The Immigration Institute of the Bay Area I’M IIBA campaign uplifts the true character and positive contributions of immigrants in the Bay Area. This week we highlight the inspirational story of Edgar.
MEET EDGAR
I’M EDGAR
I was born in Oaxaca, México, in a small town called Santa María Tecomavaca. Some of my dearest memories in México was being surrounded and supported by my loving family – being embraced by my grandparents and learning about the incredible beauty that surrounded my culture. After long school days, I recall heading over to the river with my cousins. We would have a lot of fun together as children, playing and enjoying delicious foods while the sun burned hot above us.
I’M AN IMMIGRANT
At 12 years old, I arrived in the United States, where I was confronted with the hardship of learning to navigate a system that felt very daunting. With the language barrier, I often struggled to make friends and adapt to the United States schooling system. However, in México, I did extremely well due to my familiarity with the environment and my knowledge of the Spanish language.
When I was 17 years old, an unforeseen situation occurred within my family, and I had to make the difficult but necessary decision of dropping out of high school to support my family. I got a job at McDonald’s, where I worked for about 10 years to financially assist my family and myself with everyday expenses. In the back of my mind, I always maintained a constant reminder of my love and passion for learning. At the age of 23, I decided to return to school, where I earned my General Education Development (GED) diploma. I began attending Ohlone College and later advanced to San Francisco State University, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in broadcast and electronic communications.
I was able to achieve these lifelong goals thanks to the utmost support and kindness of my incredible husband, Christopher. We met over coffee one day, and have been inseparable since. He has been a valuable part of my success, as he motivated me to strive forward in my last semester at university. I can never thank him enough for his utmost kindness. I was also able to accomplish these achievements thanks to the support of my beautiful family, who have guided me and been my motivation every step of the way.
I’M AN EDUCATOR
I studied broadcast and electronic communications because I wanted to work in the news industry to spread awareness on pressing matters. However, after graduation, I secured a position with a school district, where I currently work as a Family Services Assistant. In this role, I engage with families in the community, connecting them with vital resources and social services while providing guidance and support.
I engage in this work because it holds a special place in my heart, in the individuals that I serve I often see reflections of my 12-year-old self, who often needed guidance and reassurance. Serving as an inspiration for many children who have similar experiences to mine kept me resilient and persistent in achieving my dreams. It is that very reason I persisted forward, to show other children, as well as, my nieces and my nephews, that they too could be relentless in the pursuit of their dreams.
I AM A PHOTOGRAPHER
I discovered my passion for photography because it allowed me to explore my creativity and uniquely express myself. I am most enamored by photography’s ability to capture a beautiful moment before it slips away, preserving it forever in a single image. I came to this realization upon recording the happy memories of family gatherings and important moments in my life. I am very appreciative of my family because I recognize all the sacrifices they made, in hopes that I would have more access to opportunities and thanks to their hard work and sacrifices, I was able to make a lasting impact on the lives of other vulnerable individuals within the community.
I AM IIBA
Once executive orders were being signed into place to advance the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, I recall hearing about workshops around my community that were providing excellent advice on how to navigate the application process. It was not until a friend urged me to attend a workshop that I built up the courage to attend, and that was when I came across Sara Fain, an attorney with IIBA. Sara made the whole workshop very easily understandable, which I really appreciated in my application process. Years later, that very workshop allowed me not only to support myself, but also to support my own sisters with their DACA applications and the renewal process every two years.
IIBA offered me so much guidance and support through some of my most difficult moments in life, and because of this I have ensured to establish a strong connection and bond with the incredible organization. Thanks to IIBA, I was able to obtain my green card and I am currently in the process of applying to become a United States citizen.
I am very grateful to IIBA because they have changed my life for the better. Because of IIBA I was able to travel back to México, and reconnect with my culture and roots. I was able to reflect on my childhood experiences in México, and gain clarity on the complexities that have contributed to my individuality, an experience that I consider invaluable for truly understanding oneself. It has inspired me to fully immerse myself within the work of supporting young adults with similar experiences as myself and connecting them with resources that are available within the community.
It’s why I have devoted myself wholeheartedly to everything I do – to honor the sacrifices my family has made, to inspire future generations, and because every accomplishment I achieve is ultimately an expression of my love for my family.