ATLANTA — With a new presidential administration on the way, many are looking ahead to how it might impact them.
The Georgia Vote continues to work to keep the voices of everyday Georgians at the center of the political conversation. 11Alive met up with Juana Alzaga at the Latin American Association for this week's Voice of the Voter.
Alzaga founded the Buford Highway Orchestra Project, which provides music opportunities to kids of mostly-immigrant families. She shared the biggest issues she hopes political leaders tackle in the new year.
Meet Buford Highway Orchestra Project founder Juana Alzaga
Juana Alzaga said the Buford Highway Orchestra Project was born during the pandemic.
"Our community, most of them don't have the credit nor the means to even rent an instrument, let alone private lessons," said Alzaga.
Students enrolled in third, fourth or fifth grades in public school can participate in the project. The children who are a part of the program also have to qualify for free or reduced lunch. Alzaga explained the program is designed for kids who wouldn't otherwise have an opportunity to play an instrument.
"I'm not only teaching music to these children," she said. "I'm opening doors to education."
Casting her ballot in the 2024 election, biggest issues
There was one main thing top of mind for Alzaga when she went to vote in November.
"I was thinking about saving and continuing this wonderful experiment called democracy," she said.
There are a few big issues she wants the nation's leader to tackle.
"My biggest thing is global warming [and] being a part of NATO," Alzaga said. "And of course, immigration."
At the very top of her list, though, was immigration reform that created "a path to citizenship."
What she hopes to see in the future
Alzaga expressed what things she's optimistic for.
"I think it's not only my community but institutions like ACLU, human rights commissions, are going to stand up because it is our democracy, it's United States. It's we who make this great country. There's nothing to be fixed. This is already a great country," she said