How One Woman is Rebuilding Her Life and Her Community in Altadena
After becoming addicted to drugs at 17, Sandra spent years living on the streets. The turning point came when she found out she was pregnant at 22. That changed everything.
Deciding to build a better future for her child and eventually all three of her kids, she found an opportunity through the Laborers Union apprenticeship program. The program gave her skills and a new start.
Today Sandra is part of a crew in Altadena clearing ash and debris from properties destroyed by disaster. It's hard work, physical work, she has to suit up in protective gear and handle contaminated materials, but for Sandra it's deeply meaningful. She finds a connection between her own life's reconstruction and the work she does every day.
'It feels good to be here and to be doing something for the community,' she said. 'Because once the ash and debris removal has happened to the property, that means the homeowner can come and reclaim it and start thinking about rebuilding.'
Everything Sandra does is for her three kids. They are the reason she kept going when everything felt impossible.
'When I felt like everything was going to swallow me whole I would look over at them and I'd be like I can't give up. I have three people depending on me.'
Now she can provide for them in ways she never thought possible – a stable home, school supplies and money in the bank. Her oldest daughter Abigail sees the sacrifice and dedication firsthand and knows how hard her mom works to give them a better life.
Sandra is not just rebuilding homes for others, she's building a foundation for the next generation.
Find full episodes of the LA Times Studios podcast 'Rebuilding LA' on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
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Los Angeles Times
a day ago
- Los Angeles Times
How One Woman is Rebuilding Her Life and Her Community in Altadena
This video is about Sandra Molina, a single mom of three who turned her life around with the help of the Laborers Union. Her day starts at 4:00 a.m. where she's already getting ready for her 12 hour shift as a hazmat worker. A tough job she loves. Her journey wasn't easy. After becoming addicted to drugs at 17, Sandra spent years living on the streets. The turning point came when she found out she was pregnant at 22. That changed everything. Deciding to build a better future for her child and eventually all three of her kids, she found an opportunity through the Laborers Union apprenticeship program. The program gave her skills and a new start. Today Sandra is part of a crew in Altadena clearing ash and debris from properties destroyed by disaster. It's hard work, physical work, she has to suit up in protective gear and handle contaminated materials, but for Sandra it's deeply meaningful. She finds a connection between her own life's reconstruction and the work she does every day. 'It feels good to be here and to be doing something for the community,' she said. 'Because once the ash and debris removal has happened to the property, that means the homeowner can come and reclaim it and start thinking about rebuilding.' Everything Sandra does is for her three kids. They are the reason she kept going when everything felt impossible. 'When I felt like everything was going to swallow me whole I would look over at them and I'd be like I can't give up. I have three people depending on me.' Now she can provide for them in ways she never thought possible – a stable home, school supplies and money in the bank. Her oldest daughter Abigail sees the sacrifice and dedication firsthand and knows how hard her mom works to give them a better life. Sandra is not just rebuilding homes for others, she's building a foundation for the next generation. Find full episodes of the LA Times Studios podcast 'Rebuilding LA' on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
New York Post
24-06-2025
- New York Post
‘Chivalry is dead': What men just aren't doing anymore
Is Chivalry dead? After a grown man practically trampled me to get on the bus recently, I'd be inclined to say yes. He was in a suit and fun socks (boring finance bros tend to think quirky socks make them look fun), and he was on the verge of elbowing me to get a seat. I was unnerved by his rugby scrum approach to public transport, it was a bit much for 8 a.m. and buses come every 10 minutes – but I wasn't shocked It wasn't very chivalrous, but is that even a thing anymore? Is men letting women go first on public transport a dead concept? Did it die when we started advocating for fair pay and the rights to our bodies? Is the price of equality that men just aren't that polite anymore? I want equal pay and men to follow the Titanic rule of women and children first. 3 In modern times, chivalry refers to being polite and showing kind, respectful behavior, usually towards women. Dusan Petkovic – Not that you're asking for a history lesson, but to catch you up, the word chivalry originated in the Middle Ages, and primarily referred to the code of conduct for knights. In modern times, it refers to being polite and showing kind, respectful behavior, usually towards women. Such as holding the door open, allowing women to enter rooms first, and men offering to give up their seats on public transport. Does that still exist in 2025 though? Or is it a social normal we've outgrown? When hit Sydney's streets to get answers, the response was fairly divided by gender. In general, men claimed chivalry still exists, and most women admitted they didn't see enough of it anymore – if at all. 'I definitely think chivalry is dead. I think the attitude of men in general just isn't great,' one woman proclaimed. 'I think so yeah. I don't see it as often as I should,' another woman echoed. One young woman in a funky hat said she didn't think it was dead but conceded it is definitely 'changing.' What does chivalry look like to her in 2025? Well, less holding open on doors, and more making someone a Spotify playlist. Men, on the other hand, think chivalry is still a thing. 'I think it is still there and I think it should still exist,' one young man argued, but then admitted that it had morphed. 3 In general, men claimed chivalry still exists, and most women admitted they didn't see enough of it anymore – if at all. Pixel-Shot – 'Compared to how our parents saw it, it is not where it used to be,' he added. Meanwhile, two young men responded with a firm and concise 'no' when asked if they thought chivalry was dead. There were also quite a few men that declined to be filmed that admitted they thought chivalry was alive and well, so there's clearly a disconnect between men and women on the subject. Men think they are being chivalrous, but women say they just aren't seeing it in their daily lives or, if they are witnessing it, they're certainly not seeing enough of it. It fascinates me that we've achieved men not opening doors for women far faster than we've achieved equal pay. 3 One young woman in a funky hat said she didn't think chivalry was dead but conceded it is definitely 'changing.' InfiniteFlow – In Australia, there's still a stark 12.1 per cent gender pay gap. The conversation about chivalry is clearly part of the cultural Zeitgeist at the moment. A woman in the UK posted a video of herself standing on the train and then filmed a bunch of men sitting while she stood and it amassed millions of views. She set the clip to Lorde's song 'Man of the Year', which is being used on TikTok at the moment to call out poor behaviour from men. People online were divided over the clip. Many saw nothing wrong with men not standing up for women, suggesting that chivalry isn't a thing anymore. 'I'm confused- are you pregnant? Disabled? Injured? If you aren't, and they got there first, are total strangers, they don't owe you a seat,' one person said. 'What's the issue here?' another asked. 'Men don't owe women anything,' someone else argued. However, there were others who claimed the video was proof that 'chivalry is dead.' 'And they push you out of the way to get the seats too,' another said. One woman claimed: 'When I was pregnant the same thing happened. Only old ladies would offer to give up the seat.' The chivalry debate certainly isn't settled, and at this point, I'd just settle for a grown man not elbowing me to get a better seat on the bus.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Yahoo
Sandra Kay Mraz, Youngstown, Ohio
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Sandra Kay Mraz, 80, peacefully passed away on Monday evening, June 2, 2025. Sandra was born on February 17, 1945, to Viola Craig and William Mock (Violet Eliza Jackson – Foster mother) in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania. Find obituaries from your high school Sandra attended The Rayen High School. She was a loving, devoted wife and cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. Sandra was the most kind, self-less, loving, generous, giving, compassionate, tender-hearted woman. She was always giving the shirt off her back. She would often feed local neighbors, the homeless, family members and always giving everything she had to help others. She was a committed homemaker all her life. Some of her favorite pastime activities included playing cards with family, going to bingo, playing her favorite slot machine at the casino, dancing, watching her favorite T.V. shows, cooking meals for the family but most of all she loved having the family over for local gatherings at 'Grans house.' Sandra is survived by her loving husband, Michael T. Mraz, whom she married on June 5, 1970; five daughters, Shelly Wilson, Lisa (Bill) Sandy, Michelle (Tim) Mraz, Misti (Bill) Mraz and Kristi (Brandon) Lamoncha; 15 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and was anxiously expecting her first great-great-grandson. She was preceded in death by her parents, a son, Bobby Parks; two daughters, Denise Patterson and Dawn Mraz; two grandchildren, six brothers and two sisters. The family will receive relatives and friends from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at the Rossi Brothers and Lellio Funeral Home, 4442 South Avenue in Boardman, followed by a 12:00 p.m., memorial service. In lieu of flowers, monetary donations may be made to the family at the funeral home or via Zelle to Michael Mraz. Family and friends are encouraged to offer prayers for the family by visiting the Book of Memories at To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sandra Kay Mraz, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
