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Inspiration from the Westside
Amelia Valdez is life coach, author, community organizer, and motivational speaker ready to share her inspirational story of life and love on San Antonio's Historic Westside.
"Ms. Amelia shares authentic experiences and speaks from the heart to connect with our students. She motivates them to look beyond their circumstances and work towards their potential."
-Elvia Barajas, Assistant Principal, JT Brackenridge Elementary
Inside Separate Worlds
SURVIVING IN THE BARRIO
"Surviving in the Barrio" is Amelia's essay published in the book Inside Separate Worlds from the University of Michigan Press. In this story of her youth on the Westside, Amelia shares the challenges of life in one of the city's oldest, and often most stigmatized, neighborhoods. Guided by her mother's deep love and understanding, Amelia finds hope and the will to not only survive but thrive in the barrio and beyond.
“The barrio taught me to survive in a world where you don’t know what is going to happen… in the barrio you do not plan your goals,
you just take them as they come.”
-Amelia Valdez
LIFTING UP OUR YOUTH
A gifted athlete from a young age, Amelia used sports as a way to build confidence and resilience. She has helped thousands of children from across San Antonio find joy and inspiration through sports and the outdoors.
Today she is available to speak with youth groups and provide coaching that encourages self-respect, hard work, and fair play.
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