Interviewer
Korina Garcia
Project
Stories from the Chamizal Library
Summary of Interview
Charlene Carrasco details her childhood growing up in Segundo Barrio, El Paso, Texas. Carrasco spent most of her childhood in an adobe house her grandfather built close to St. Ignatius Church. Like many in the community, Carrasco experienced poverty and dangerous environments. Those who lived in the community during this time all experienced constant shootings, stabbings, and exposure to gang violence. Carrasco recalls living constantly aware of her surroundings with her family, even practicing safety measures during drive-bys. Carrasco states that as everyone in the community was in the same position, there was a strong sense of community as neighbors shared resources. Carrasco recounts a time when a neighbor generously made a batch of cookies specifically for her. Carrasco was mainly raised by her grandmother while her single mother worked numerous jobs. Her grandmother was heavily involved with the local church, participating in the church choir, and cooking for the churchgoers after mass. As Carrasco got older, she began attending Bowie High School. She recounts being involved in a multitude of school activities such as leadership positions, sports, and clubs. Though Carrasco moved away from the neighborhood, she made the decision to continue being a student at Bowie High School. When asked, Carrasco states there was something about the pride of being a student at Bowie. Carrasco has also worked over 24 years in law enforcement, beginning as a 911 dispatch caller. During her career, she has dealt with many traumatic and stressful situations, such as providing assistance during the 2019 El Paso Walmart Shooting as well as dealing with the aftermath of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas. She described that it was due to her difficult childhood that emotionally prepared herself for being in such a trauma-inducing line of work. Carrasco attributes her resilient nature to her faith, trusting that her grandparents serve as her protectors. Being outside of the bubble, Carrasco realized that outsiders only viewed kids from her neighborhood to be poor and dangerous. Though this is how those from the Chamizal area are stereotyped, Carrasco has fought hard to bring resources to the high schoolers by continuing to be involved as a Bowie Alumni.
Date of Interview
4-3-2026
Length of Interview
1:18:22
Interview Number
1836
Terms of Use
Unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Interview with Charlene Carrasco by Korina Garcia, 2026, "Interview No. 1836," Institute of Oral History, University of Texas at El Paso.