To celebrate Immigrant Heritage Month in June, we expanded Kitchens Without Borders in Chicago, L.A., and the Bay Area. KWB is our initiative spotlighting the immigrant- and refugee-owned small businesses we partner with at DoorDash.
We’re continuing to honor Immigrant Heritage Month by spotlighting people and organizations in the DoorDash community who have stories to share about the immigrant experience.
Meet Meli Pino, originally from Bolivia, who works for DoorDash in Pittsburgh.
DoorDash: What’s your role here at DoorDash?
Meli Pino: I started at DoorDash last year as a Dasher specialist. I was part of the launch of the Pittsburgh market to help build and support the Dasher community here. Now, as a supervisor, I have the opportunity to work with a team of specialists across different markets to ensure our Dashers have the most updated information to help them before they leave our offices.
When did you move to the U.S.?
I’m from the heart of South America, Bolivia. Since I was 10 years old, I’ve learned how to work and to contribute to family needs. During tough times, I used to help my grandma earn some extra money by selling flowers at my local market in La Paz. When I was 19, I moved to the States and started going to school in Redwood City, California. I also worked for the city doing translations for immigrants on things like health and law.
What are you working on?
I am working towards an education in linguistics because I really enjoy speaking multiple languages. Of course, Spanish is my mother language, but I also speak Portuguese. English is my third language.
I still support my family back home. I know that working hard is only going to reward me and take me far. I didn’t always have good role models in my life and I mostly made my own decisions. One of the decisions that I know I did right is to continue in this country. I know it has good things for me and can’t wait to see what else I can accomplish.
We also spoke to Ulises Soler of RAICES, a nonprofit organization based in San Antonio providing free and low-cost legal services for immigrant children, families, and refugees.
DoorDash: Tell us what RAICES does.
Ulises Soler: RAICES compassionately defends and empowers immigrants and advocates for human rights, equality, respect, and the right to migrate. A diverse staff of 213 attorneys, legal assistants, and support staff provide legal representation and advocacy in an immigration system that breaks apart families and leaves millions without pathways to legal status.
What are the most pressing issues RAICES is raising awareness about right now?
June was a big month for RAICES. On June 20, we celebrated #WorldRefugeeDay by launching our #BuildABridge campaign. It’s time to create a new vision for immigration to ensure that every new member of our society is afforded their rights and treated with dignity.
We also launched #NoKidsInCages in New York. It was a public art campaign created to bring awareness to the fact that children are still detained (3,000 children have been separated from their families). Small cages throughout the city featured a model of a small child inside to represent the conditions in the detention centers — known as “La Perrera,” or the “dog pound,” where children are currently being held.
Finally, we’re working to ensure that all children have access to life-saving legal aid, educational opportunities, the right to play, and an environment that fosters activity, stimulation, and growth.
How can people support RAICES?
You can help support RAICES work by donating directly to RAICES here. Sign up on our #BuildABridge campaign online and take action.
Aliens Serna is a Dasher from San Jose with Mexican roots. He grew up helping his family with the food truck they owned and operated in Northern California.
DoorDash: Tell us about your background and how your family ended up in San Jose.
Aliens Serna: My dad is from a very small place in Guerrero, one of the most southernmost states in Mexico. Some of his friends started coming up to the U.S. to find work. My dad’s best friend helped my dad come over here. At the time, he was doing whatever work was available. It wasn’t until he reached a company that manufactured circuit boards in Fremont that our family, economically at least, stabled out a little bit.
When my mom first got here, she worked for Taco Bell. When I was about 14 she started working for this guy that owned a food truck. They sold tacos and stuff, but they also sold Chinese. My mom ended up being the best, and she still does it today. I know everyone says this, but my mom’s cooking is really something else. The way my mom says it is, you can know the recipe but “si no tienes sazón,” it’s not going to taste good. The person making food has to have that flair for knowing how to make anything taste good. She has that. We ate good.
What do you like to do when you’re not dashing?
I’m traveling now. I just got back from Chicago. I’ve also traveled recently to Seattle, Dallas, Houston, and Portland. I travel a lot for beer — Portland’s really big on their craft beer. But I mostly travel for sporting events. I chase my favorite team from Mexico City, the Pumas.
What are some of your goals?
What people consider being successful — owning a house, having a career — that stuff hasn’t really resonated with me. To me, the definition of being successful is to be happy in whatever it is that you decide to do. Right now, I’m as happy as can be living the lifestyle that I live and DoorDash allows me to do that. If I’ve learned anything from doing DoorDash, it’s the value of my own time and how important it is to me.
Celebrating Immigrant Heritage Month with Our Community was originally published in DoorDash on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.