
Yulitzi Vizcarra, MS '25
Building Connections: A Summer with Nuestra Casa and the Ravenswood Water System
This summer, I stood at the heart of a community project that forever changed the way I view water systems and public engagement. I spent the past few months working as a Partnerships for Climate Justice in the Bay Area Fellow with Nuestra Casa, a non-profit organization devoted to improving water quality and infrastructure in an underserved community. My most eye-opening experience came from my involvement in the Ravenswood Business District (RBD) initiative in East Palo Alto.
RBD, an area covering roughly 200 acres including the historic Four Corners region, was established in 1990 and has since become a key area of development. Nestled in East Palo Alto, this neighborhood is emblematic of both opportunity and struggle, as the assessed property value grew from $36.7 million in 1990 to $96.2 million in 2009. However, this rapid growth highlighted a stark issue: an aging water infrastructure system. The Ravenswood/Four Corners Development Specific Plan outlines a vision for sustainable growth in the area, but the necessary infrastructure improvements come with a price tag of $137 million.
The water infrastructure here is outdated and inadequate. A complete overhaul is desperately needed, but getting buy-in from the community and stakeholders required more than technical plans—it required communication, trust, and collaboration. My role was to help organize and facilitate a community workshop, a key event that would serve as a bridge between the technical complexities of the project and the everyday concerns of the residents.
Nuestra Casa’s mission is to ensure that communities, especially those that have been historically marginalized, have access to clean and reliable water. In RBD, this mission was critical. Water is not just a utility; it's the foundation of public health and economic growth. The challenge was ensuring that the community understood why these upgrades were essential and how they would benefit them in the long run.
As the workshop drew closer, I found myself wrestling with the challenge of explaining complex technical concepts in ways that would resonate with a diverse audience. I created visual aids, simplified the engineering jargon, and rehearsed how to make this information accessible. The room was filled with people—from local residents and Sierra Club members to other NGOs, local officials, and consultants—all with questions and concerns about how these changes would impact their lives.
The workshop was an enlightening experience. It wasn’t just about providing information; it was about creating a dialogue. Residents shared their anxieties about potential disruptions, gentrification, and the economic ripple effects, along with hopes for a more reliable water system. I witnessed firsthand the power of community engagement. It was not enough to just present facts—people wanted to be heard, to feel that their input mattered. And it did.
I’ll never forget one resident’s poignant reflection during the workshop: “Water isn’t just something we turn on—it’s tied to our livelihoods, our jobs, and how we care for our families.”
That moment underscored for me the human side of infrastructure work. This wasn’t just about pipes and valves. It was about giving people a voice in shaping their future.
As the public commenting period wrapped up, the feedback we received helped shape the final recommendations for the project. The workshop wasn’t just a one-time event; it set the tone for ongoing conversations about transparency and accountability. The process reaffirmed my belief that successful infrastructure projects must blend technical rigor with active public participation.
Looking back on my time with Nuestra Casa and the RBD project, I now see how essential community engagement is to the success of infrastructure work. Clear communication is the foundation for building trust, and trust is the foundation for progress. I came away from this summer with a deep appreciation for the intersection of engineering and community needs.
As I continue my studies and career, this experience will stay with me. It’s not just about solving technical problems—it’s about listening, learning, and leading with empathy. This summer has transformed the way I think about public service, and I’m committed to carrying these lessons forward as I work to create sustainable, equitable water systems for communities like Ravenswood and beyond.