So if anyone see this, my birthday is on June 14th, I see it as a perfect day to show love and support for immigrant families. I’m asking my loved ones and now you to please consider giving to @chirla-org.bsky.social for my birthday. It would mean the world to me and others like me. #IDrawStrength

I have no followers on here and I really don’t know why I chose to share all of that on here but as a reminder to myself that in my heartbreak, I have a lot to draw strength from. #IDrawStrength and I try to put something good in the world with that.

My parents eventually became US citizens and they felt guilt for it at times. They felt they were turning their backs on their country but they knew it was best. They raised us to know our history and culture, Spanish was our first language and the only language we were allowed to speak in the home.

My parent’s journey is for the books. How my dad made it to the US and my mom eventually joined, the hard road they endured but also the good memories shared of cumbia dancing in DTLA. My mom’s trips to the corner liquor store just to exchange words with the Asian owner who spoke to her in Spanish.

I think of my paternal grandmother who was a single mother of three. She traveled Mexico as a seamstress while trying to make ends meet as her mother helped to raise her children. I draw strength from that.

I acknowledge my maternal grandmother who had 11 children, two of which passed away. She was widowed at a young age and had to find a way to carry on. I think of my mom, my uncles and aunts who had to grow up fast without their father and help sustain the family as children. - And I draw strength.

I acknowledge the artists who have helped sooth my soul with their talent and have given me an escape including the youth in Mexico who have learned to play and build guitars with such passion and skill - and I draw strength.

I acknowledge the Mexican families I’ve met across this beautiful country that have found innovative ways to make do without electricity, roads and water and draw strength in these times.

I acknowledge children I’ve worked with in Kenya who walked from Tanzania to Kenya (as little as 8 yrs old) to escape mutilation and abuse and draw strength in these times.

I acknowledge the immigrant foster children I worked with who left a mark of resilience on me and draw strength.

I acknowledge the immigrant families that I worked with as a social worker throughout all of Los Angeles and Ventura County and draw strength in these times.

I am a daughter of Mexican immigrants, born in LA, raised in Oxnard then LA again until moving to Mexico 10 yrs ago. My heart breaks to see all of the raids and I clearly acknowledge the generational wounds that haven’t healed. I acknowledge my parent’s faith, values and history and draw strength.

King.

Our parks are in chaos. We’ve seen firsthand how Trump’s hiring freeze, the rescinding of hundreds of job offers, and the layoff of 5% of NPS staff have left us overwhelmed and short-handed.