Vanessa Fuentes: Putting well being and equity to start with

City Council Member Vanessa Fuentes stepped into a instead occupied initially phrase in business office – this calendar year, an unprecedented wintertime storm took Travis County by shock and the pandemic ongoing to surge in spite of hopes for Covid-19’s retreat. But Fuentes, who now represents Southeast Austin’s District 2, took the challenge head-on.

“No amount of planning can prepare you as soon as you acquire office environment,” Fuentes said. “But what I acquired seriously speedily is that I have a fantastic staff … they realize the demands of our local community and they direct with service in mind. I have always experienced the motto, you are only as excellent as your crew.”

The emphasis of Fuentes’ initially year on Council was large, together with making certain an equitable vaccine reaction, fighting for financial justice and enhancing childhood instruction. She said each individual working day she feels like she’s making a difference.

“Having the ability to make an precise, tangible impression in someone’s day-to-working day existence is what it’s all about,” Fuentes mentioned. “That’s what makes me so proud to have this honor to provide as a councilwoman.”

Her history in well being advocacy and group arranging has motivated the role she has taken on in Council. “We want to make absolutely sure that the regional authorities is open up, obtainable and transparent to all, and … hold the technique accountable if needed.”

This philosophy came into engage in with Fuentes’ pandemic reaction. The Del Valle area has struggled with the virus, so she labored hard to guarantee the city’s Covid-19 response was serving all community members equally.

In addition to organizing pop-up vaccine clinics, her office environment proven a static vaccine internet site for local community users who may possibly not have world-wide-web access. When issues were being elevated about disproportionate Covid-19 and vaccination premiums, she joined her colleagues in issuing a resolution calling for an equitable and just vaccine response. 

“Certainly…