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Amazing Mom: Sandi Romero
Filed under: Work Life, Going Green, Resources, Amazing Parents
Credit: Courtesy of Sandi Romero
Sandi's Family: Husband: Luis Plasencia, married 15 years; Kid: Christina, 39
Sandi Lives In: Los Angeles, California
Why Sandi Is Amazing: Sandi Romero was a single mother by the time she was 15. Despite her childhood being cut short, she devoted herself to doing meaningful work to help make other people's dreams come true. When her daughter was young, she worked part time as a receptionist at the Fair Housing Council, eventually working her way up to executive director.
Then, in 1995, Sandi and her friend, Joe Colletti, co-founded their own non-profit organization, The Institute for Urban Research and Development, where they assist regular folks in starting their own small businesses.
One particular project became a walk in the park, literally. Sandi made it her mission to turn street vendors in and around Los Angeles' crime ridden MacArthur Park into legitimate business operators, offering to help get the proper permits and business licenses. By 2005, there were no arrests in MacArthur Park.
Some of the hundreds of people that Sandi helped back then now sell their products locally and nationally. Some have even opened their own catering businesses and restaurants.
Sandi says her biggest satisfaction is "knowing that I helped people make their dreams come true."
Recognition: Sandi received The Angel Triumph Award from St. Anne's in Los Angeles (originally a home for unwed teenage mothers and now a multifaceted social services agency), where she was sheltered as a young, pregnant teenager; the Local Hero Award from the Bank of America Foundation; Woman of the Year from La Opinion; and the Community Builder Award from POWER Collaboration Network.
Sandi's Guilty Pleasures: Sandi loves her manicures and pedicures and treats herself to a monthly shopping excursion.
Sandi's Best Advice: "Life is too short so live in the moment the best you can and don't waste time in the negative. Give love and smiles to all those you meet, and when you can, give a hug!"
Author Heather Catherine Hogan's memoir, Can There Be More?, traces her life from losing her mother at a young age to becoming a mother herself. Read Heather's popular blog on Red Room.
Related: Amazing Mom: Kathie McClure
Want to see who else made the list? Click here for the rest of AOL's 2010 Amazing Moms!
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