Check Out Sabrina Casillas’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sabrina Casillas.

Hi Sabrina, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Sabrina Casillas, and I’m from Los Angeles, California. I mainly grew up in Sun Valley. Growing up, there was a lot of love around me, but there were also a lot of challenges. As a child, I didn’t fully understand my family’s choices or the pain they were carrying; that understanding came much later.

My mom had me when she was just 16. She truly did the best she could while trying to find herself and raise three daughters all at once. When you’re young, you don’t fully grasp how heavy that responsibility is. It’s only as you get older that you begin to see things clearly. As I grew up, I gained a deep appreciation for her strength and resilience, and I can see now how much that shaped who I am.

With my dad, I mostly grew up hearing stories. People would talk about his big smile, how happy he always seemed, how much he loved us, and how deeply he showed up for his family. I don’t have many memories of him; some are beautiful, and some are painful. But I always loved him. He carried his own struggles, many of which I didn’t fully understand until I was old enough to hear the truth.

In my family, emotions weren’t something we really talked about. We worked hard, we survived, and we kept moving forward. Relationships, feelings, and boundaries weren’t openly discussed, so those were things I had to learn on my own. A lot of the time, that felt lonely.

My grandma’s house played a huge role in my childhood. It was my place of stability. There was a sense of safety that I really needed. But it was also complicated. There were arguments, tension, and a lot of pressure to meet expectations. So while it was safe, it wasn’t always peaceful. That environment taught me how to take responsibility early, how to stay composed, and how to carry a lot quietly.

Overall, I had a good childhood, but it came with pressure. I was the oldest daughter and the first grandchild, and there was always this unspoken expectation that I needed to be the example. I did well in school, I helped others, and I was naturally compassionate and empathetic. For a long time, that didn’t feel like a strength. I was often told I was “too nice,” and I started to believe that caring so deeply made me vulnerable rather than powerful.

Everything shifted after I lost my grandpa and later my dad. Their passing forced me to become even more resilient and to really reflect on my life. I began to see how much of who I am comes from the people who raised me ; even through imperfect circumstances. I also became more open with my emotions and started questioning what society tells us is “normal.”

Later on, I went through a very difficult relationship that became a major turning point in my life. There was a lot of heartbreak and struggle, and at one point, I was arrested and lost everything. That moment forced me to stop and really look at myself and my choices. I had to decide whether I was going to continue surviving in the same patterns or truly change. It took about three years after that to fully understand that my compassion was never a weakness ; it was my greatest strength. At the same time, I realized I needed to learn how to extend that same compassion to myself.

About four years ago, I made the decision to go back to school and earn my degree in marketing. I built a career in real estate and property management, which gave me back my sense of stability and confidence. But the most meaningful thing that came from starting over was founding my nonprofit, La Mano Extendida.

La Mano Extendida was born from my own lived experience; from knowing what it feels like to need help and not always know where to turn. So far, we’ve helped around 900 families, and we continue to grow. For me, it’s a way of transforming everything I’ve been through into something that creates real impact.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. A lot of it has been learning as I go and figuring things out without a clear plan. I knew where I wanted to be and who I wanted to be, but I was lost majority of time. Growing up, emotions weren’t really talked about, so one of my biggest struggles was learning how to understand my own feelings and set healthy boundaries later in life.

I struggled with giving too much of myself for a long time. Being compassionate came naturally to me, but I didn’t always know how to protect myself, especially in relationships. That led me into situations that were unhealthy and really challenging emotionally.

There were also moments where I had to start over personally and professionally. Going back to school, rebuilding my confidence, and choosing stability took a lot of discipline and self-belief, especially after experiencing failure and setbacks. At one point, I hit a very low moment that forced me to stop and take accountability for my life and the direction I was going in.

None of it was easy, but each struggle taught me something important. I learned how to slow down, how to choose myself, and how to grow instead of just surviving another day. Those experiences are what shaped me and the clarity and purpose I have today.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Today, my work really is about strategy, creativity, and service. Professionally, I work in real estate and property management, where I specialize in marketing and operations. In my corporate role, I get the opportunity to learn directly from upper-level executives and I am exposed to how businesses are actually run.

I also get to work on special projects that allow me to step into different worlds, see how high-level systems operate, and understand what it really takes to elevate both a business and a life. Being in those environments has expanded my perspective and shown me what’s possible, not just professionally but personally as well. It’s helped me build confidence, discipline, and a clear vision for where I’m headed.

That exposure, combined with my lived experience, allows me to move between the corporate world and community work with intention. I understand structure, systems, and strategy, but I also understand people. That balance is what shapes how I work and how I lead and what sets me apart from others. I don’t separate professionalism from compassion. I think that balance being both grounded and human is what people remember me for.

Of course my nonprofit, La Mano Extendida and helping people is the work I am the most proud of. This work is deeply personal to me. Knowing that something I created is making a real difference in people’s lives is incredibly humbling.

What does success mean to you?
For me, success is peace. It’s waking up and feeling grounded in who I am and where I’m headed. It’s having stability; emotionally, mentally, and financially. Especially knowing where I come from and what it took to get here.

Success is being able to show up as myself without shrinking or overextending. It’s learning how to care deeply without losing myself in the process. It’s breaking cycles, choosing healthier patterns, and building a life that feels safe and intentional.

Most importantly, success is impact. It’s knowing that my experiences didn’t go to waste. Its knowing that all my experiences I have had have allowed me to help others, create opportunity, and give back in meaningful ways. If I can grow, stay true to myself, and leave people better than I found them, that’s success to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lamanoextendida.org
• Instagram: @lamanoextendida
• Facebook: @lamanoextendida