Turlock’s JoLynn DiGrazia is not of Hispanic heritage. She’s a mix of Swedish and, well, she’s not really sure about the rest.
“I think I’m Swedish and German and Scotts-Irish? Scotts-English? I’m not sure,” said DiGrazia. “Something like that. My husband’s Italian. I know that.”
Nevertheless, Stanislaus County District 2 Supervisor Vito Chiesa couldn’t think of a better honoree than DiGrazia for special recognition during Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 through Oct. 15).
“She was the choice for me because of how much she does on the west side of Turlock, which is highly Latinx,” said Chiesa, who presented DiGrazia with her certificate on Wednesday at Westside Ministries. “There’s not a more giving person of her time and her spirit.”
Each of the county’s five supervisors was tasked with designating one honoree from their district. Chiesa rose to present DiGrazia with a certificate of achievement, but DiGrazia wasn’t present.
“So, I don’t see JoLynn here,” Chiesa said during Tuesday’s meeting in Modesto. “She had told me when we called and told her … ‘I probably can make it, but children first.’ And that’s been her approach her entire life. If you’ve been around Turlock at any point in your life, you know who this woman is.”
DiGrazia, a native of Turlock and a member of one of its pioneer families (Brier), graduated from Fresno State and began a teaching career at Osborn Elementary School. After a few years, however, she believed she could do more for kids outside the classroom than inside … and Westside Ministries was born.
“About 85 percent of people who come to us are Mexican,” said DiGrazia. “They don’t identify as Latino. They’re Mexican. About 5 percent identify as Black and the rest are white. And it fluctuates over the years, but we have a lot of different programs.”
DiGrazia said she doesn’t like being singled out for awards.
“I think there’s a lot of work that still needs to be done in our neighborhood,” she said. “There are a lot of great signs of life. You know, the (Columbia Park) pool’s going to be done; we’ve got more green space for people to sit and play; hopefully there’s new housing going in, and new apartments, and possibly a new school. So, that’s exciting. But there’s always room for improvement.
“It’s a big honor, but there are still big things to be done.”
DiGrazia said she remains as driven as she’s ever been.
“What drives me is that every single day a child that has a need we some way find a way to fill,” said DiGrazia. “Whether it’s going outside in the garden and picking something, learning to cook, expanding their mind and heart and learning the Bible, getting off the street and going into our cafe, finding a space to play and to do homework … there’s nothing like providing a safe space for children.”
Chiesa has known DiGrazia for all his time in public office and has seen the results firsthand.
"She’s got a special ability with kids,” said Chiesa. “You see her trying to divert them out of a lot of issues. And then there’s extracurricular activities that help keep people on the right path. She’s truly a remarkable person.”
Sunshine Sakuda, Westside’s youth and communications director, grew up in the ministry and has known DiGrazia virtually her entire life.
“I did Wild Wednesday, I did dance, I did Teen Club, I did 4-H for about year,” said Sakuda. “JoLynn’s not just my pastor and my director, but she’s discipled me and been my mentor. She’s been so influential in my life, with choices I’ve made and the skills I’ve developed being here and under her wing at Westside Ministries. It’s been incredible.”
