The True Cost of a Car Wash

Part of running a nonprofit media outlet with only one staffer (hi!) involves finding the right balance between all the pitches The Latino Newsletter gets on a weekly basis (yes, it feels like the early days of Latino Rebels) and determining which ones deserve more editorial attention.

I will say that when the team at WorkingNation sent me a pitch about its new “Hispanic Communities: Power a New American Economy” documentary series, I was intrigued. Having covered our communities for years, I have always sought story ideas that push the narrative.

Then I watched “The True Cost of a Car Wash,” the series’ debut video, and I felt I wanted to learn more about why WorkingNation did the series now, besides it being Hispanic Heritage Month.

I connected with Melissa Panzer, WorkingNation’s Executive Producer, to learn more about the series. Here is what we discussed.

Julio Ricardo Varela: What is WorkingNation, and what is your mission as a nonprofit media company?

Melissa Panzer: WorkingNation is a journalism and documentary company focused on telling human stories that show American workers how to be better prepared for the future demands of a fast-changing economy. We point to real issues and then solutions to show people the pathways to life-sustaining careers and better-equipped communities. We focus on many groups of people who we call “untapped talent pools.” These are groups that are ready to step into work but perhaps need access to the training necessary for opportunities. 

JRV: Why this series now? What do you want people to learn about?

MP: As the Hispanic and Latino population in the U.S. grows, and as the largest population of younger workers available in this country, we face some major issues. Hispanic and Latino workers are overrepresented in certain industries and underrepresented in others, reflecting both opportunities and disparities in the labor market. In general, they make up the largest percentages in some of the lowest wage jobs in this country. We need these folks in our economy, and we believe they could be the future of a healthy middle class in the U.S. But the training and access issues in this country are real. Digital literacy, which will be necessary in most jobs in the future, remains lower in these communities.

But as the media discusses these groups, they are often put into one group instead of understanding the cultural differences of different communities. So WorkingNation undertook the process of telling the stories of different demographics and geographies to talk about their culture, access to training, and the solutions that exist for them. We hope in compilation, this series gives hope to the growing and valuable populations in the U.S. 

JRV: Talk to me about the Car Wash episode. Why a car wash? And what will people get out of it by watching? 

MP: The car wash episode shines a light on an industry that most people pass by without much thought, yet it’s representative of deeper, systemic issues in low-wage labor. We chose to focus on car washes because they’re a clear example of where exploitation —particularly wage theft— is rampant, and the workers, many of whom are Latino, are often invisible to the general public.

By focusing on the Clean Car Wash Campaign in Los Angeles, we’re able to explore the larger story of how community organizations are stepping in to advocate for these workers, pushing for fair wages, safer conditions, and respect for their rights.

Watching this episode, people will come away with a clearer understanding of how low-wage industries operate and why these stories matter. It’s not just about cleaning cars. It’s about the dignity of work, the fight for labor rights, and the very real human impact of exploitation in industries that are often overlooked. The episode aims to provoke thought about how we value workers in our economy and what can be done to ensure fair treatment for all.

JRV: The brain drain in Puerto Rico is serious and has been happening for years now. What did WorkingNation learn from this topic?

MP: It is true that the brain drain concept is not a new concept for Puerto Rico. There has been the ongoing emigration of highly educated, skilled professionals from the island, accelerated by a combination of economic, social, and political factors, but there are also young people leaving in an attempt to get an education or the skills for better jobs. It impacts Puerto Rico's economy and social fabric, but this film is about how Hurricane María and other storms can exacerbate this issue. 

The catastrophic damage from Hurricane María wiped out a lot of Puerto Rico’s infrastructure, housing, and power grid. Professionals were among the first to depart, seeking stability and better opportunities elsewhere. The slow recovery and inadequate federal support further fueled migration. Post-María, the already struggling infrastructure deteriorated further, including schools, hospitals, and public utilities. Many skilled workers, particularly in healthcare and engineering, left due to the island’s inability to provide stable working conditions.

By focusing on green jobs, which can mitigate this form of disaster in future storms, we can show that entrepreneurs can approach the rebuilding of community while also creating a system that supports the creation of new and better jobs. 

JRV: What are the misperceptions that you want to dispel with this series? Is it working?

MP: The key misperception we want to dispel is the idea that personal resilience and success stories are enough to overcome systemic barriers. Many people believe that if individuals work hard enough, they will rise to the top, but we’re showing that while Latino workers and professionals are climbing the ladder, their success is often despite the system, not because of it. The series reveals that larger structural issues (like wage theft, lack of access to education, and limited opportunities for advancement) continue to hold people back, even as they achieve personal victories.

Another misperception we’re addressing is that the struggles of low-wage workers and professionals in fields like healthcare are unrelated. By featuring stories across different sectors, we’re highlighting how these issues are connected. Whether it’s a doctor facing limited career mobility or a car wash worker dealing with wage theft, the challenges stem from the same structural inequalities that need to be addressed on a larger scale.

As for whether it’s working, we believe the series is making an impact. Viewers are starting to see the pattern. Individual success doesn’t always translate into broader systemic change. By showcasing both the successes and the ongoing challenges, the series is encouraging people to rethink their assumptions about hard work, opportunity, and the need for structural support to truly level the playing field for Latinos across all industries.

JRV: What else is missing from the issue that people know about?

MP: What’s often missing from the conversation is the understanding that systemic barriers affect not just the lowest-wage workers but also those in professional roles. People might assume that once someone becomes a doctor, lawyer, or business owner, they’ve “made it,” but the reality is that even in these professions, Latinos face hurdles like limited access to mentorship, career advancement, and funding opportunities. There’s also a lack of awareness about the cumulative effects of these barriers, where challenges in one area, like education or wages, can impact a person’s entire career trajectory.

In short, the conversation often stops at individual stories of resilience, but what’s missing is a broader understanding of the interconnected barriers and the collective action required to truly level the playing field.

What We’re Reading

Univision Town Hall Time: On Thursday night, Kamala Harris will make her Univision Town Hall appearance in Las Vegas. Adrian Carrasquillo filed the following story for POLITICO about expectations and concerns both from the Harris campaign and the Donald Trump campaign:

UnidosUS Nevada Poll: Speaking of Nevada, UnidosUS tweeted out its pre-election poll of Nevada Latinos.

El Nuevo Día’s Polls Are Out: Here we go. El Nuevo Día in Puerto Rico released its polls about Election Day.

About the Author

Julio Ricardo Varela is the founder and interim publisher of The Latino Newsletter.

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