ENP Blog

Immigration Series and Real Relationships, with Ariana Martinez-Lott

Check out the next episode of What’s Good in the Neighborhood!

Today Andrew and Grace get to chat with local advocate and activist, Ariana Martinez-Lott who spent over ten years in advocacy work and real time relationships with undocumented folks here in Fresno County. Ariana brings real world insight and authentic experience to the conversation. Ariana talks about staying positive, seeing the current situation as an opportunity, and staying curious.

Serving as a consultant and engaged community member for local initiatives, Ariana Martinez Lott leverages her cross-sector relationships to strengthen resident-led transformation in Fresno. In her previous role as Community Relations Director for City of Fresno District 3, Ariana led policy analysis, managed district projects, and proudly helped residents navigate complex issues. An avid thrifter, she spends her spare time smothering her two children with kisses, or trying (relentlessly) to convince her husband to let her bring home more plantitas.

Gabrielle PicenoImmigration Series and Real Relationships, with Ariana Martinez-Lott
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What Happens When Kids Start Gardening at School? A Lot, Actually.

At Lincoln Elementary, students gather in their school garden, digging into the soil with their hands. They’re not just playing—they’re learning. About vegetables, responsibility, and where food comes from. This is transformative for their lives in the classroom and at home. Here’s why.

Ashley GoldsmithWhat Happens When Kids Start Gardening at School? A Lot, Actually.
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Immigration Series, with Mark Bowers of World Relief

Check out the next episode of What’s Good in the Neighborhood!

Andrew hangs out today with Mark Bowers of World Relief on the podcast. Mark describes how his own personal journey led him to a life on the margins with refugees and immigrants. Mark and Andrew discuss the Church’s role and responsibility to the immigrant, how World Relief is addressing and responding to the recent policy changes, and how you can learn and get involved with refugees in your own neighborhood.

J. Mark Bowers serves as Sr. Training Advisor for World Relief where his team builds tools for refugee and immigrant ministry in The Workshop. When the screens are powered down, Mark runs a housing business for immigrant families in East Lake—an under-resourced neighborhood where his own family lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Gabrielle PicenoImmigration Series, with Mark Bowers of World Relief
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Immigration Series, Local Policy Resources with Mariana Diaz

Check out the next episode of What’s Good in the Neighborhood!

Andrew sits down with Mariana Diaz, of Mennonite Central Committee West Coast, to talk about not only her personal story of immigration, but local immigration policies, ways to navigate and learn the system, and how to be a better neighbor to our local undocumented community.

Gabrielle PicenoImmigration Series, Local Policy Resources with Mariana Diaz
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Immigration Series, Introduction with Andrew and Grace

Check out the next episode of What’s Good in the Neighborhood!

Considering our current cultural moment, Andrew and Grace process the current administration’s philosophy on immigration in light of ENP values and point of view.

The two discuss how their personal faith is intersecting with the issue of immigration, and frame up for listeners why we’re taking a pause to learn from experts who have dedicated their lives or careers to people who live in the shadows of citizenship.

Gabrielle PicenoImmigration Series, Introduction with Andrew and Grace
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A Conversation about being Asset Based, with Christian Gonzalez + Samai Munoz

Check out the next episode of What’s Good in the Neighborhood!

As we finish out our conversation about being a good neighbor, we finish our series with Christian Gonzalez and Samai Munoz. Both women work personally with women and residents in our urban communities here in Fresno, and have the lived experience of working with people at a slower and messier pace than we would like in order to see real change. Samai is Mexican born, Fresno raised, and transformed through the power of travel, language, people, cultures and traditions. She finds herself continually learning through life experiences about radical acceptance of others and hyper-inclusive spaces. Samai is committed to evolving, self-development and growth in order to be a better family member, friend, and neighbor. Christian Gonzalez is the eldest daughter of immigrant parents. She is the Manager of Neighborhood Development She has worked both in ministry and in local place-making initiatives that build on adopted city plans, policies, and smart mobility streetscapes to encourage new mixed-use housing, businesses, public amenities, and jobs.

Grace BergA Conversation about being Asset Based, with Christian Gonzalez + Samai Munoz
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A Pastor’s Perspective on Being a Good Neighbor

Check out the next episode of What’s Good in the Neighborhood!

Today we get the privilege to sit down with and laugh with Pastor DJ Criner! DJ is a pastor, teacher, and visionary here in Fresno as he shepherds the people of Southwest Fresno at St Rest Baptist Church. DJ shares his thoughts about what it means for a church and a pastor to be a good neighbor in their space and place. The three chat theology, contexual ministry, community work, and city flourishing.

Grace BergA Pastor’s Perspective on Being a Good Neighbor
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A Good Neighborhood Makes A Place, with Mike Oz

Check out the next episode of What’s Good in the Neighborhood!

Mike Oz is the guy who knows a thing or two about finding the best things about where he lives and making them a pretty big deal. Andrew, Grace and Mike talk about what it takes to care about your city so much that you begin to make places for people to hang out at. Mike is the pro at this in Fresno, we are grateful we got the chance to pick his brain about why Fresno refuses to love itself, and creating spaces where people may just change their mind. You can find out more about Fresno Street Eats here: https://fresnostreeteats.com/ Mike Osegueda (aka Mike Oz) is the president/founder of Fresno Street Eats, which serves as both an events company and a business development group for mobile food vendors. Mike lived the first half of his life in the Bay Area, but has adopted Fresno has his home after living here for more than 20 years now, having moved to the 559 to work for The Fresno Bee. In the time that he’s been in Fresno, he’s taken a big interest in Fresno’s inferiority complex, putting a spotlight on the things that make it cool (like tacos!) and building rad things for the community.

Grace BergA Good Neighborhood Makes A Place, with Mike Oz
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Fresno’s Community Schools: A new, holistic approach to education

As part of a fairly new statewide initiative, Fresno Unified School District is in their second year of piloting community schools- a new, holistic approach to education. 

In a recent Fresno Bee article, Leqi Zong expands upon why California recognized the needs for community schools and how quickly Fresno Unified plans to expand the initiative:

Recognizing that students… encounter barriers keeping them from focusing on learning, California launched a $4.1 billion program in 2022 to turn public schools into “community schools” that serve as resource hubs for families. 

Fresno Unified has 19 schools offering these “wraparound services” — such as food, clothing, washers and dryers, and parenting classes — and plans to convert as many as one-third of its campuses into community schools by August.

Ashley GoldsmithFresno’s Community Schools: A new, holistic approach to education
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