Meet Alejandra Griffet Coronel.  She is a Supervisor of Language Services at OSF HealthCare. She serves as a bridge between Latino communities and local service agencies, medical institutions, law enforcement entities, educational institutions, and businesses. Through the translation, interpretation, and training services she offers, she facilitates communication, encourage engagement, and provide information to enhance interactions between the Latino community and providers.

She was born Venezuelan but because of her mom’s job, they moved to US in 1998.  She is someone who cares so much about her mom since she’s an only child.

Thank you, Alejandra, for sharing your story with us and how you love Champaign-Urbana.

Questions:

Q: What inspired you or led you to your current career?

A: Being able to learn the language here and the culture, and I see many people in the situation where they came here but they don’t have the opportunity to learn the language. It is how I can help to make a way for Spanish people.

Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Champaign-Urbana, and what do you love there?

A: My favorite restaurant is the Cracker Barrel. When I became a US citizen, one of my friends asked me where she could take me out to celebrate? And I said, Cracker Barrel.  When I was still in Venezuela, I watched a lot of Western movie with my Grandpa and Cracker Barrel is everything and it’s like a magic place where you can see pictures of what American culture is.  What I love there is Fried chicken and Macaroni ‘n cheese, those are the best and if I had been born here probably, I would have been an obese child.

Q: How long have you lived or worked in Champaign-Urbana?

A: I’ve been here since 1998, so it’s been about 22 years.

Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in Champaign-Urbana?

A: Its hard to list just one person, but I think Bill Blixen, my first Supervisor and the first person where I learned about the heart of an American. He is a hard-working guy and he helped me to work here permanently. He also taught me about work ethics and being humble.

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?

A: I would love to go to Greece because I love the sea and the ocean. I also would like to see the beautiful architecture there.

Q: What advice would you give a crowd of people?

A: It is so important to not lose your identity. Just be yourself because everyone is unique, you are you and you can do whatever you want to do.

Q: What is something on your bucket list?

A: Get married is first on my list. I want also to do something for my mom before she can no longer remember things. It’s hard seeing someone you love, someone who works hard for you and then suddenly lose those memories.

Q: What current / former local business makes you the most nostalgic about Champaign-Urbana?

A: There’s a tree on University that has an impact to me because it’s like a sign saying that this is all I got. I love that area.

Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about Champaign-Urbana?

A: This community is family oriented. When we moved here, I felt that it was home.

Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?

A: Currently I am enrolled in Massage Therapy because my mom has fibromyalgia. I want to know more about how to massage properly so she doesn’t need to go to the hospital. One time, she asked me why I enrolled in it, so I answered that it was because of her. And then she told me to drop it because she doesn’t want me to touch her, but I am still doing it. So, my dream is to find a good place where I can massage my mom.

Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?

A: I love Fencing. It’s the sports that I enjoyed, and I did during my college years.

Q: What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?

A: Love, Comfort and Happiness.

Q: If you had a full-time staff member that was fully paid for, who would you choose? Chef, Housekeeper, Driver, Coach, Physical Fitness Trainer, or Nanny?

A: Physical Fitness Trainer. I used to have one and I love it.