Today, I was inspired by a story with the same headline as this blog post. I immediately thought about the last ten years of La Cima and La Chispa. Most of the staff refers to the team as the La Cima family and I hear the same comment from many students.
I did not intend to create a family. I only wanted time and space where Latino students could explore their own self worth and dream big. However, the longer I do this work the more I realize that familia is the best thing we have going for us. Latino culture instills a great deal of pride, belonging and purpose among family members. In fact, I myself would not be who and where I am if it were not for the tremendous support of mi familia. My family is my life.
I once learned that the best way to determine what a person values is to answer two questions: How do you spend your time? How do you spend your money? The answers for me are simple. I spend my time at work and at home. Not much else happens except for a little self care running or playing guitar. And, I spend my money on my family. All of it.
At La Cima students have time to share with their peers and learn along side supportive mentors. I guess that's all it comes down to-spending time with the ones that care for you and want the best for you. Thank you La Cima. Thank you for making us family.
-Vincent Perez, La Cima Founder