Some places that I find community are Taqueria Mexico in Springdale. Taqueria Mexico has been around for such a long time and their food never disappoints. Another place is Mojitos. I love going there in the summer with friends and eating on the patio. 

I moved to NWA at the age of five from Aldama, Chihuahua Mexico in 1996. We drove about 19 hours to get here. This has been my home ever since, we would go back to visit every year since I still have family, grandpa, aunts, uncles and cousins, but after two weeks, I am always ready to come home. I remember when I moved here there were maybe 2-3 other students in my grade that spoke Spanish so it was a very difficult adjustment especially not knowing the language. I think being immersed in this type of environment forced me to learn English fairly quickly. I started in January of 1996 and by May I had already picked up a bit of the language. 

I attribute my spirit of caring to my grandma Fabiola, my father’s mother. She was always so optimistic and happy, always grateful for everything she had. She had a very difficult childhood becoming an orphan before the age of 10. You would never have thought she had such a difficult childhood, she was always so kind, loving, and always had a huge smile. I always remember she made all of her grandchildren feel like we were her favorite. She never made any one of us feel less, we were all special to her. I always remember my grandma waking up in a good mood, there is one saying she would say when she woke up that I always remember. She would say “fuerte, sana, feliz” which translates to “strong, healthy, happy.” She was the first loss I experienced at the age of 15 yet she is always present in my mind and in my heart. I also attribute this spirit of caring to my mom and dad. I grew up seeing the unconditional love they always gave me and they have always been so hardworking. My dad has always been so selfless and always helping others. His hobby is working on cars and being a mechanic―he would oftentimes give up his weekends and work outside in the heat or cold fixing these cars for friends and family. He works long hours of construction and has been with the same company for about 23 years. My mother has always been such a rock to me and a role model. She has helped me become the woman I am today, I hope that I can always make her proud and happy. She is now my best friend; she is my everything.

I am inspired by everything that Community Clinic does for the community.  There is a big need in NWA and Community Clinics’ mission to help has been so inspiring since day one. Since orientation and training, I have been astonished by how much they have helped and continue helping the underserved. We want everyone to have the same access to good quality health care. I look forward to going to work every day and talking to people and seeing if there are ways in which I can help.

I am passionate about human rights, civil rights, immigrant rights, everyone, regardless of race or religion, deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. We all need to be more kind to one another, we are all so much more similar than we are different. I am passionate about immigrant rights. I was born in Chihuahua, Mexico―people like my mother and father leave their countries for a better future for their children. People don’t leave their countries, families, language, customs, and culture for amusement. We leave our native countries because sometimes there are no other options. Unfortunately, our countries of origin can’t provide jobs that can help families sustain their children. I have the privilege to go back to Mexico every year―I love my country, I love my people, my culture, it just saddens me to see the disparities of how people live. There are very rich and then there are very poor. I always wish there were more resources available, better-paying jobs―that way everyone could provide good living conditions for their families.

One of the most important moments I am proud of is completing my Bachelor’s degree in International Studies with a concentration in European and Transatlantic Affairs. My parents gave up so much to come to this country, I wanted their hard work to pay off. I am here and I am the woman I am today because of them. My parents have always been my inspiration and of course my brothers.

I love all kinds of food, especially going out to eat with friends and family. 

• US Pizza
• Slim’s Chicken
• Mojito’s
• Mr. Taco Loco
• Taqueria Mexico
• Taqueria Michoacana
• Olive Garden

I don’t have a favorite song, I listen to all kinds of music from Country, Pop, and Latin Pop. 

I hope that we continue growing and becoming more united. I hope that we understand that we are all more similar than we think and that we can become more of a community and help others in need. I hope that we focus more on what we can do for others and how each person doing a little can do so much in a person’s life.