Can you tell us something about yourself?

I was born in a small town in Michoacan, Mexico, where we spoke an indigenous language, and that was the only language I spoke when I came to the US. When I was enrolled in elementary school at the age of six, I had to learn both Spanish and English.

Why do you think school became a safe space for you?

I was able to find a lot of help to help me grow and learn. For example, I would go and hang out in the principal’s office, while I waited for my mom to pick me up. There were smaller kids that would ask me for help, and I always enjoyed helping them there, I really loved sharing and learning together. Then in high school, there were different courses I enrolled in, like welding, construction, and auto-mechanic class – and I really enjoyed those hands-on classes. In Community College, I was able to explore different fields, and I’m currently studying engineering. I’ve always managed to find teachers and mentors who help me grow as a person. I think that’s why I consider school like my home.

What does home mean to you?

Home is a place where you’re safe to learn, and you don’t have to be afraid to make mistakes, or to ask questions.

What was your first impression of the place you now call home, Dave and Rosie’s home?

I was amazed when I first drove through the gate to come and work here. And then they told me that they built the house themselves. I was so impressed. I remember when I first started working, there was something that needed to be fixed, and I needed to dig around to expose the wood. But I accidentally hit the irrigation pipe and water started leaking all over the place. I kind of panicked, and I ran up and found Dave to tell him about the disaster. And what he said has always stuck with me: he told me: “It’s OK, there’s no water running right now, but we can turn it off from the main valve and then I can show you how to fix that pipe.” So this was my first big mistake, and he didn’t get angry at all. He used it as a teaching experience, and that was the moment he introduced the “We” concept. So it wasn’t that “I” broke the pipe, it was that “we” broke it, and “we” had to fix it. This made me feel safe with them from the very beginning.

How has living with Rosie and your fiancée affected your relationship to home?

I guess I’m just able to express myself more. I’m free to listen to any type of music, make content for my YouTube channel LiveWithRulis. If I’m studying a lot, there’s no problem with that. There’s a lot of space and they provide me with electricity, so I get to use my 3D printer without any trouble. Rosie is like my mother and my grandmother in one person. She’s very special.

Where do you feel safest and most at home?

My fiancée and I used to live in the city, and even though it was a small city it was still very loud and busy. Here, our home is in the country. All you hear is the birds or animals, and we’re allowed to hang out with our dogs in the yard. My favorite place to spend time is in the garden. We also have a very cozy living room where there’s a fireplace and some reclining chairs, and I hang out there a lot, too.