Growing up an eldest daughter to Mexican immigrant parents in California, I learned to navigate the world on my own very early on. I was parentified at a young age and dealt with abusive situations I could no longer stand at home, which led to me moving out while still in high school, dealing with mental health challenges, and eventually experiencing homelessness in both California and into my move to Seattle. 

There were many accomplishments I was so grateful for as well. During this time, I graduated high school 6 months earlier than expected, had my own car, worked full-time, and lived independently for a couple years before eventually experiencing homelessness. 

I was able to find a job that was well-paying, in the direction I wanted to go, and helped me stabilize during the time I moved to Seattle. Finally after finding resources, I was able to reestablish housing in a new city. 

I wasn't homeless for long, but for anyone, one day is too much.

After some reflection, I realized many of my struggles came from a lack of information, support, and accessibility. I had to learn how to find everything I needed to survive, and it was not and is still not easy. 

I kept going and trusted that it was all for the better.

Early in high school, I toured the Academy of Art’s Fashion program and was admitted to their pre‑college program. I told myself that becoming a professional was the only route for people like me. I could never afford a school like the Academy of Art, and I wasn’t educated on financial literacy or FAFSA.

That pushed me into exploring many different programs, which gave me experience in multiple worlds: cosmetology, hair styling, makeup, psychology, nursing, fashion, fine art, and visual communications.

I have worked in healthcare administration and operations for the past seven years. It took time to work my way up, and I am still doing so. 

Recently, I found an wonderful online fashion program through Clary Sage College in Oklahoma, where I earned my first completed Fashion Design Diploma. Yay!

 I am currently working on my Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration to better understand the healthcare system, understand business structures, and understand why the world is so obsessed with this system. This will help me uplift the community in different ways, fund Casa de Amor, and provide the best experience from multiple perspectives.

I have many educational goals, but my hope is to be part of a multicultural creative collaborative experience where not everything is defined by money, status, or race. 

I know you have struggled as I have.

 I truly believe everyone has basic needs that must be met, but not everyone has the same opportunities or access to education.

Casa de Amor exists because I don’t want people to have to figure everything out on their own.

I am building a collaborative space to make a meaningful impact not only on the creative world, but on the people around us.

In a world full of hate, choose to create anyway. Choose to imagine a better world, a more colorful world. I believe in you. I offer you my home.