One hour south of the wealthy Silicon Valley, and 20 minutes east of the affluent Carmel area, sits the city of Salinas. The city is located at the head of a fertile valley – an area brought into public consciousness through the stories of John Steinbeck. On the east side of Salinas, in the predominantly Latino neighborhood known as Alisal, poverty, deplorable housing conditions and gang violence are a part of daily life.
THE SALINAS PROJECT profiles several children of migrant farm workers living in Alisal. Without resources, and sometimes undocumented, their future looks uncertain yet they cling to the hope of a better life. The film goes beyond the mainstream media representations to shine a light on the problems in East Salinas and highlight the successes of this often marginalized community. In the face of adversity, the young people of Salinas strive to improve their social and economic realities by educating themselves and changing their lives, one generation at a time.
Airs on WXXI-TV April 11, 2018 at 3:00 am (1 hour long)
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