Immigrant Stories

Eleven years ago, Crystal Mariscal was living in a shelter with her four children. Today she is a city council woman, an award winning radioproducer, and a community organizer. Tune in as she describes how she overcame every challenge that life sent her way.

Lucy Moncada-Arcila immigrated from Cali, Colombia in 2010 and left behind a life of community service. Here, she talks about the dangerous encounters that prompted her to leave.

Anayeli Espinoza was twelve when she and her parents and her brother tried to cross the border from Mexico to the United States. It would be the first of five tries for Anayeli. Hee, she describes her harrowing journey and the emotional price she had to pay. For the web exclusive second part of this interview, click here .

Zalmai Salahai grew up in Afghanistan, the son of an Afghan general. When he was fifteen, his father sent him to live and work on his own in New York City. Here, Zalmai talks about why he was forced to leave and how he survived on his own.

Alex Sanchez is the new Executive Director of Valley Settlement Project. Here, he talks about the project, his childhood in Mexico and his journey to the Roaring Fork Valley as a young boy.

Molly Hemmen had to struggle to survive her premature birth. But that challenge didn't slow her down. In this interview she talks about her Dutch ancestors, her family and her interest in genealogy.

Brigitte Heller was ten years old in 1945 when allied forces leveled her town of Magdeburg, Germany. She shares her memories of a time she will never forget.

Ed Grange is the son of Italian Immigrants. He grew up on a farm outside of Basalt in the 1930's without electricity. Here, he shares with Walter Gallacher about his career at Holy Cross Energy and tells the backstory of how Vail got started.

On this month's episode of Immigrant Stories , José Miranda describes his life in Venezuela and why he and his family had to leave their water buffalo ranch and start over in the United States.

On this month's edition of Immigrant Stories , local attorney Claire Noone contrasts her recent work with Central American refugees to her experience with the war widows of Bosnia, Croatia and Serbia.