My journey with complex PTSD, crippling depression, and anxiety began over two decades ago in the aftermath of years of trauma as I was surviving abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. These experiences left deep wounds that I carried silently for much of my life. Trauma shaped not only how I saw the world, but also how I saw myself: unworthy, broken, and isolated. For a long time, survival meant shutting down parts of myself just to keep going. Yet in the middle of that pain, I also discovered a resilience I didn’t know I had, one that continues to fuel my education, my faith, and my purpose today. Beliefs: My experiences with mental health have taught me to believe in the power of resilience and redemption. I no longer see mental illness as weakness but as proof of survival. My faith in God has been central in reframing my beliefs, from seeing myself as broken to seeing myself as someone who can be made whole, even in the midst of struggle. This has also given me compassion for others. I believe every person is carrying something heavy, whether seen or unseen, and that empathy has the power to transform not just individuals but entire communities. Relationships: Mental health struggles made relationships complicated for me at first. Anxiety convinced me I was a burden; depression isolated me; C-PTSD triggered responses I didn’t always understand. But through counseling, mentorship, and intentional healing, I’ve learned to communicate openly and to build relationships rooted in honesty and grace. I’ve also learned how to create safe spaces for my children, my peers, and other survivors who, like me, need to know they are not alone. My relationships today are deeper, more authentic, and filled with mutual encouragement because I no longer hide behind perfection. Instead, I show up fully as myself. Career Aspirations: My journey has made it clear that my calling is to turn pain into purpose. I am pursuing my bachelor’s degree with the goal of completing a master’s in justice and advocacy. My dream is to work in spaces where trauma, mental health, and systemic injustice intersect, whether that is in advocacy for survivors, community mental health, or policy reform, which I've had the honor of working in for the past ten years. I want to be a voice for those who are often silenced and to create pathways of hope for individuals who are navigating the very battles I have faced. My lived experience gives me credibility, but my education equips me to make an even greater impact. As a first-generation Latina college student with a 4.0 GPA, I know how much persistence it takes to balance academics with family responsibilities and community involvement, all while managing my mental health. Still, I choose to rise every day because I know my education is not just about me, it’s about creating generational change for my family and for the people I serve. I want my children and my community to see that even when life feels impossible, healing and achievement are possible. Mental health challenges once made me feel like my future was out of reach. Today, they fuel my determination to finish my degree, pursue graduate studies, and become a leader in advocacy and justice. My story is proof that even in the face of exploitation, abuse, C-PTSD, crippling depression, and anxiety, drive and ambition can overcome the odds. With support like this scholarship, I can continue turning survival into success, and hardship into hope for others. With Deep Gratitude, Sandy

My name is Sandy Esparza, and I’m a 41-year-old Latina, first-generation college student, trauma survivor, ministry leader, and woman of faith. I’m currently completing my undergraduate degree at Los Angeles Pacific University, a faith-based school that has nurtured both my academic and spiritual growth. I plan to pursue my master’s in ministry with a focus on justice and advocacy so I can continue the work God has called me to: walking with women through the darkest valleys and reminding them that healing is possible through Christ. My experience with mental health isn’t something I studied in a textbook, it’s something I’ve lived. I am 20 years sober, and while that milestone means everything to me, it’s only one part of my story. I carry the scars of deep, complex trauma. I grew up in the foster care system, was trafficked as a teenager and young adult, and spent years battling deep depression, thoughts of suicide, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress. For most of my young adult life, I wore a mask of strength while fighting an invisible war inside my mind and body. I never truly understood how trauma reshapes the nervous system until it nearly broke mine. I gave my life to Jesus at age 30 and by the grace of God, therapy, and support, I began to slowly heal. Over the last two years, I’ve engaged in over 100 hours of trauma-informed therapy and deep spiritual formation and recovery. I’ve allowed the Lord to lead me back to the core of who He created me to be, restoring my heart, renewing my mind, and helping me let go of shame. I’ve walked through seasons where my only prayer was “Help me hold on,” and through that, I discovered that God is near to the brokenhearted, not just in theory, but in reality. His presence was my anchor when anxiety threatened to drown me. His Word was my lifeline when depression convinced me I was too far gone. My beliefs have been shaped not by comfort, but by crisis. I now see mental health as a spiritual battlefield as much as it is a psychological one. The church hasn’t always known how to handle that truth, and for years I felt like I had to choose, either be “spiritual” or acknowledge my suffering. But I believe we serve a God who can heal both the soul and the brain. I’ve seen Him do it in me. Today, I use my testimony and education to minister to other women who feel like they’ve been disqualified by their pain. I lead support groups and trauma-informed Bible studies, speak at women’s events, and consult with ministries, nonprofits, and agencies to help create safer, healing-centered spaces. Many of the women I serve are survivors of trafficking, abuse, addiction, or incarceration. Others are moms who are just trying to hold it all together while battling anxiety or depression behind closed doors. I see them because I am them. And my mission is to remind them that they are not too broken to be used by God. My career aspirations are centered around this calling. I want to magnify my Christian life coach and advocate hats and reach the masses. I envision creating a faith-based trauma recovery center that merges mental health support with biblical truth and Holy Spirit-led healing. I want to train churches and leaders on how to walk with survivors of trauma without retraumatizing them. I want to write devotionals and curriculum that speak directly to the woman in crisis—the one who loves Jesus but can’t get out of bed, the one who serves everyone else but silently self-medicates, the one who’s still in the fight and doesn’t know if she’ll make it. This isn’t just a profession to me, it’s ministry. It’s legacy. It’s obedience. And every class I take, every story I share, every woman I pray with, it’s all part of the bigger mission God gave me. Receiving the Fishers of Men-tal Health Scholarship would be an incredible blessing. Because of past financial hardships and hitting the federal loan and pell grant cap, I’ve often had to delay or pause my education. But I know that God finishes what He starts, and I trust that He will provide the resources for me to complete my degree without more debt. This scholarship would allow me to stay enrolled, stay on track, and keep showing up for the women God has entrusted to me. I carry the legacy of healing everywhere I go. What the enemy meant for evil, God is using for good. I once believed I was too damaged to be used. Now I know that my scars are proof of resurrection power. I don’t walk into therapy rooms or ministry spaces as someone with all the answers, I walk in as someone who’s been in the fire and made it out alive. I carry hope like oxygen. And I point every woman I meet back to the only One who can truly restore her: Jesus. Thank you for the opportunity to share my story. If selected, I will carry this scholarship not just as financial support, but as a mantle of encouragement and fuel to keep going, learning, leading, and loving. I will use what I’ve gained to pour into others and build spaces where mental health and faith don’t have to compete, but instead work together to bring true, lasting healing. This next chapter of my life is about equipping myself fully, academically, spiritually, emotionally, to be the vessel God can use to bring others into healing and freedom. I want to walk into rooms of brokenness and carry the light. I want to sit across from women who feel like they’ve failed and show them what redemption looks like in real time. I want to build trauma-informed ministries that embrace mental health as a sacred part of discipleship. I know there are thousands of applicants with beautiful stories, but I believe mine stands out because it’s not just about overcoming, it's about being sent back into the fire to pull others out. I am the woman I prayed to become, and I still believe God is just getting started with me. Thank you for considering me for the Fishers of Men-tal Health Scholarship. If chosen, I will not only complete my education, I will multiply the impact of this gift every single day I show up to do the work I’ve been called to do. Sandy

My name is Sandy Esparza. I’m a 41-year-old Latina, a first-generation college student, a wife, a mom of two teenagers, and a survivor of more battles than I can count. But more than anything, I’m a woman rebuilding, on purpose, with purpose. I’m currently working toward my bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies at Los Angeles Pacific University with a focus on Justice and Advocacy. I plan to go on to earn my master’s and use everything I’ve lived through to serve communities that are often overlooked, misunderstood, and left behind. I grew up in the foster care system and was trafficked as a teenager and young adult. For years, I fought through trauma, addiction, and poverty just to survive. I dropped out of school and never imagined college would be part of my story. My focus was survival, keeping a roof over my head and staying alive. But somewhere deep down, I always believed I was meant for more. I’ve spent the last few years healing, rebuilding, and rising. I’m now 20 years into sobriety, have completed over 100 hours of trauma-informed therapy, and am showing up daily for my kids, my calling, and my future. Going back to school later in life hasn't been easy. I’ve had to fight past shame, self-doubt, and financial hardship. But every time I submit an assignment, pass a class, or show up for a Zoom lecture, I’m reclaiming something that was stolen from me: my voice, my power, and my future. My biggest passion is advocacy. I’ve had the honor of consulting with organizations like the California Department of Social Services and the National Center for Youth Law to shape policies that better serve survivors and system-impacted youth. I’ve spoken on panels, advised state leaders, and trained social workers and educators on trauma-informed care. I’m not just studying justice, I’m living it and teaching it. But pursuing higher education as an adult, mom, and survivor isn’t cheap or easy. I’ve maxed out my federal student loans and lifetime pell grant eligibility, and often have to pause or delay classes because I can’t afford tuition. That’s where this scholarship would be life-changing. It would allow me to stay enrolled, finish my degree on time, and step into my grad program without additional debt hanging over me. Beyond the money, this scholarship symbolizes something deeper. It represents belief in people like me, those who may not have taken a traditional path, but who show up anyway with boldness, grit, and a whole lot of heart. People who have been knocked down but got back up to fight for something more. Sloane’s story inspires me. She rose to the top of her sport and still made space to give back and to empower young people who deserve a shot. That’s the kind of legacy I want to leave. I want to build safe spaces, equip future leaders, and prove that where you start doesn’t have to define where you go. My life may not look like everyone else’s, but it’s mine. And I’m proud of every scar, every detour, and every comeback. I’m not just chasing a dream, I’m building one brick by brick. With this scholarship, I’d get to keep going without interruption. And I’d carry the support of this award into every space I lead, every survivor I serve, and every young woman I inspire. Thank you for seeing me. -Sandy

My name is Sandy Esparza. I’m a 41-year-old Latina, a first-generation college student, a mom of two teens, and a survivor of human trafficking, foster care, and addiction. I live in California and am currently finishing my undergraduate degree at Los Angeles Pacific University, with plans to pursue my master’s in Justice and Advocacy. I’ve been through a lot in my life but what’s carried me is an unwavering belief that my story could be used to change lives. I didn’t grow up around college graduates. I grew up in a system that treated me like a statistic. But now I’m taking everything I’ve lived through, every ounce of pain, every hard-earned piece of healing, and turning it into purpose. My future goal is to work at the intersection of policy, community healing, and survivor advocacy. I want to build trauma-informed, justice-rooted systems that actually serve the people they were designed for. I’ve already begun that work through consulting and policy advising with nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and grassroots survivor networks across California. I’ve had the honor of working with groups like CAST LA, ZOE International, California Department of Social Services, and National Center for Youth Law to shape survivor-informed programming and training. I’ve shared my story to help agencies understand how to build safer, more empowering systems for survivors of exploitation and youth in foster care. This work has been deeply personal to me, and it’s only the beginning. Eventually, I hope to launch my own nonprofit or consulting firm, one that equips churches, schools, and agencies to better serve women and youth impacted by trauma. I want to train leaders in how to move beyond performative advocacy and into sustainable, systemic change. What stands in my way? Not vision or passion, just access. As someone who has maxed out federal loan limits and lifetime pell grant eligibility, carrying past student debt, tuition and school costs are always a looming stress. I’ve had to pause enrollment multiple times throughout the years due to finances. It’s hard to chase purpose when you’re constantly trying to stay financially afloat. This scholarship would help me finish what I’ve started. It would allow me to stay enrolled and finish my bachelor’s on time, giving me the freedom to apply for my master’s program without additional financial pressure. More importantly, it would give me breathing room to focus on my coursework, grow my nonprofit consulting work, and keep serving the community without burning out. I deeply connect with Mireya’s legacy. She used creativity, strategy, and belief in underserved communities to drive change. I carry that same fire. I want to build brands, movements, and ministries that help others rise from what was meant to destroy them. I want to create systems that evolve with purpose and relevance, just like Mireya did. And I believe I’m doing that right now, one bold step at a time. Winning this scholarship wouldn’t just be financial help, it would be confirmation that my journey, though untraditional, still belongs in these rooms. It would remind me that being a Latina, a mom, a survivor, and a first-gen student is not a limitation, it’s a powerful foundation for impact. Thank you for the opportunity to share my heart and my vision. I carry this work with deep conviction, and I will spend the rest of my life building what I once needed. -Sandy

My name is Sandy Esparza. I’m a 41-year-old Latina, first-generation college student, wife, and mom of two teenagers. I’m currently enrolled at Los Angeles Pacific University finishing my bachelor’s degree, and I plan to pursue my master’s next, with a focus in Justice and Advocacy. My story is far from traditional, but so is my level of drive and resilience. I grew up in the foster care system from age 14 to 18. I survived human trafficking, addiction, and homelessness. At one point, I didn’t think I’d live to see 21. But now, I’ve rebuilt my life by the grace of God and a lot of grit, and I’m using that life to bring healing, change, and hope to others who are still in the dark. I didn’t grow up in a household that talked about college. No one in my family had gone. Survival came first. College seemed like a dream meant for other people. I didn't know how to apply, where to begin, or who to ask. But I knew deep down I was meant for more. And now, decades later, I’m making that dream real, not just for me, but for my kids and for every woman watching my story unfold. My vision for the future is to work at the intersection of advocacy, systems reform, and ministry. I want to use my voice, my experience, and my education to create real, lasting change, especially for youth in foster care, survivors of exploitation, and underserved communities. I’ve already started consulting with organizations like CAST LA, National Center for Youth Law, and the California Department of Social Services to improve how systems serve survivors and youth impacted by trauma. But to step fully into that next level of impact, I need to finish my education, and the cost is a real barrier. I’ve already maxed out my federal loans for undergrad and my lifetime pell grant eligibility, but I’m doing everything I can to avoid taking on more debt. As a mom, I have to think about groceries, rent, utilities, bills and my kids’ futures, on top of tuition and school expenses. This scholarship would relieve some of that pressure and allow me to stay enrolled and on track to graduate. It’s not just about the money, it’s about what that money makes possible. With this scholarship, I can cover textbook costs, pay off a past balance, or free up funds in our household budget to breathe a little easier. It might look like $600 on paper, but in my world, it’s a lifeline. I may not be your typical student, but I bring a level of focus, hunger, and heart that can't be taught. I’m not just working for a degree, I’m fighting for generational change. And every scholarship I receive gets me one step closer to showing other women like me that it’s not too late, that their past doesn’t define them, and that healing and purpose are possible. I’m deeply thankful for this opportunity, and if I’m chosen, I promise to multiply the impact of this gift, not just in my life, but in the lives I’ll go on to serve and uplift. Thank you, Sandy

Hi, my name is Sandy Esparza, and I’m a 41-year-old Latina, first-generation college student, wife, and mom of two teens. I’m currently attending Los Angeles Pacific University to finish my undergraduate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Justice & Advocacy, and I plan to pursue my master's right after. My journey here hasn’t been easy, but it’s one I’m deeply proud of. I’m a survivor of human trafficking, addiction, and trauma. I aged out of the foster care system at 18 after bouncing around homes during my teenage years. I’ve also survived cervical cancer and the fallout of long-term instability. But in all of it, I’ve held onto the belief that my pain would serve a purpose, and it has. Today, I advocate for others who’ve walked similar paths, and I’m turning my lived experience into a life of purpose, service, and leadership. My education means more to me than a degree, it’s my redemption story. It’s a declaration that I am no longer surviving but I’m building. I’ve taken classes while working multiple jobs, navigating mom life, and doing the hard work of healing through over 100 hours of therapy. I’m rebuilding my life with intention, faith, and fire. I plan to use my education to advocate for marginalized communities, specifically youth in foster care, survivors of exploitation, and women trying to rebuild their lives. My goal is to lead policy reform and expand access to holistic services for survivors. Eventually, I hope to build a nonprofit or consultancy that trains agencies, churches, and schools on how to support trauma survivors from a place of dignity, not pity. In terms of accomplishments, I’ve been invited to speak on state and national platforms about survivor advocacy, mental health, and systems reform. I’ve consulted for agencies like the California Department of Social Services and the National Center for Youth Law. I’ve also raised two amazing kids who are now teenagers and having their own dreams and hopes of college as they watch me fight for mine and honestly, that might be my proudest achievement of all. I've given my children hope and audacity to pursue their college dreams. But like many others, I’m carrying the weight of student loan debt. I’ve already hit the federal loan limit and pell grant lifetime limit for undergrad, and that means every class now comes with extra stress and uncertainty. I’ve had to delay or skip enrollment simply because I couldn’t afford tuition, even though I’m so close to the finish line. This scholarship would be a huge relief and a real game-changer for my family. If I were awarded this scholarship, the money I save would go toward rebuilding our household. I could use those funds for groceries, utilities, my kids’ school needs, or finally set something aside for the future and continue to stay out of additional debt. More importantly, it would allow me to fully focus on completing my education and stepping into the next season of my purpose without the constant weight of debt hanging over me. I know I’m not the traditional scholarship candidate, but I believe I represent what’s possible when someone refuses to give up. I’ve rebuilt my life from scratch, and with your help, I’ll finish what I started and pour everything I’ve gained back into the communities that shaped me. Thank you for considering my story. -Sandy

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.

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.