Consuelo Gomez

Consuelo Gomez joins SCORES as program coordinator for the organization’s newest partnership with the Pajaro Valley Unified School District, just south of Santa Cruz. The Watsonville-based program launched in the Spring of 2023 and serves roughly 600 students at six elementary schools. 

You were born and raised in Watsonville, just south of Santa Cruz, and now you’ve returned to your hometown to work with SCORES. What was it like to grow up there? 

I was so fortunate to grow up here. Watsonville is a beautiful place, very agricultural, and predominantly Hispanic. I come from a family of seven. I have two older sisters, an older brother, and a younger sister. And though we’re pretty far apart in age, we’re very, very close. We’re all living throughout California. I love them with all my heart. 

My parents highly valued education, and they worked so hard to provide us so many opportunities. But in some ways, it was hard to make connections outside of our family and community, because we were so tight-knit. It can kind of keep you in a box. I’ve always dreamed about getting out in the world and learning more and expanding, and I’ve done that. But now, through the SCORES program, I’ve been able to come back to help show the kids of my community how much there is out there and to expose them to new ideas and activities. 

How do the SCORES components of soccer, poetry, and community resonate with you? 

I grew up with soccer on TV 24/7. My Dad is a huge soccer fan and he played pick-up soccer into his fifties. We were always involved with soccer. I’m also personally passionate about working with my community, especially giving back in a way that involves health and physical activity. 

The poetry aspect of the program is the cherry on top. I had never formally learned about poetry in a structured way, but I journal all the time, and I read constantly. I love the idea of using poetry as an outlet for extended learning programs. It allows kids to see writing in a more creative way. It’s been such a gift to see the program flourish in the community where I grew up. And because I did grow up here, I understand just how much value it’s bringing and how it can open up kids’ worlds. I’ve noticed that it’s taught the kids how to think out of the box, to see things a bit differently than they might otherwise have. 

You moved away from Watsonville twice - once to San Francisco and once to San Diego. What have you learned by living away from where you grew up? 

One thing I’ve noticed is that every culture has its own kind of bubble. And that bubble shapes our thought processes and the way we see experiences. I’m always observing, because I love to learn, and I’m very intrigued by other people’s experiences. It teaches me how to get out of my own head and gives me new ways of thinking and processing information. Moving away and then coming back allows me to also see the differences and changes within my own community, and also what hasn’t changed. It gives you perspective. 

You’ve talked about expanding kids’ views of the world and the way poetry can facilitate that. But what about soccer? Where in soccer is the opportunity for change? 

Watsonville is huge on soccer, so getting the kids to participate has not been an issue at all. But their view of soccer was hyper-competitive. We’re bringing in a new approach where part of the fun of soccer is simply being active - moving your body - and it’s also a way of connecting with other people, through your team. It brings this purity to the relationships being built. Especially for this age group, we’re bringing in a new perspective – the idea that they can express themselves more, they can show their emotions, they can be creative. In a way, they’re learning to connect to more sides of themselves, in addition to others. 

If you have a spare moment, what do you love to do? 

I love spending time out in nature. I’m always in awe of the beauty that surrounds us. My happy place is catching a beach sunset.

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