From Crisis to Courage: How the "Soy Latina" Program Helped Me Reclaim My Life

In the blink of an eye, my life shattered.

I am a hardworking mother to a three-year-old girl who is my entire world. I lived with my daughter, my mother, and our dog, believing I had a foundation beneath me. But during a severe alcohol-related episode, my then-husband—the father of my child—forced us out of our home.

In a single day, I found myself without a roof over my head and without a support system in this city. My employer stepped in to pay for one week in a hotel. It was there, sitting in a small room filled with fear and desperation, that I realized I had to rebuild from nothing.

The First Step Toward Hope

While searching for a lifeline, I heard about the Ohio Hispanic Coalition and their Soy Latina program. I remember that first phone call vividly. I poured out my heart, explaining how lost and alone I felt. I didn't even know where the first step was, let alone the path to a new life.

But for the first time in a long time, I felt a shift. I felt seen. I felt heard.

The advocates at Soy Latina didn't just see a "case number"; they saw a woman in pain who needed a community. I often call them my "Guardian Angels." In that moment of relief, I started to believe—truly believe—that I could move forward.

A Journey of a Thousand Steps

Rebuilding a life isn't a single event; it is a process. When I joined the program, I was fighting battles on every front:

• Healing: I needed to process the trauma I had endured.

• Security: I needed to find a safe home for my daughter and mother while keeping my job.

• Justice: I needed legal support for divorce and custody proceedings.

Soy Latina walked with me through every single door. They connected me with housing resources, basic necessities, and legal advocacy. They integrated me into weekly emotional support groups and a trauma-healing program at OSU.

But beyond the services, it was the humanity that saved me. It was the constant phone calls to check in, the steady presence in my life, and the unwavering reminder that I was never alone.

Finding the Strength Within

One of my most powerful memories is a conversation with my Promotora, Kassandra. She looked at me and said: “You are already doing so much for your daughter—don’t forget to see your own strength.” Those words became my anchor.

Today, my reality is one I once thought was impossible. I have achieved stability. I have full custody of my daughter. Our home is no longer a place of fear, but a sanctuary of peace. I am stronger, more secure, and more independent than I have ever been.

A Message to My Sisters

If I had to describe my experience with Soy Latina in one word, it would be Transformative.

To the women out there who feel like they are standing in the dark: You are not alone. You are stronger than you believe, and there is a path leading to a better life. Healing means choosing peace, learning to love yourself, and recognizing that you deserve safety, respect, and happiness.

My journey isn't over. I dream of advancing my career and one day studying law so that I can be the advocate for others that Soy Latina was for me. My story is a reminder of what happens when the courage of a woman meets a community ready to catch her.