As SHIM’s Family Center Director, I work closely with families from many different countries. My team and I help them to find resources and sign up for programs at SHIM, making them feel welcome and safe.
My personal and professional experiences helped prepare me for my role leading SHIM’s family center. My mom is from Guatemala and my dad is from Rochester, NY. I grew up bilingual speaking both Spanish and English. When I was growing up my dad was a bilingual elementary school teacher and my mom was a social worker. They taught me the importance of respecting everyone and helping in the community. I’ve lived in California, New York, Utah and Pennsylvania for at least a decade each and I spent a semester in Mexico and have spent time in Guatemala. 
After graduating with a BA in English Literature, I found a job teaching preschool at a nonprofit program in Utah. Our students came from low-income households and the school offered social services including transportation and meals. Since the majority of students were Latino, I was able to use my Spanish language skills to communicate with the families.
I took time away from the workforce to raise my four children and really enjoyed that time as a stay-at-home mom. During that time, I was able to volunteer in their schools and our community. When my youngest started first grade, I re-entered the workforce teaching at the preschool my children had attended.
When we moved back to Pittsburgh, I was excited to attend a series at the Mt Lebanon Library that was about building a community that is supportive and welcoming to immigrants and refugees. I knew that was something I wanted to support and get involved with so I attended the series and then did some volunteering with Hello Neighbor, Casa San Jose and at SHIM’s Early Childhood Program (ECP).
I really enjoyed my time as a volunteer but decided it was time to find employment. After working at Southminster Presbyterian Church’s preschool program for a couple of years, I was excited to see a part-time position open in SHIM’s ECP. I was invited to be the assistant teacher, working alongside the lead teacher to help refugee and immigrant students prepare for kindergarten by learning English and appropriate classroom behavior. I loved seeing the commitment of the parents, sometimes coming off night shifts but making time to take their kids to school. Even for households facing obstacles, parents made a point of attending parent-teacher conferences, prioritizing their children and working to be the best parents they could be.
As I was ready to move to a full-time position, I was hoping to find a position within SHIM. I love working at SHIM and feel deeply committed to fulfilling the mission of helping people holistically. When a Family Development Specialist (FDS) position opened, I was encouraged by my supervisors to apply. When I got the job, my supervisors were flexible about transitioning so that I could finish the school year in ECP before transitioning fully to the FDS position. 
As a Family Development Specialist, I had a chance to build meaningful relationships with local families. I enjoyed working with the children and their parents and gained perspective on their transitions to life in the US. I remember watching my mom and other family members as they learned English and adjusted to a new culture and seeing the ways that affected their ability to work and interact with others. I also got an inside look at the ambitions and dedication families have striving to create a better life for their children. Both mothers and fathers were involved in their children’s development and many of the families I worked with made sacrifices to budget efficiently. I met families of four living in one-bedroom apartments who saved diligently and were able to purchase a home within a few years. This inside look broadened my understanding of the challenges and incredible spirit of the immigrant and refugee families we work with.
When the Family Center Director position opened up, I recognized a great opportunity to continue to grow with SHIM. I was worried that it might lessen the amount of time I spend directly with the families we serve but I realize now that a large part of my job still involves helping local families. I also enjoy working more closely with my colleagues.
As the family center prepares to move to its new location, I’m excited to be part of the conversation guiding the transition. SHIM has always welcomed feedback, and our clients and staff members are providing important context to ensure we consider any concerns about potential impacts to programs.
I’m also working with my team to refine processes and increase diversity within our programs. As the refugee and immigrant community diversifies within our service area, we’re working to intentionally invite members of all cultural communities to our programs.
I know what it feels like to have one foot in multiple cultural worlds, and I relate to the refugees and immigrants I meet at our South Hills Family Center. Seeing my mom learn English and go to college as an adult has always been an inspiration to me and I understand some of the challenges facing the families we serve. I hope that my personal experience helps empower me to offer guidance and support in a thoughtful way to help our neighbors meet basic needs and achieve self-sufficiency.
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