When Lydia Chavez Rogers and her husband packed up their lives in Texas and set out in search of a new home, they had no idea they would land in Monmouth, Illinois. They were looking for a diverse community, a strong school system, and a fresh start for their two young grandchildren, whom they have been raising since infancy.

They never expected to find a deeper, unexpected connection to Monmouth’s history—one tied to her husband’s ancestors.

“My husband jokes that we threw a dart at a map,” Lydia said. “But once we started learning more about this town, it started feeling like home in ways we didn’t even anticipate.”

Monmouth became a full-circle moment for her family. Through ancestry research, she and her husband discovered that his ancestors had lived in the area generations ago—a revelation that made their move feel less like a random decision and more like a homecoming they hadn’t known was waiting for them.

For Lydia, however, Monmouth wasn’t a return to family roots, but rather a new chapter in a life defined by resilience, advocacy, and the pursuit of connection.

Born in Indiana, Lydia’s story is one shaped by migration, cultural identity, and a deep sense of responsibility toward others.

Her father was from Mexico, and her mother’s family had been in Texas long before it became part of the United States. Her parents were migrant farmworkers, traveling across the country, following the seasons and harvests, working long hours to provide for their children.

That upbringing instilled in her a profound respect for hard work and an early understanding of the challenges that come with language barriers, access to education, and navigating unfamiliar systems.

Even as a child, Lydia was an advocate before she had the words to describe it. At just twelve years old, she was sent to interpret at a hospital for a grieving father who had lost a child to stillbirth. It was a moment that stayed with her forever—one that would shape the way she approached community, connection, and the responsibility of helping others be seen and heard.

“I was just a kid,” she recalled. “But looking back, I realize how much those early experiences prepared me for the work I do now.”

Since moving to Monmouth, Lydia has become deeply embedded in the school district, originally stepping into a role through her grandson Liam’s special education needs.

Liam, now in second grade, was diagnosed with autism, and when Lydia attended an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meeting to advocate for him, she found herself unexpectedly pulled into a greater role within the school community.

“The school was so proactive in supporting him,” she said. “And after that first meeting, they asked if I’d ever consider working with them in some capacity.”

That conversation led to her becoming an interpreter for the district, helping Spanish-speaking families navigate IEP meetings, school communications, and parent-teacher conferences.

But Lydia sees herself as more than just a translator.

“There’s a difference between interpreting words and actually communicating,” she said. “Sometimes, there isn’t a direct translation for a term, and you have to bridge that gap—not just in language, but in understanding.”

Her ability to connect with families on a personal level—especially those facing the challenges of special education, cultural adjustments, and school advocacy—has made her a trusted resource for parents navigating a complex system.

And as a grandmother raising two young boys, she understands their concerns firsthand.

Beyond her role in the school district, Lydia is also an active participant in the broader Monmouth community, particularly in the arts and cultural representation.

She played a key role in organizing the first-ever Día de los Muertos celebration at the Buchanan Center for the Arts, an event that brought together families, artists, and community members to honor a deeply meaningful tradition.

“I met people who had never stepped foot in the art center before,” she said. “They didn’t think it was a place for them. But art is for everyone—it’s about connection, about seeing yourself represented in your community.”

That belief in creating spaces where everyone feels welcome is what drives Lydia, whether she’s helping a parent navigate their child’s IEP, leading cultural events, or simply showing up to make a difference.

For Lydia, Monmouth was supposed to be a place to raise her grandchildren, a quiet town where they could grow up surrounded by a caring community. But in just four years, it has become so much more.

She and her husband, now affectionately known at school as “Honey and Papa”, have woven themselves into the fabric of this town, creating relationships that extend far beyond the classroom.

“When we moved here, I told my husband, ‘If this is where they’re going to grow up, then this is going to be home. And we’re going to be part of it.’”

And through her work, her advocacy, and her unwavering belief in the power of connection, Lydia Chavez Rogers has done just that.