Share a little bit about yourself: Your background, family, and where you grew up and went to school?
I grew up in City Heights, a neighborhood filled with culture, resilience, and diversity, but also many challenges. Growing up, I saw firsthand the struggles many youth faced, including the influence of gangs and the limited expectations around pursuing higher education. Despite these obstacles, I was fortunate to have programs and mentors such as Pamela [Gutierrez, Assistant Director of Cardinals Interact] who believed in me. Being part of Cardinals Interact’s Class of 2009 was a positive turning point in my life.
How has the Cardinals Interact Program impacted you?
Cardinals Interact provided something rare and deeply needed at the time: a safe space. It gave me room to grow, explore my strengths, and see possibilities outside the pressures and expectations of my environment. The program opened my eyes to my own potential and allowed me to envision a future that looked very different from what many of us in City Heights were told to expect. It introduced me to new opportunities, expanded my mindset, and helped build the confidence that shaped who I am today.
Did the Cardinals program influence the career path you chose? If so, in what ways?
Absolutely. My experience in the program directly influenced my decision to pursue a career in youth development and community services. Cardinals Interact showed me the importance of having supportive adults, structured programs, and environments where young people feel safe, valued, and empowered. Because of that influence, I chose a career where I could help create those same opportunities for youth and families growing up in communities like mine.
Today, I serve as the Youth & Senior Services Manager at Casa Familiar, where I oversee youth centers, senior centers, community engagement initiatives, and prevention and intervention programs that support children, youth, families, and older adults throughout South San Diego. My work focuses on creating opportunities, strengthening community connections, and ensuring individuals of all ages have access to resources, support, and safe spaces where they can thrive.
What other factors and experiences in your life contributed to your interest in this field?
Growing up in City Heights, I saw how limited access to resources and opportunities affected young people. Many of my peers were pulled into gangs or felt college and long-term goals weren’t meant for them. These realities made me passionate about supporting youth who face similar barriers.
Additionally, the leadership development and entrepreneurship exposure I gained through Cardinals Interact shaped my belief in the power of after-school programs. Those experiences helped me understand the importance of mentorship, structure, and exposure to future possibilities.
How long have you been working in your field?
I have been working in youth development, expanded learning, and community services for over 15 years. Throughout my career, I have served in various leadership roles supporting students, families, and communities through after-school programs, youth leadership initiatives, mentorship programs, and community-based services.
What accomplishments are you most proud of in your work? Or in life in general?
I am proud of the impact I have been able to make in communities that mirror the one I grew up in. Throughout my career, I have helped develop programs, build partnerships, mentor staff, and create opportunities that positively impact youth and families. In my current role with Casa Familiar, I am especially proud of leading programs that support both young people and seniors, strengthening community engagement, and helping connect residents to critical resources and services.
I am also proud of helping young people recognize their potential and develop confidence in themselves, just as Cardinals Interact helped me recognize my own potential. Outside of my professional work, I am proud of building my own DJ business from the ground up. What began as a passion for music has grown into a successful business that allows me to bring people together and celebrate important moments in their lives.
What do you feel are the greatest challenges and rewards in your field?
One of the biggest challenges is addressing the complex needs that many families and communities face, including poverty, limited access to resources, mental health concerns, and systemic inequities. It can also be challenging to secure resources, build capacity, and meet growing community needs while maintaining high-quality services.
At the same time, the work is incredibly rewarding. Whether it is seeing a young person discover their potential, helping a family access critical support, or watching a senior become more connected to their community, those moments remind me why this work matters. The opportunity to positively impact lives and strengthen communities is what makes every challenge worthwhile.
Can you share something about your life outside work, such as hobbies, traveling, etc.?
Outside of work, I’m passionate about DJing at nightclubs, weddings, quinceañeras, community events, and more. Music has always been meaningful to me, and being able to share that with others is incredibly fulfilling. I also enjoy spending time with my family, going on Disney trips, and indulging in a delicious cheeseburger and fries.
Finally, based on your life experiences, what advice would you offer to the youth served through Price Philanthropies programs and City Heights partners?
My biggest advice is this: don’t let anyone or anything limit your dreams. Believe in yourself even when others don’t. Your environment does not define your future. Surround yourself with people who uplift you, ask for help when you need it, and never underestimate your potential. Opportunities exist, but sometimes you just need one person or one program to help you see what you’re truly capable of.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
I’m grateful to have been part of Cardinals Interact. It helped shape my life, my career, and my commitment to giving back to communities like City Heights. Programs like this change lives. I’m living proof of that.