Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jayra Camarena. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Jayra, thanks for joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

The most significant risk I have ever taken is starting a non-profit. I had experience as an advocate and coordinating victim services, but I was unfamiliar with the administrative side of things.
When I felt called to start La Luz Org, I was scared. I was the right person for the Job. I always thought, “There are people who know how to communicate better than me, were more professionals, or had a higher education than I had.” why me? It took about a year for me to answer what I believe was God calling in my life. I risked everything! I took a lip of faith and left my Job in March 2018 to start a non-profit offering free services to the underserved.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a first-generation Guatemalan American born in Los Angeles, CA. Growing up, I witnessed Domestic violence in my home. I discovered that I was not a horrible kid when I started working at a local domestic violence shelter in Los Angeles, CA. I just had unsolved trauma from what I had witnessed, and my love for helping people like my mother grew. I obtained a Criminal Justice degree, am a Certified Domestic Violence Counselor in California, and am a Certified Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Professional (CDSVRP) in Oklahoma. I am the first Latina Advocate to provide culturally specific expert witness services in Oklahoma. I created Oklahoma’s first culturally specific, faith-based non-profit agency that services Latino Victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Only a few people know this about me. I learned how to read in the 5th grade. That has been the root of my insecurities, especially as I started a nonprofit! As an adult, I have been diagnosed with ADHD and Dyslexia. Things have not been easy for me. I had to learn how to problem solve and be creative to help myself succeed.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn to put others and La Luz before me! Self-care is a famous phrase that people usually think of getting their nails done or doing their hair. But in all reality, it’s about taking care of your mental, spiritual, and physical health.

When I started La Luz, I worked 12-14 hours a week; as time passed, I was so used to working late that I was neglectful of my family and myself. In late 2019, I started getting stroke-like symptoms due to stress, and my health was deteriorating. I started therapy, and I started to realize that I had a lot of unlearning to do. I didn’t know how to take care of myself, I didn’t know how to start, but as a believer in Jesus Christ, we see him modeling self-care in many scenarios throughout the bible. That has helped me take time to be alone to meditate in Christ or pray.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.laluzokc.org
• Instagram: laluzorg_okc
• Facebook: LaLuzOrgOKC
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/la-luz-org/

Image Credits
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