Conversations with Christina Stewart

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Stewart.

Christina, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born in Riverside, March AFB, California. We lived in a town called Sunny Mead. which is now known as Moreno Valley. My parents divorced when I was 8 years old, and I was a “latchkey kid”. I would stay home by myself and cook meals for my brother and me when our parents were gone. I started babysitting when I was 9 years old, during the day and 12 overnights. My mom eventually remarried, and when I was 13 and we had to move to Fairbanks, Alaska.

I dropped out of high school at 16 and had my first child at 17, shortly after moving out on my own. I moved from Alaska to New Mexico to get away from the bad influences. By the age of 20, I welcomed my second child while working full-time. At 23, I had my third child and decided to take the GED exam, passing with scores higher than the average high school student.

Afterward, I enrolled in community college in New Mexico to pursue an Associate’s degree in Paralegal Studies. While pursuing my degree, I was on the National Dean’s List for three consecutive years, became a member of Phi Theta Kappa, and joined the Paralegal Association Club. I graduated with honors, all while working full-time and being a single mother.

After graduation, I worked as a paralegal at the District Attorney’s office for two and a half years before choosing to become a stay-at-home mother with my fourth child. During that time, the children’s father and I built a house off the grid, where we lived for seven years and ran our own business together. Eventually, he moved out of state, and I decided to relocate to California.

In California, I continued my paralegal career in Oxnard for a couple more years until I got married, then moved to Alaska. Unfortunately, that marriage turned out to be abusive. When COVID-19 happened, I had the opportunity to leave, and I took it. I left and moved in with my 18-year-old daughter in New Mexico. Once everything started to reopen, I decided to search for new job opportunities, as many paralegal positions I applied for wanted people straight out of school. I had a friend who was working here at the Santa Monica Family YMCA and said there was a job opportunity available. I applied for it while I was still living in New Mexico. I had an in-person interview one week later (2 days after Thanksgiving) and started the following day. I have been working here since. I was just recently promoted to the Aquatics Coordinator, and I also teach swim lessons of all ages.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road for me. I have faced family struggles, including abuse from my parents and being in abusive relationships. At times, I have thought I may have deserved some of what I experienced, but when I reflect on those situations with a clear and open mind, I know that is not true.

My father was a drug addict, and I believe that if I had not been raised around it, I might not have been tempted to try drugs myself. At one point in my life, I became addicted but managed to recover on my own, which was not easy. While I still struggle from time to time, knowing that my life is better without drugs keeps me strong.

In February 2017, I lost my oldest son to an overdose, which almost broke me, and as a result, I started smoking again. This happened just a few months after losing my grandmother in October 2016. My mother, who was also addicted to medications but whom everyone refused to acknowledge had a problem, overdosed on her medication less than a year later, in January 2018.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am currently the Aquatics Coordinator and swim instructor at the Santa Monica Family YMCA. In November, we launched the Swim Starters class for children aged 6 months to 36 months, with classes held on Sundays from 10:00 AM to 12:50 PM. We also offer a 100-Mile Swim Club for our members, with future plans to introduce 500, 700, and 1,000-Mile Clubs. Additionally, we aim to add more classes in the near future.

Our members rave about our pool, and no reservations are required; it operates on a first-come, first-served basis. We provide pricing for swim lessons for both members and non-members alike.

What matters most to you? Why?
Honesty and being true to oneself are essential values. Even if we disagree, I can respect your opinion and understand your feelings as long as you remain true to yourself. If someone behaves one way with one person and differently with another, they are not being their authentic self. Just don’t be fake.

Pricing:

• Adult -Monthly $60 Joining $75 (one-time)
• Family – Monthly $95 Joining $75 (one-time)
• Older Adult – Monthly $50 Joining $50 (one-time)
• Young Adult – Monthly $40 Joining $30 (one-time)
• Teen – Monthly $30 Joining $25 (one-time)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ymcasm.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/santamonicaymca/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSantaMonicaY/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/santa-monica-family-ymca/posts/?feedView=all
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/santa-monica-family-ymca-santa-monica

Image Credits
Santa Monica Family YMCA