For the Borders Mami Crossed

When people ask why I chose to come to Los Angeles, I find myself asking a different question: Why am I really doing this?

For as long as I can remember, I have carried the weight of my mother's sacrifices. Mami crossed borders and left behind her own dreams so that I could have opportunities she never had. Sometimes I wonder how much of what I have accomplished was born from my own desires and how much came from a sense of responsibility to make those sacrifices worth it. Did I choose these paths because I wanted them, or because I felt I had to?

What I do know is this: I have always dreamed of coming to Los Angeles.

During my junior year of high school, I read Tattoos on the Heart by Fr. Greg Boyle. Through its pages, I witnessed what God's mercy could look like in action. I read stories of people who had been told they were disposable, only to encounter someone who saw them as worthy of love, dignity, and transformation. Fr. Greg's ability to help people feel seen inspired me in a way I have never forgotten.

So why am I here?

The answer is not one thing, but many.

I am here for the many borders Mami crossed so that I could stand where I stand today. I am here because I dream of becoming a social worker who helps people recognize their own power and ability to create change. I am here to deepen my understanding of the Dominican Order beyond the walls of Providence College. I am here to explore, to meet new people, and to say yes to opportunities that challenge me to grow. Part of the answer is PREP and the opportunity to work alongside Sister Mary Sean Hodges. Through this experience, I will be learning about prison reentry and restorative justice, walking alongside people whose stories are too often reduced to their worst moments. As someone hoping to become a social worker, I am drawn to work that recognizes the humanity in every person and believes that people are capable of growth, healing, and transformation. The chance to learn from Sister Mary Sean, whose commitment to accompaniment and justice has inspired so many, felt like an invitation I could not ignore.

Most of all, I am here because I felt called to take a leap of faith.

When I arrived in Los Angeles, I was welcomed with open arms. The sisters at Flintridge had placed a sign on my door that read, "Welcome, Yessenia." Such a small gesture carried so much warmth. It reminded me that sometimes belonging begins before we even know a place. Outside my window, the view stretches across mountains and sky, a reminder of how much beauty exists beyond what is familiar.

Still, I would be lying if I said I wasn't afraid.

My beautiful view of La Cañada Flintridge, California

 

Leaving behind the people I know and love has not been easy. I do not know exactly what these next six weeks will hold, or who I will become because of them. I hope to meet people who challenge my assumptions and expand my understanding of the world. I hope to encounter stories that remind me why this work matters. I hope to discover that choosing an unfamiliar path can also be choosing myself.

As I begin this journey, my prayer is simple: that God opens my heart and mind to this work. That I learn how to be fully present. That I approach each person I meet with humility and curiosity. And that, in listening to the stories of others, I continue to better understand my own.

For now, I am here. Far from home, yet somehow closer to the person I hope to become.

The cute sign!