We recently connected with Tina Padilla and have shared our conversation below.

Tina , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

I am a system impacted individual, and when I returned home, I saw things different. My Life was different, my community was different. I knew I would struggle to find work because I now had a record. I took a huge interest in my community and saw they were hurting, and lacking hope and resources. I then went into action, not even caring if I would ever get paid for helping my community, I just wanted to help, in any way possible .

This job has its ups and downs, It can really take an emotional and psychological toll on a person, especially if your not 100% in your change. You really need to be aware that this job can bring stress, burnout and vicarious trauma. If you do not prepare yourself or practice self care this can be harmful to your well being.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Since I have the pleasure of working in the community I come from, I understand the needs my community has, I know the daily struggles, so my agency is here to be a resource for the community. There is nothing to small or to large that we wont try to take on.

Our main goal is to provide resources, support and the necessary tools to overcome barriers. Here at Community Warriors 4 Peace we are committed to breaking the cycles of poverty, violence, low educational attainment and underemployment in our communities by empowering the youth and young adults and their families in our communities. We strive to have these young adults and youth to become successful productive members of the community.

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

I was born and raised in Northeast Los Angeles , My father was a gang member and my mom was a young mom who lacked the necessary skills it takes to raise a child, since she was a child herself. Growing up, I thought that all the kids I would play with that their parents were gang members also, I thought that everyone around me also did drugs I thought that was the norm. I had no idea that that was not normal, when the fire dept came to my home, it was because my dad would OD, when the police came to my home they were looking for my dad. I never saw them as positive figures in my life. I thought everyone lived like we did.

It was not until I got older that I realized that we were not the normal family we were the despised, feared family of the neighborhood, because of my fathers ties.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

I have always had the gift of compassion and helping. I have always wanted to make sure everyone around me was taken care of. I see my community in need and I am there to see how I can help. I would definitely choose this profession over and over again. When I have community events, it gives me the biggest rush to see the smiling faces and the happiness it brings.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cw4peace.org
• Instagram: cw4peace_ne

Image Credits

Louie Mora, Photographer