Every child deserves to feel loved and protected. Thanks to Pivotal, I finally know what that kind of support feels like, but it wasn’t always that way. I didn’t learn about Pivotal until my early college years, and I often think about how different my journey might have been if I’d known about their services earlier. Growing up, I faced many challenges that made it hard to feel safe, supported, or even hopeful about the future. I was born in Los Angeles, but when I was one, my mother sent me to live with my grandparents in Guatemala. Some of my happiest childhood memories are from my time with my grandparents who treated me with love and care. Every year, I would visit my mother in the U.S. My mother was sometimes verbally and physically abusive, and I started to believe that she did not love me. Despite the love and care I received from my grandparents, I always carried a sense of emptiness and rejection from my mother that stayed with me for many years. 

When I turned twelve, my mom decided that I should stay in the U.S. permanently. I had no say in the decision. I was not comfortable living with my mother. She had a partner and two younger children by this time, and I felt like a stranger in her home.  

At school, I was bullied because I was the new student and did not know English. At home, the place that was supposed to be my safe space, I experienced physical, mental, emotional, and sexual abuse. I felt like I did not belong anywhere. 

When my mother’s partner began sexually abusing me, I did not know how to respond or where to turn. I told my mother, hoping she would protect me, but she didn’t believe me. She said I was a problem child and that she regretted having me. 

Alone and desperate, I finally opened up to a teacher at school. The teacher reported the situation to Children and Family Services and I was soon removed from my mother’s home. My mother was angry with me, calling me a liar and telling me that I would pay for what I had done. 

It was the hardest time of my life. By 16, I had attempted suicide three times. Although my foster parents were kind and supportive, by my junior year of high school, I was making poor decisions, using drugs and alcohol to numb the pain of my traumatic past. I had received numerous detentions, been suspended multiple times, and I realized that I did not have enough credits to graduate. Finally, when I got into a fight at school, I was told that I had one last chance, or I would be expelled.  

My foster parents, my social worker and my school counselor came together to talk to me. I knew I was in trouble but rather than just focusing on what I did wrong, they told me that I had to choose: continue to let my past define me or start building a future for myself. Their approach changed everything, and that was the moment something finally clicked for me. I still had people who cared about me, and that kept me going.  

As I mentioned, I learned about Pivotal in my early college years. I wish I had known about Pivotal’s services while I was still in high school; my path might have been easier! I graduated high school and started community college, but it was a struggle. I wanted to move out and become independent, so I got a job, but trying to balance college, work, and my personal life was overwhelming, and my academic performance began to suffer. 

My goal has always been to work in the healthcare field, and I hope to become a nurse one day. I went to a college counselor for guidance but rather than supporting me, connecting me to resources, or offering advice, she told me I was wasting my time in college and that I would never make it into nursing school. Her words almost crushed my dream, but I refused to give up. 

I talked to my case manager who went above and beyond to help me transfer to a different school, Cañada College, where I could have a fresh start and a stronger support system. He was the one who connected me to Pivotal, and I am so glad he did.  

Pivotal has been a life-changing part of my educational journey. Before receiving their support, I faced many challenges: in addition to balancing school and work, I was now also a mom. I kept trying to hold onto my dream of working in healthcare and when I felt overwhelmed and close to giving up, Pivotal reminded me that I was not alone and that my dreams are worth fighting for. 

 

My coach, Brian, always goes above and beyond to make sure I have everything I need to succeed in school. His support always seems to come just when I need it most. Whether it is a quick text reminding me of an important deadline, providing me with resources, or just checking in to see how I’m doing, those small gestures remind me that someone believes in me. And that belief gives me the motivation and tools to keep going.

Thanks to Pivotal’s encouragement and support, I recently graduated from the Medical Assisting program at Cañada College with an Associate of Science degree in Medical Assisting and a Medical Coding Specialist certificate. I’m currently working for the County of San Mateo as the Supported Training and Employment Program (STEP) Coordinator, an internship program for foster youth. I actually started as an intern myself and it’s an honor to give back to my community by supporting foster youth. I provide peer support, guidance, and resources to help them navigate challenges and reach their goals. It’s incredibly rewarding to make a positive difference in their lives and to help empower them to succeed. 

GradPhoto-9

Iris at Pivotal's End of Year Celebration.

My daughter remains my greatest motivation and inspires me to be a better person every day. She has helped me heal and gave me the courage to forgive my mother for everything she did to me. I make it a priority to be present in my daughter’s life, to make sure she feels loved and supported, and to give her everything I once dreamed of: a family and a safe place to just be a kid. Because of her, I’m working hard to break generational cycles and create a better world for her. 

I still plan to attend nursing school and become an emergency room nurse. Some days it’s difficult to hold on to that dream, but what I’ve learned is that progress takes time and that every step, no matter how small, matters. With Pivotal’s support, I’ve come to realize that I can achieve amazing things, as long as I believe in myself, even when things are hard.  

Iris recently spoke at a Dream BIG event at the home of Jessica and Leonard Speiser. Read more about the event and watch the video here!"