Today we’d like to introduce you to Cindy Escarcega.
Cindy, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Life is not linear and where I am has happened out of struggle, growth, patience, and at times, anger. I believe our experiences are placed in our lives to mold us into our own unique experiences. My background began between the border of West Rancho Dominguez Compton, and Athens South Los Angeles. My parents’ marriage was fueled by abuse, violence, and tension. When they split, I felt angry at the loss of both parents, and had no positive outlet. By the time I got into high school in the mid- 90’s, I was involved with gangs, dropped out, and got pregnant. At 18, my child’s father was shot, on the verge of death, and I was overcome with depression. Although he survived, he never fully recovered, I did not want this “normal” of a gang member father and high school dropout mom for my child. Feeling lost on how to rise from my environment, I decided to enroll in community college and quickly became discouraged from the lack of cultural competence from others and my inability to acclimate to community college. Growing up, college was not the norm and it was easy to get discouraged from a sense of not belonging. As a young working parent, I could not relate to many college students and also lost many childhood friends who were not on the same path. I only connected with a limited few and struggled from ingrained self-doubt, inner shame, and feeling of inadequacy.
However, I vowed to give my child a different future, so I sought help from co-workers who positively guided me through the enrollment process toward my A.A. and later my G.E.D (I did it backwards). As I neared completing my A.A. my new advisor asked me to “consider” transferring to a university, which I had never believed was possible. With wishful thinking I applied and was accepted as an “undeclared” student. It was intimidating and again not knowing the process, I made mistakes, changed my major many times and could not find the right major. During this time, my child began speech-language therapy at 7 years old. Having never heard of this field, I researched it and felt that maybe I discovered a calling. I applied to the speech language pathology program and was “waitlisted” for two semesters until being accepted. During my undergraduate studies, I had two additional children, bringing my total to three. It was one of the hardest hurdles I had to overcome, nearly every day I cried and wanted to quit. However I knew I had an opportunity, so I began focusing on the scientific aspects of academia I loved. As I continued, I noticed “holes” in the system with the lack of diverse teachings pertaining to cultural variances, socio-economic disparities, and marginalized populations. From this, I knew I wanted to serve overlooked diverse areas and fight the disparities I experienced growing up. So to better understand how psychology, biology and social factors drive our individual perceptions, I decided to minor in Gerontology which focuses on factors that affect people throughout the life course.
After achieving my B.A., I applied to speech-language pathology graduate programs and was denied. Therefore, my path twisted to focus on my three children, gain part-time experience as a speech-language pathology assistant (SLP-A) and measure if I was inclined to a future in the field. As a clinician, I experienced several educational settings (e.g., preschool, middle school, private practice clinics) in various demographic areas (i.e. West LA, Beach Cities, L.A.) and discovered a passion volunteering back in my community. I quit my affluent beach city area position and was hired with my current company Speech Source Therapy as an in-home clinician serving these areas of South L.A, Watts, Compton, Gardena, and Huntington Park. Since my return, the stance with my people has ignited my commitment to serve, advocate, and portray the beauty I see from these neighborhoods in a positive light. I decided to capture inspiration, resilience, and hope by photographing grassroots movements, families, businesses and people who strengthen our communities.
Currently, I am proud of my most important position as mom to three, as well as a speech-language pathology assistant, photographer, and volunteer. I also have the opportunity of being labeled “grad student” at USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology. Through my experience I have learned the importance of giving back to others, fighting for what you believe in, challenging systemic narratives, constant growth, continual learning, and discovering yourself in the process.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
No, in no shape way or form has it ever been smooth. I am still constantly growing and questioning my path and purpose. I’ve faced many adverse personal challenges throughout my academic and professional career. I was from what is considered a “low income, at poverty line household”, was a high school dropout, a nearly homeless young mom, temporarily lived in the housing projects, and struggled to escape my environment. At no point has anything been easy, I constantly doubt myself but have learned about maintaining mental health, wellness, and behavioral maladaptive patterns in graduate school. Now I try to replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations, practice mindfulness, and reject insecure self-talk when uncertainty creeps in. Stressors still and will always be a part of life but I have learned how to manage difficult events by focusing on the positives in life.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
As a photographer with my startup “All4LoveLosAngeles”. I provide free or reduced price photography services to the community and clients. I network and spread the word for volunteer, job openings, and workshop opportunities held locally. In addition, I have also participated and displayed my photography in community art shows, often covering and documenting events through photography for low cost.
As a speech-language pathology assistant (SLP-A) at Speech Source Therapy, I specialize in working with children from birth to kindergarten with speech-language delays, autism spectrum, developmental delays, and early intervention. I am passionate about “play-based” therapy and love being their first introduction to a non-familial adult, their “teacher”. I have the opportunity to shape my clients’ positive learning experiences and set the foundation skills needed for school entrance. I am a huge proponent of early education and advocacy by assisting families with community resources for parent education non-profits, and free workshops.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
No. I don’t believe in luck but DO believe in hard-work. When we do our best with the right intentions of being a good person, I think this is what gives us meaningful roles in our life. Teaching others what we’ve learned, trusting the process, giving back to others, and staying true are the positive life and business models that will take you far. No matter what, obstacles will remain and change is constant therefore the ability to be resilient in the face of adversity, against injustice, and being grateful for even bad experiences help us, as humans grow.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 5624520484
- Email: [email protected]
Image Credit:
self @all4lovelosangles
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