Meet Rachel ~ Conoce a Rachel
Rachel Hernandez is a Stanislaus County native who has devoted her career and education to serving underserved populations and the community. She served as the Vice Mayor of the City in 2023 and is the elected City Councilmember of District 2 - in the heart of the city of Riverbank.
For over 10 years, she has volunteered and worked with various groups and organizations to build equity around underserved communities. Here is some of what she is up to currently!
- Board of Directors - Boys and Girls Club of Stanislaus County
- Vice Chair - Policy Committee of CalCities
- Board of Directors - CADEM API Caucus
- Primary Committee - Friends of Jacob Myers Park
During her first few months on the city council, she led Love Riverbank which successfully brought more than $170,000 to downtown small businesses! She continues that advocacy by bringing together the voices of residents and local small businesses - many who speak mainly Spanish - community partners, and many others.
Her commitment to the community has included work in philanthropy that has uplifted non-profits and neighborhood groups, health care that has promoted inclusivity and accessibility, and social services such as support for survivors of domestic violence, homelessness, and other underserved populations. She earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees at Stanislaus State. Now, she is a professor of US Politics at Modesto Junior College where she is teaching students the importance of civic engagement and critical thinking.
Rachel is committed to bringing EVERY voice to the table as the Mayor of Riverbank so that we all thrive in the community we call home. Join us!
Get Involved ~ Involucrarse
We are in this together! Please sign up to get involved with the campaign or send me a message about what you feel Riverbank needs.
¡Estamos en esto juntos! Quiero saber de ti. Regístrese para participar en la campaña o envíeme un mensaje sobre lo que cree que Riverbank necesita.
My Priorities ~ Mis Prioridades
Housing and Neighborhoods ~ Viviendas y la Vecindad
It is no secret that the impacts of the cost of housing across the State is spilling into our local communities. By simplifying bureaucratic red tape, we can help expand the production of all housing types and allow developers to work with the community to support our City in becoming a better place to work, live, and play in. My plan is to build and foster relationships with developers that care about the unique character of our community, our parks, and the diversity in our community and small businesses. The walkability of our community is a priority - beautiful bike and pedestrian pathways, road surface quality, and meaningful public transportation in all parts of our city from the state streets, to Jacob Myer's Park, Crossroads, and everything in between.
No es un secreto que los impactos del costo de la vivienda en todo el estado se están extendiendo a nuestras comunidades locales. Al simplificar la burocracia, podemos ayudar a expandir la producción de todo tipo de viviendas y permitir que los desarrolladores trabajen con la comunidad para ayudar a nuestra Ciudad a convertirse en un mejor lugar para trabajar, vivir y jugar. Mi plan es construir y fomentar relaciones con desarrolladores que se preocupan por el carácter único de nuestra comunidad, nuestros parques, y la diversidad en nuestra comunidad y pequeñas empresas. Ser más consciente de la transitabilidad de nuestra comunidad es una prioridad, como los hermosos senderos para bicicletas y peatones, la calidad de la superficie de las carreteras y el transporte público significativo en todas las partes de nuestra ciudad desde las calles del downtown, hasta Jacob Myer's Park, Crossroads y todo lo demás.
Economy ~ Economía
Small locally owned businesses find it harder and harder to maintain their foothold in the economy. Working together to support and uplift existing and new businesses is the best way to move forward - in my first month of office I led efforts to come together to ensure COVID-19 RAD Card funds stayed in our community (ask me about this)! By streamlining and creating transparent permitting processes, we can ensure access for all. I will work to create opportunities to expand the growth of small businesses and established businesses that align with the community, keeping in mind what makes Riverbank the "small town community" feel we love. This includes bringing livable paying jobs to Riverbank in the Industrial Complex so that our neighbors do not have to commute to make a living to live in our wonderful community. Actively being involved with the economic development of our city will allow positive growth for us to THRIVE in Riverbank.
A las pequeñas empresas locales les resulta cada vez más difícil mantener su presencia en la economía. Trabajar juntos para apoyar y mejorar las empresas nuevas y existentes es la mejor manera de avanzar; esto lo demostre en mi primer mes como consejera cuando nos unimos para garantizar que los fondos de la tarjeta RAD COVID-19 permanecieran en nuestra comunidad (pregúnteme sobre esto)! Al simplificar y crear procesos de obtención de permisos transparentes, podemos garantizar el acceso para todos. Trabajaré para crear oportunidades para expandir el crecimiento de las pequeñas empresas y las empresas establecidas que se alineen con la comunidad, teniendo en cuenta lo que hace que Riverbank sea la "comunidad de pueblo pequeño" que amamos. Esto incluye traer empleos que pagan mejor a Riverbank en el Complejo Industrial para que nuestros vecinos no tengan que desplazarse para ganarse la vida y vivir en nuestra maravillosa comunidad. Estar involucrado activamente en el desarrollo económico de nuestra ciudad nos permitirá un crecimiento positivo para PROSPERAR en Riverbank.
Community Engagement ~ Participación en la Comunidad
Community engagement is an action. Embracing the diversity of our community and businesses will encourage a more holistic approach to leading the city in creating a sustainably safe and healthy place to live. I will be proactive for our youth, families, seniors, and those that are typically underserved by putting people first to ensure inclusivity and sustainability. My priorities include creating and fostering partnerships to create liveable-wage paying jobs so that our residents can live and work close to home. I have done this during my time on council by advocating for inclusive decision-making and solutions-based approaches. From small business, to the school districts, veterans services, renters and homeowners, and our community as a whole - I will ensure that we work together in creating a community that includes us all.
La participación comunitaria es una acción. Aceptar la diversidad de nuestra comunidad y empresas fomentará un enfoque más holístico para liderar a la ciudad en la creación de un lugar sostenible, seguro y saludable para vivir. Seré proactivo para nuestros jóvenes, familias, personas mayores y aquellos que normalmente están desatendidos, poniendo a las personas en primer lugar para garantizar la inclusión y la sostenibilidad. Mis prioridades incluyen crear y fomentar asociaciones para crear empleos remunerados con salarios dignos para que nuestros residentes puedan vivir y trabajar cerca de casa. Lo he hecho durante mi tiempo en el consejo, abogando por una toma de decisiones inclusiva y enfoques basados en soluciones. Desde las pequeñas empresas hasta los distritos escolares, los servicios para veteranos, los inquilinos y propietarios de viviendas, y nuestra comunidad en su conjunto, me aseguraré de que trabajemos juntos para crear una comunidad que nos incluya a todos.
Endorsements ~ Avales
LOCAL BUSINESSES:
Action Fitness
Beautiful Chaos Nails & Spa
Black Sheep
Central Valley Visuals
Del Rio Bar & Grill
Garcia’s Market
Galaxy Theatres Riverbank IMAX
Get Toasted
GNC Riverbank
Its the Day Studio
Jane Media Services
Los Originals
Lucky House
Moxie Salon
Palo Santo Cafe
Pit Stop - Riverbank
The Nutrition Zone
Ur Fav Florista
108 Sports Bar
LABOR & COMMUNITY GROUPS:
Riverbank's Firefighters - Stanislaus Consolidated Local 3399
Sheetmetal Workers Local 104
Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 442 (UA Local 442)
Carpenters Local 152 (Norcal Carpenters)
North Valley Building Trades
Laborers Local 1130
Operating Engineers Local 3
IBEW Local 684
IBEW 1245
Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local No. 3
Latinas Lead
Dolores Huerta Foundation
Fund Her
Working Families Party
Stronger Valley PAC
ELECTED OFFICIALS:
Virgina Madueno, Fmr. Mayor of Riverbank
Fiona Ma, CA State Treasurer
Marie Alvarado-Gil, State Senator
Channce Condit, Stanislaus County Supervisor
Mani Grewal, Stanislaus County Supervisor
Alex Lee State, State Assemblymember
Ash Kalra State, State Assemblymember
Reuben Esparza, President Modesto Firefighters
Sue Zwahlen, Mayor of Modesto
Chris Ricci, Modesto City Councilmember
Eric Alvarez, Modesto City Councilmember
Homero Mejia, Modesto City Schoolboard Member
John Cassellberry, Modesto City Schoolboard Member
Caity Maple, Sacramento City Councilmember
Karina Talamantes, Sacramento City Councilmember
Mikey Hothi, Lodi City Councilmember
Hippolito Cerros, Lindsey Mayor
Alexis Arrazola, Monterrey City Councilmember
Alexander Walker Griffin, Hercules Mayor
Chris Smith, Oakdale Councilmember
Kayleigh Gilbert, Oakdale Councilmember
Dan Arriola, Tracy City Council
Elizabeth "Lise"Talbott, Waterford City Councilmember
Donate ~ Done Aqui
This is our campaign. Your contribution will help us reach every part of the community to ensure everyone is heard.
Esta es nuestra campaña. Su contribución nos ayudará a llegar a cada parte de la comunidad para garantizar que todos sean escuchados.
Thank you to everyone that joined Rachel's launch event 01/26/24