Today we’d like to introduce you to Evelyn Diaz.
Hi Evelyn, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in West Los Angeles into a Mexican Indigenous family. Our neighborhood served as a backdrop to our growth, witnessing the highs and lows of a family determined to defy expectations. The streets were our playground, where our community became an extended family, offering support and encouragement in unexpected ways. Raised by a single mother who worked tirelessly to provide for my four siblings and I. She taught us about the importance of being resilient. In the ups and downs of life, keep going and stay positive was instilled in us. My mom always shared that education was the key to breaking free from the chains of poverty. Our home echoed with laughter and the occasional struggles of a family bound by love and determination.
My mom always supported everything I did, even when she didn’t have all the answers or felt insecure in being the first in her family to immigrate to America, but she always found a way to support us. From an early age, I learned the art of survival and learning to figure out how overcome barriers for my siblings and I. The days were a patchwork of challenges and triumphs. My siblings and I knew the value of a dollar and the weight of hard work. My passion, drive and determination come from this directly, taking care of my family and knowing I want to help other young people that have been in situations like me. School became my sanctuary, a place where my dreams were nurtured. Against all odds, I graduated valedictorian and honors from High School in 2010. I had an amazing mentor David Duran who supported and guided my passion for juvenal justice work.
After graduation, I attended UCLA’s Summer Bridge Program which helped me educationally knowing what I wanted to do as a career. I then applied to work with YouthBuild USA in their young leader’s council. Where I got the opportunity to work alongside some of the most fierce women and men who advocate and fight for at Promise Youth to have an equal opportunity to be successful. This only continued my fire to doing this work, I took a year off working to support my mother in being my uncle’s caretaker. David introduced me to New Earth in 2015. And I have been with the organization ever since, I started as a volunteer and then my first role as Lead Youth Ambassador and have worked my way to be in leadership now as Senior Manager of member services. My journey thus far is only a testament to the power of family, love, and the unwavering belief that even in the toughest circumstances, dreams can thrive.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Some of my main challenges where growing up in a low-income community with little to no recourses. Being a first-generation Latina, having to navigate both breaking generational trauma and cycles. While also being a second parent to my siblings and putting my needs on pause to support my mom.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I work for a nonprofit – New Earth. New Earth provides mentor-based arts, educational, and vocational programs that empower juvenile justice and system-involved youth ages 13-25 to transform their lives, move toward positive, healthier life choices, and realize their full potential as contributing members of our community. We are committed to significantly reducing the youth recidivism rate in Los Angeles.
The young people we work with largely come from communities characterized by high concentrations of poverty, violence, and gang activity. Upon release from incarceration, our young people return to their old neighborhoods with few resources to help them successfully reintegrate into society, let alone to address barriers to success such as difficulty re-enrolling in school or finding employment. As a result, in Los Angeles County, 70% of youth released from juvenile detention facilities are rearrested within a year of their release. New Earth’s unique model proves its success – with a less than 7% recidivism rate among members currently enrolled in New Earth programs.
At our New Earth Campus in Culver City, young people receive career training and paid work experience, a fully accredited high school diploma program, mentorship, case management, nature expeditions, arts programming, and wrap-around services that help them re-enter their communities with the support and nurturing they need to create lifelong success.
My current title is Director of Member Services – I am directly working with the young people in their entire journey with us and even after they successfully exit. All from enrollment to helping with any barriers to connecting them with the rest of the team. I am also in direct communication with our school partner DaVinci RISE and support their educational journey.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I can see this expanding and becoming more normal practice. People will begin to see how important mental health is and how much it’s needed especially in supporting, guiding and teaching our youth! I can also see more schools’ involvement with bringing and teaching with a trauma-informed lens.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Evelyn.Diazz
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evelyn-diaz-8b136855/
- Other: https://newearthlife.org/
Image Credits
Jeremiah Warren
