From her roots, growing up in Sherman Heights, Venus Molina has fought to achieve every step forward for herself and for her community.
Each morning growing up, Venus rode the bus with her mother as she went from one private home to another as a housekeeper. Venus helped where she could before and after school and she saw the hardship of the work and the struggle of her family to make ends meet.
from the community,
For the Community
Venus was labeled as an ‘at-risk’ youth by the time she was in middle school. Luckily, she had the belief and support of a guidance counselor who helped her into the inaugural class of MANA de San Diego’s “Hermanitas” program. Under the tutelage of Latina leaders like Mayor Mary Salas and Elisa Sanchez, Venus was the first in her family to go to college.
She found a home and family at the Sherman Heights Community Center, which was her first job and place of safety and strength. The lessons she learned through the Center and the vibrant community that embraced Venus, has never left her heart and set her on a path to serve the people who make up District 8.
The impact of the MANA program and her childhood in Sherman Heights has guided her career and Venus has dedicated herself to community empowerment.
She has dedicated more than 20 years in government and nonprofit leadership roles. In that time, she has served in many capacities for several Councilmembers, including Chief of Policy for Councilmember Tony Young and Chief of Staff for Coucilmember Jennifer Cambpell.
She has also volunteered by leading the Board of Directors of several organizations like The City Heights Community Development Corporation and MANA de San Diego itself – making sure she continued the tradition that helped shape her.
As a single mother since her late 20s, Venus understands the challenges working-class families face, especially with the rising cost of living in San Diego. She has walked through these neighborhoods where she and her family still live and knows the critical need for more public safety personnel to keep our neighborhoods and businesses safe through collaboration.
VENUS BRINGS A FRESH APPROACH TO LEADERSHIP ROOTED IN COLLABORATION + RESULTS
She has the experience in City Hall and across the region to bring together residents, community leaders, business professionals, and legislators to move our neighborhoods forward.
