At one time, Hector* had enjoyed his childhood growing up in Guatemala. With two parents and siblings surrounding him, he was able to go to school and stay relatively safe and cared for. But, when Hector was 12, his father suffered a stroke and passed away. This loss began to cause his family dynamic to shift - life would no [...]
Dear Friends, Exec Director Carmen M Chavez, Esq. (left) and Co-Founders Sr. Mary Wayne Gradon, SHCJ and Ann M Durst, SHCJ (right) are honored on stage at the 25th Anniversary Celebration & 2018 La Mancha Awards. With the start of the New Year comes the promise of new beginnings. I am excited to embrace 2020 and all that [...]
For the past few years, the English-speaking region of Cameroon has experienced violent conflict with the French-speaking government military. Both sides of this fight have committed many human rights abuses and put innocent people in the cross-hairs. It is in this environment that a small convenience store owner named Kwamba* was raising his children. As a child himself, Kwamba had [...]
Growing up in Brazil, Paulo* was taught conservative Christian values by his family. From a young age, they instilled in him that being gay was wrong. But despite these beliefs, he could not deny his feelings towards boys throughout childhood. This conflict within was very difficult for Paulo’s mental and emotional health. The trauma was increased when, at a very [...]
Growing up in a small Guatemalan town with his parents and two younger siblings, Gabriel* had a quiet, simple childhood. But everything changed when his father passed away from cancer. Gabriel’s mother had a serious heart condition and could not take care of him on her own. Though she tried her best to support her family, Gabriel eventually had to [...]
Patrick* grew up in a small village on the outskirts of a city in Cameroon. He was introduced to political advocacy at a young age through his father’s involvement in the Anglophones’ (English-speaking individuals) peaceful separatist movement. While he gained an understanding of his part in this movement, he was also able to follow his passion and earn a certificate in theatre, specializing in youth development. Through [...]
At the young age of fifteen, Josefina* left the Mexican countryside to live with her older brother in the United States. She had built a life for herself in San Diego by the time a man named Eric* entered her world. A mutual friend set Josefina and Eric up. They began messaging each other through social media, and started seeing [...]
Yoselin* grew up in Guatemala enduring abuse and neglect from her grandparents. At just 13, she was subject to enslavement and violence by her boyfriend and his family. After fleeing to the U.S., she was able to gain legal status through Casa Cornelia's Children's Program and now lives a life full of joy and possibilities with her uncle and cousins. Yoselin* [...]
