Being a successful individual in life is something that interests me. I'm not talking about being rich and owning a big house when I'm older, but being successful in what I do and what I choose to do when I'm older by knowing I did my job to lead others and show a good example, and helping others. This responsibility has shaped me into a more mature, resilient individual, as I’ve had to lead by example and support my family through challenges at a young age. Keeping my leadership and going to school just to show my siblings what a good role model I can be is something that I will always want to continue to do. I also want to help others who have also gone through rough patches in life, which is another reason why I want to become a social worker for kids. I would have loved it if someone had helped me when things fell apart after my sexual abuse. I would have loved to have known someone whom I knew was okay to talk to about the things that happened to me. Having that kind of supportive presence—someone trustworthy and trained to listen without judgment—can make a huge difference in starting to heal. These thoughts constantly motivate me to go beyond simply meeting expectations. They inspire a deeper sense of purpose, driving me to strive academically and personally. I strive to succeed not just for myself, but for children whose voices are often ignored or unheard. I know the importance of supporting those who have never had the opportunity to express their struggles. This sense of responsibility fuels my inspiration to be a positive individual and a source of strength for others. This is what interests me, helping and knowing that I did my job.

My name is Evelyn Estrada, and I was born in Newport Beach, California. I was raised in San Ysidro, California, a low-income community, with my family of 9 people in one household. I lived in Tijuana, Mexico, for about two years, and when I turned three, I moved to California, San Ysidro, in a trailer with my family. When I turned four, my parents divorced, and I was raised by my mom, who at the time worked very hard in a factory. Time passed, and I moved to a couple of states, like Washington and Mississippi. In 8th grade, I moved back to California and lived in San Diego from then on. In my freshman year of high school, I lived with my dad and met a lot of bad influences. I got caught smoking and ditching classes. I got one good outcome out of living with my dad, which was being introduced to a sport I had never played in my life, Lacrosse. My lacrosse journey continued when I moved back with my mom to San Ysidro, and from there on, I began to grow a passion for the sport. After freshman year, I was introduced to many other sports like Golf, Roller Hockey, basketball, track and field, and Flag football. This really opened my eyes as I was heading into a rough patch of my life; it kept me entertained and distracted from doing any bad things and from the trauma I went through when I was little. Ever since I moved back in with my mom, there has been nothing but a shortage in income. I went through a lot of struggles growing up, not just being poor, but having to deal with misuse and abuse. This inspired me to become someone to be able to help those who feel like they don't have anyone to talk to about their problems, or those who are scared of speaking up about their traumas. Going through traumas has encouraged me and inspired me to give to those who have also gone through the same things as me or similar situations. As I got older, I realized that my traumas had affected me. I didn't have many people to talk to, and I felt depressed. My single mother, who has always been there for me, inspired me to become someone to rely on after she got me the help I never knew I needed to become someone big and go study to be a social worker. Being awarded this scholarship would help me pursue my college dream and study to be a social worker. especially in the economy I live in, it is very much needed. With the low income, my family receives. Any help from all the scholarships I can get is appreciated.

Social issues and humanitarian causes often reveal how deeply connected our global community truly is. One social issue that I am especially passionate about is poverty—particularly how it affects low-income families, immigrants, and students. Living in San Ysidro, a community often associated with poverty, I have experienced and witnessed firsthand the many struggles caused by economic inequality. These struggles include limited access to education, housing instability, and the inability to afford basic necessities. These challenges don’t just affect individuals; they impact entire families and communities, creating cycles that are hard to break without meaningful support and change. One of the most heartbreaking things I have seen is how immigrants, especially those new to this country, often do not receive the help they need. Many arrive hoping for a better life, but instead are met with overwhelming challenges—no stable housing, limited access to food, very little clothing, and very few educational opportunities. Some don’t know where to turn, and many of the available resources are so limited or underpublicized that they are often inaccessible to the people who need them most. While there are churches and organizations that offer food or clothes, these places frequently run out of supplies. They also tend to go unnoticed because of poor outreach or limited funding. My own experience with housing has opened my eyes to how broken a system can be. At one point, I had to spend a night on the curb of a sidewalk waiting for the chance to apply for an apartment (section A for low-income families). I was just one of many people waiting in line, not even sure if we would be accepted. The demand for low-income housing is so high and the supply so low that people are forced to camp out for even the possibility of shelter. Section A housing is in such short supply that people wait months or even years to receive help. Living in San Ysidro, I have also witnessed the unfairness of an economy that favors the wealthy and leaves the poor struggling just to survive. Many people I know live paycheck to paycheck, doing everything they can to make ends meet. Students often have to work part-time or even full-time jobs to afford things like school uniforms, supplies, food, and transportation. This not only affects their academic performance but also their physical and emotional health. Some kids come to school wearing clothes that are worn out or don’t fit properly because their families simply can’t afford better. Others go hungry during the day or skip school to help support their families. These are not rare situations—they are an everyday reality for many of the people in my community. The root causes of poverty are fairly simple. Low wages, unaffordable housing, lack of job opportunities, and underfunded public services all play a role. In areas like San Ysidro, where the population is dense and resources are limited, these issues are even more magnified. On top of that, many families, like mine, live in multigenerational households because they can’t afford to live separately. I currently live in my grandmother’s house with my grandparents, uncles, cousin, mom, and siblings. My mom, siblings, and I all share one room. With only one source of income, we have no privacy and very little personal space. Studying or having friends over is nearly impossible. Even the kitchen, which might seem like an alternative space to focus, is often noisy and crowded. Despite all of this, I have also seen incredible resilience and support within the community. Churches and nonprofits do what they can to help struggling families. I’ve seen organizations give out food, clothes, and school supplies, but the demand is so great that resources run out quickly. Many organizations don’t have the funding or support they need to expand their services. Some of them go unnoticed simply because people don’t know they exist. This shows that while efforts are being made, there is still a long way to go. To truly address poverty, we need action on multiple levels. Individuals can start by volunteering, donating, or spreading awareness. Communities can organize local food drives, clothing donations, and school supply giveaways. Schools can provide free meals and support programs for students who are struggling. Local organizations should be better funded and more visible to those in need. However, the most significant change must come from government policy. Governments must invest more in affordable housing, raise the minimum wage to a livable standard, and ensure that all children have access to quality education regardless of their income level or zip code. If we want real change, it can’t just be about short-term relief—it has to be about long-term solutions. I understand the struggles of living in poverty because I’ve lived through them. I know what it’s like to share a room with your entire family, to worry about bills, to go without things that many take for granted. These experiences have shaped who I am and made me more determined to be part of the solution. I believe everyone deserves a fair chance at life, no matter where they come from or how much money they have. One day, I hope to give back to communities like mine by working in a field that allows me to advocate for low-income families. Whether that’s through social work, education, public policy, or community organizing, I want to be part of the fight against poverty. I want to help make resources more available, raise awareness about the issues, and help build systems that don’t just support people in crisis, but uplift them and provide opportunities for growth and success. In conclusion, poverty is not just about lacking money—it's the absence of opportunity, support, and basic human dignity. It affects people’s health, education, housing, and future opportunities. It is a problem that we cannot ignore. I believe that with compassion, persistence, and real systemic change, we can build a world where no one has to sleep on a sidewalk waiting for a home, where children don’t have to choose between school and survival, and where families like mine can live with hope. Until that day comes, I will continue to speak out, take action, and stand with my community—because no one should have to go through this alone.

One of the most important and transformative experiences in my life was surviving and processing the effects of abuse. For a long time, it was something I didn’t talk about—not because I wasn’t affected, but because I didn’t fully understand how deeply it had shaped me. I lived in an environment where I wasn’t allowed to talk about what I had gone through because the abuser was in my household. It was confusing, and at times, I questioned whether the pain I felt was even valid. But over time, as I began to confront my experiences and seek help, I gained a clearer understanding of myself, the world, and the importance of empathy and resilience in my community. Living through abuse challenged my sense of identity. I spent years learning how to make myself small—trying not to upset anyone, hiding my emotions, and internalizing blame for things that were never my fault. But the turning point came when I started opening up [to people I trusted] {in therapy} and realizing that what I experienced was not okay, and more importantly, not my fault. Therapy and supportive relationships helped me put words to what I had gone through. I learned about boundaries, self-worth, and how to slowly rebuild the confidence that had been chipped away. This experience taught me how powerful survival can be—and how much strength it takes to choose healing, especially when you've been taught to stay silent for such a long time. I began to understand that healing is not linear. There were days of progress and days of setbacks, but each step helped me reconnect with who I really am beneath the pain. It taught me the importance of self-compassion and the quiet courage it takes to keep going. My experience has also changed how I view others and the world. I’ve become deeply empathetic—not just toward other survivors, but to anyone going through invisible battles. I now understand that people often carry pain they don’t show, and I’ve made it a personal value to treat everyone with kindness and without judgment. I also believe strongly in advocacy and the importance of breaking the silence around abuse, especially for those who don’t yet feel safe enough to speak out. In my community, I’ve become someone people come to when they need to talk or feel heard. I try to create spaces where others feel safe, seen, and validated—something I once desperately needed myself. Whether it’s through volunteering, mentoring, or simply showing up for someone, I carry my experience not as a burden, but as a source of purpose. Surviving abuse changed my life—but healing from it gave me direction. It’s why I’m committed to building a future where people feel supported and empowered, even in their darkest moments. I no longer define myself by what I went through, but by how I’ve chosen to rise from it—and how I’ll use that strength to uplift others.