Gabriel Robles,
Young Warrior from 2007 to 2008
My name is Gabriel Robles and I met Mayra Zaragoza in my junior year of high school 8 years ago. Ever since then, she has been aware of the difficulties and challenges which surround youth in our community and has strived to make a change in the lives of those youth who, without the help, may end up as criminals. Ms. Zaragoza has the heart to put her own problems aside to help those around her and she has done so since high school. We worked together on a few successful community outreach programs, unfortunately, I had to depart because I had to deal with my own personal issues. However, Ms. Zaragoza passion to enrich our community through the youth kept her at service regardless of how serious her own personal struggle was. I admire her heart, resilience, selflessness and dedication to continue fighting for her dream. I know she will succeed and I hope I can become part of her community healing process once again.
Age, 23
Jessieca Cervantez,
Young Warrior from 2009-2010
Young Warriors has shown me that it is possible for children and teenagers to work together to create a beautiful and safe environment without judgment; the program allowed me to be myself. Young Warriors provides opportunities for the youth to share their concerns about community and gives opportunities for expansion of creativity; it provides an encouraging audience that praises your talents.
Age, 25
Sam Cuellar,
Young Warrior Mentor 2012-2015
Hello, my name is Samuel Cuellar, I began attending Mayra Zaragoza's group sessions, titled Young Warriors, in 2012. When I started, I, like many of my peers, suffered from a poor self-image. We all share terrible insecurities about ourselves because of the same social factors: we come from broken homes, failing schools, and low income, highly policed neighborhoods. There's not much understanding available to boys and girls who learn to live in this type of environment, their behavior is a reaction to despair but no one is there to tell them.
What Mayra does is change lives. She knows the despair that her community feels because she's native to it. She is effective at transforming youth attitudes and behavior precisely because she understands their frustration and sadness. Her decision to start her group at age sixteen is a testimony to her ability to realize her hope for a better community, and she continues realize it. I had the privilege of attending the State University of Northridge, with her and I was always encouraged by her focus, her values are unshakable. While I was floundering for a plan of action for my life, she knew what needed to be done and did it.
What she has with Young Warriors is not glamorous in any way. She has no office, not even a permanent location, nor any in the latest media technology to advance her efforts online. But what she does have love and patience to do the tedious work of therapy with youth who are in need of direction and positive influence. She loves all her mentees, despite any previous labels they may have been given by teachers, parents, or judges. She gets to know them through hours of talk, community service, and creative work. What happens then, is that the boy or girl, for once, starts to build a positive self-image. She or he learns that the life is all about choice, just like all their previous authority figures had been saying all their lives before, only the difference is that Mayra has dedicated her life to helping youth understand that life is about the choices one makes.
The young people around me are largely unaware of how to be active in their own lives, so they go on following negative influences. Mayra is breaking generations long cycles of self-hate and violence, she wants to expand and systematize her lifelong research and practice. If anybody in the our community deserves support in building their dream, it is her.
Age, 16
Dan Hernandez
Young Warrior since 2013-Present
I first joined young warriors when I was in 9th grade; I was having trouble in school and I was confused about my identity. Once I joined Young Warriors at time they were working on a mural project so it really got my attention because I love to do art. They were painting Aztec symbols which I started to learn more about culture. The conversations Mayra the founder of Young Warriors would have with the group would make me think and be open to the many perspectives in life. Later on in the group we would meet with other groups out there that were on the same path we were. I met many positive people through Young Warriors. The lessons learned and that I continue to learn through practicing to master self mastery in order to master oneself is the path that Young Warriors put me on. In this group there has been a lot of healing I've been in the group for 2 year and a half now and I've witnessed a change with in my self and moving to adulthood.
Age, 40
Ramiro Rodriguez
Young Warriors Mentor 2013- Present
Mayra's faith and trust in me has allowed me to be a compassionate and humble mentor. When communicating with the youth there have been many times that I have found myself to be the student and in turn they have become the teacher. Because of what Mayra has taught me, in those moments, lives can be changed in a profound and meaningful way. My life especially.
It is a privilege and honor to be a part of Mayra's life, and I will always be grateful for everything she has given me and everything she has done for me.
Thank you.
Age, 19
Militza Tapia
Young Warrior Since 2013- Present
"Young Warriors has completely shifted my life. I've become so much more mature,
open-minded and honest with myself as a result of constant self-reflection.
My interpersonal relationships have also improved greatly, which I have now learned to deeply value with the help of a different and more passionate view of life. I've gained a stronger sense of unity with my community, ultimately making me a better me."
