Photo Galleries »

Custodians

Laura Gonzalez, a full-time custodian at Pine Ridge Middle School for a special needs children class, leaves her home for work from a neighborhood off of Golden Gate Parkway as the sun rises on June 17, 2008. Gonzalez, originally from Cuba, is not sure whether she will continue to be a custodian if Collier County decides to outsource the work to GCA Service Group. Greg Kahn/Staff

Photo by GREG KAHN

Laura Gonzalez, a full-time custodian at Pine Ridge Middle School for a special needs children class, leaves her home for work from a neighborhood off of Golden Gate Parkway as the sun rises on June 17, 2008. Gonzalez, originally from Cuba, is not sure whether she will continue to be a custodian if Collier County decides to outsource the work to GCA Service Group. Greg Kahn/Staff

Buy this photo

Photo Rating:
Gallery Rating:

  • Every morning, Laura Gonzalez, left, a full-time custodian at Pine Ridge Middle School for a special needs children class, brings her mother Eusebea Moy, 73, a cup of Cuban coffee. Moy lives with her daughter, and depends on her for financial support. Gonzalez is worried that if custodial services for Collier County Schools is outsourced, she will not be able to support her family as she does now. Greg Kahn/Staff
  • Laura Gonzalez, left, a full-time custodian at Pine Ridge Middle School for a special needs children class, fixes coffee for breakfast as her nephew, Miguel Sanchez, a part-time custodian, eats a sandwich before heading off to work. Greg Kahn/Staff
  • Christmas cards and letters from students and staff pile up at the home of Laura Gonzalez, a full-time custodian at Pine Ridge Middle School for a special needs children class. The class means a lot to Gonzalez, 45, because she was formerly a special needs student teacher for 13 years in her native country of Cuba. Greg Kahn/Staff
  • Laura Gonzalez, a full-time custodian at Pine Ridge Middle School for a special needs children class, leaves her home for work from a neighborhood off of Golden Gate Parkway as the sun rises on June 17, 2008. Gonzalez, originally from Cuba, is not sure whether she will continue to be a custodian if Collier County decides to outsource the work to GCA Service Group. Greg Kahn/Staff
  • Frank Amador, head custodian at Golden Gate High School, center, relaxes with his daughter Veronica, 9, right, and wife Murrah, left. Most of Amador's family are custodians, including his mother and father. Greg Kahn/Staff
  • Frank Amador, head custodian at Golden Gate High School, center, plays catch with his daughter Veronica, 9, right, in his front yard at his home in Golden Gate on June 19, 2008. Amador, 40, said he will take a job with GCA Services Group if custodial work is outsourced by the school board in a vote to be held in Sept. Greg Kahn/Staff

What is life like for Collier County custodians. And how do they feel about the possibility of losing their jobs. Will they go with the new company, or will they find a new job? Or retire? These are questions on the minds of many custodial workers, workers such as Laura Gonzalez and Frank Amador and their families.

Related Stories for Custodians

Comments on this photo » 0

Be the first to post a comment!

Share your thoughts

Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.

Comments can be shared on Facebook and Yahoo!. Add both options by connecting your profiles.

Features