I'm running from debt like it's the plague! I've worked hard to change generational debt and bad relationships with money passed down from my mother. As a full-time, working mom of two, and a full-time student living in Los Angeles, CA, being a good steward of my finances is very important to me. I enrolled and completed a Financial Peace University course and learned the fundamentals of budgeting, debt reduction, and healthy habits for finances. In the last few years, I've eliminated over $50,000 of debt just by chipping away at it, working hard, being intentional, changing habits, learning healthy money management, being disciplined and focused, and knowing that I'm working to leave a legacy of health and abundance for my two children. I'm nearly debt-free except for my car and many student loans. My hope is to not have to take on additional student loan debt as I still have four semesters left to graduate. I've applied for scholarships, picked up additional skills to work side jobs, and aim to stay focused and disciplined. Paying for school is one of my most significant challenges, as I don't have grants available to me anymore. My desire is to continue as a full-time student, but the school expenses threaten that. I've managed to stay above water and continue to pursue my goals and dreams so that my children know they can too. I'm almost forty, and it's crucial for me that they know it's never too late to attempt and be successful. My plan is to address my current and future student loan debt the same way I approached other debt. I made a plan, wrote a list, stayed focused, and chipped away little by little. With consistency, it is possible to live debt free. I'm continuing on my journey. I don't eat out much, I cook my own meals at home, I don't shop much or take on subscriptions I don't need, and I have ZERO credit card debt (I'm really proud of that lol). I work hard. I'm intentional about staying on top of my budget, and I don't ever give up or give in. I believe that I can push through, that my efforts to overcome are not in vain, and that I will graduate and be free of student loan debt someday.

I was sold and left for dead multiple times. As a child and young adult, I fell victim to the dark world of child sex trafficking in Los Angeles. After spending seven years suffering, forced drug addiction, homelessness, unspeakable abuse, and complete hopelessness, I was able to escape and have another chance at life. At twenty-one, I picked up the pieces of my life and rebuilt what the world robbed me of. On my own, with no family, no friends, and no support system, it took me a decade to overcome the residual trauma, depression, PTSD, and anxiety that was left behind. After healing, I found my calling and purpose in advocacy and mentorship. Today I get to mentor, guide, love, and walk with youth victims of human trafficking and exploitation in the same county and cities that stole my innocence over twenty years ago. I support youth in their journey toward rescue, restoration, and abundant life. As a mentor, I not only get to share my story of resilience and redemption, but I get to show the youth that they can do it too. The impact I hope to have through mentorship of abused and mistreated children is that they would come to know that they are not what's happened to them. I hope to continue to show up when everyone else walks away, so they know they are worthy of love, life, and healing. I hope to plant seeds of faith, encouragement, and light. I hope to be who I needed and that the youth would be impacted immensely by knowing that even if the world turned their back on them, there is one person who didn't. I hope to help them find their inner child and experience trust and joy again.

Twenty-four years ago, I was a slave, held captive just five miles from the University campus I attend today. As a young naïve girl, desperate for love and acceptance, I fell victim to the unforgiving streets of South LA. At fourteen years old, a 45-year-old woman became my trafficker. What followed was the complete mental and emotional destruction of everything I knew to be true. My self-worth and value were the most affected. Kept under lock and key, forcibly drugged on a daily basis, denied food, water, and showers. I was given a new identity complete with a new name and birthdate. For the next ten months, I was bought and sold to the highest bidder for sex. The lies she told me had become my personal truth and they kept me in bondage even when the door was wide open for me to free myself. After a terrifying escape, I shamefully fell into the shadows of LA's forgotten children community. A runaway, drug addict, juvenile delinquent, and lost soul. I spent my teenage years in survival mode and angry with the world for my misfortune. I bounced around from foster homes, juvenile halls, and group homes. Eventually, I stopped going to school. I lost my faith in humanity after seeing and experiencing unimaginable suffering at the hands of traffickers and buyers. Once I turned eighteen and exited the foster system, again a victim. I was trafficked through strip clubs until I was twenty-one. Many near-death experiences brought me to a ledge. A second escape from a ruthless underground world saved my life. At twenty-one, I picked up the pieces and attempted to rebuild. I didn't want to be a victim anymore, and I fought tooth and nail to drop that identity. I started from nothing, learning life skills, job skills, self-control, independence, and responsibility. I went back to school to get my high school diploma and enrolled in junior college. Rebuilding was challenging. On most days, I felt defeated. I decided to attend therapy and go through the process of unpacking and grieving all that had been holding me captive. The adversity I endured kept me in bondage for years until I chose to fight for my life and future. Choosing forgiveness and healing changed my family tree. It gave my children the healthy, thriving mother they deserve; it gave me back my life, it birthed purpose and calling, it set me free. Currently, I'm a Survivor Advocate at ZOE International. This organization works in rescue and restoration for foster youth in Los Angeles that have been victims of sex trafficking or are current victims of trafficking and exploitation. I'm also a speaker and trainer at The Power Project, an organization focused on prevention and awareness of human trafficking. At both organizations I am the only Latinx leader that hosts workshops and trainings in Spanish as a bridge for our Latinx, at-risk, and vulnerable communities to be educated and empowered. It is my dream of being a Social Worker in the city of Los Angeles, and being a woman who brings value, leadership, and healing to our city, that gives me such a zest for life. My long-term goal is to attend graduate school and attain an LCSW degree with the end goal of private practice specializing in sexual trauma, sexual abuse, trafficking, and exploitation. I'm passionate about helping survivors thrive and find a healthy life after suffering. They must know that there is hope and healing at their fingertips. My desire is to make an impact as I go into the darkness and lead others to light.