last year allows some undocumented immigrants to apply for work permits. As part of our occasional series "What's Your Story?" we hear how that's opened a new world of opportunities for Ayary Diaz of San Jose.
The California Report | Jan 14, 2013
After Surviving Shooting, Oakland Youth Works to Prevent Violence
As part of our occasional first-person series "What's Your Story," we meet Caheri Gutierrez, a violence prevention educator for Youth Alive. She began working with at-risk youth after she was shot in the face as a teenager in Oakland.
The California Report | Dec 19, 2012
Learning Yoga at 82
In our first-person series "What's Your Story?", Californians talk about health in their lives and communities. One of the more unlikely yogis you'll meet on the mat is 82-year-old Joseph Levine, who lives in a retirement community in Marin County.
The California Report | Nov 09, 2012
A Veteran Struggles With His Past
Many veterans will tell you that the war they experienced doesn't end when they come home. That's true for Adan Pulido, who's found himself stuck between a vow "never to forget the past" and the need to put it behind him.
The California Report | Nov 02, 2012
Remembering Dad on Dia de los Muertos
Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday, but it's celebrated all over the world. It pays respect to loved ones who've died, often with personalized altars in their honor. On this year's Day of the Dead, San Francisco's Martha Rodriguez had a very special reason to honor her father and celebrate life.
Election 2012 | Oct 12, 2012
Richmond Residents Weigh in on Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax
Two California cities – Richmond in Northern California’s Contra Costa County and El Monte in Los Angeles County — have proposed a one-cent-per-ounce tax on sugar sweetened beverages, including sodas and energy drinks. The Community Coalition Against Beverage Taxes (funded by the American Beverage Association) has spent approximately $3.5 million to defeat the measures. The coalition argues that it’s a tax on … Continue reading
