Paloma Magazine Volume 46

Mayra Guzman, Is Community Liaison
for Salinas and South County. She is
intermediary in the community for
children, born in Araro Michoacán,
Mexico. She shares her story of how she
arrives to the United States. "My parents
came with my sister and I when I was
7 years old. I arrived to Pescadero
California. I learned to speak English
when I started school it took time. The
first 7 years of my life my grandmother
in Michoacán raised me. We are 7
brothers, 5 women and 2 men. My
parents worked very hard to bring us
together. My parents worked hard to
make us legal residents and
gave us the opportunity to
receive a better education
and the opportunity to
pursue our careers. I became
a citizen in 1997
before graduating from high
school." Mayra attended Pescadero
Elementary school and Pescadero High
School, and later on went to receive a
degree in Behavioral Social Sciences at
the University of Monterey Bay.
Prior to this, she shares a
painful experience from her childhood:
"A part of my childhood that was very
painful was at the age of 10. We were
placed in Foster Care under the
protection of minors in the county.
The saddest thing is that it still hurts and
I never forget this memory. It was bitter
when we were parted that night.
My sisters and I were in a strange car
and they told us that everything would be
better they would help us. I was looking
for my brother I remember looking
anywhere but could not see him.
He was sent to another foster home and
we could see him at supervised visits.
It breaks my heart to know that he was
alone in a house without us. And in that
house they mistreated my little brother.
It breaks my soul to know that we could
not be with him to care for him.
The foster home where my sisters and
I were place was with a very nice family.
They were an African-American family
that did everything to make us feel as
part of their family. It was hard to be in a
big city, new school, and try to make new
friends. At the time, it was sad to say
where we lived and why. Many times
we spent time alone in the new school
b e c a u s e w e w e r e a f r a i d .
The experience of being separated from
my brother and my parents was very
painful. My parents struggled to keep
the family united, but at last we could
go home.” The painful experience has a
great impact on Mayra and leads her to
help families in similar situations.
Mayra shares another aspect of
her life. She says, "I was a single mother
from the age 14. It was a very difficult
time in my teens because I had to be a
father and mother. With great effort and
my parents, I became responsible for
maintaining a job working in the fields
while continuing my education. I had two
jobs to give my daughter what she
needed. My parents never approved that
I receive government assistance.
For them to work hard is what one needs
to do and this sense of responsibility was
always instilled in us.” Her desire to
succeed and get an education to give
her daughter a better life becomes the
driving force to continue studying.
Despite her persistence her
family suffers another tragedy. She
shares a very heartfelt experience,
"One painful night my older brother came
home while my friend was visiting (which
was his then ex- girlfriend). He came
armed and shot my friend in cold blood.
I ran to get help while he shot
everywhere; my daughter, their daughter,
and my brothers were all there. It all
happened so fast. My friend did not
survived. I embraced her as the
ambulance arrived. Those were very dark
years, as I had to be a witness in my
brother’s trial. That night I lost my best
friend and a brother. My friend died at
the age of 16 and my brother was
"The blows of life are not in
vain. As difficult and painful as
they are, we must not let the
darkness defeat the soul”.
-Mayra Guzman
imprisoned at the
age of 18. These
two stages of my
adolescence and
youth are what led
me to remain
strong and move
forward.” Indeed, these two very painful
stages of Mayra made her much
stronger. She was able to overcome this,
she positively used these experiences,
today to help families overcome these
crisis’.
Mayra excels even more by the
following: She says: "After finishing high
school I moved to Monterey. I was
accepted into the University of Monterey
Bay. I remember I took my daughter to
night classes with me, because I had no
one who could take care of her.
It became very difficult to walk in an
unfamiliar city with no family nearby.
I taught myself to ride the bus and I
walked a lot. My daughter never
complained. The University Monterey Bay
supported me very much. I studied Social
Behavioral Sciences.” Once Mayra finish
her education and got a degree in Social
Behavior Sciences she worked for the
Women's Crisis Center as Respondent
Team Coordinator for Child Abuse and
Rape. She adds, "I was also a counselor
for survivors of domestic violence, and
coach for parenting classes." After this
experience, she becomes works for The
Parenting and Adoption Program for
Monterey County. She explains her work;
"My job is to provide support for families
entering the child protection system.
I also focused on working with the media
to seek support for children in Foster
care, and to find new foster care and
adoption in our community. Our priority
is to keep children with family or persons
granted, but if we can’t we then place
them in foster care. Currently more than
300 children are placed in foster homes
in Monterey County.” Undoubtedly, the
shocking experiences Mayra faced at an
early age made her an even stronger
woman who decides to pursue a career
to help her community, especially
families. This great story that Mayra
shares is an example of how following
ones dreams is well worth as they do
come true. She shares, "My children are
my inspiration, I continue on for them.
A major motivation is the memory of my
friend, rest in peace. She was not given
the opportunity to see her daughter grow
up and follow her dreams. I am trying to
better myself as a mother, wife and
professional.” She shares a great
philosophy in her life, “The blows of life
are not in vain. As difficult and painful as
they are, we must not let the darkness
d e f e a t t h e s o u l ” .
.” She also adds, “all my good and
painful experiences have made me a
stronger person today. That's why I'm in
this profession. Helping families and to
be part of their growth and reunification,
gives me great pleasure and
encouragement.”
For this great desire to heal
families in our community and continue
to fight for her dreams despite the
struggles and adversity she has faced
throughout her life she is clearly an
example of social motivation, to Paloma
Magazine we are happy, to congratulate
and recognize her always as our Orgullo
Hispano.
Interview by: Julio Enríquez
Photo by: Dena Photo & Video
Jewelry by: Crafts & Boutique
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