Catalina’s Story
I have very fond memories of Uncle Joe surprising the house on 1303 Grand Avenue after long absences away for work. “Buenas tardes, Catalina!” he would shout with a bright smile.
“What does that mean, Uncle Joe?” I would ask with great curiosity.
“It means good afternoon in Spanish, and then your name, Catalina, which is Catherine in Spanish. And when you learn Spanish one day, I will take you to Mexico and show you some great places,” he would say.
I vividly remember the excitement of exploring Uncle Joe’s room on 1303 Grand Ave. I would feast my eyes on brightly embroidered wall hangings, books about far away places, pictures of people and places from all over the world and quotes about peace and justice that I so wanted to understand. I remember staring at the picture of the Navy ship Uncle Joe lived on that hung just above his bed, imagining him coaching the basketball teams and “straightening” out the sailors on long journeys and during wartime.
Although I was only a small girl, my uncle fascinated me. His restless spirit and thirst for justice and peace struck me. I always wanted to be named Catalina because I loved hearing my name is Spanish. It was when I was little that I remember committing to learning Spanish so I could travel to Mexico with my uncle and be of service.
Also growing up, I remember attending the Amigos Anonymous reunions at Deer Park Villa and San Rafael Joe’s. The vibrant celebrations are still fresh in my mind today. I can picture Uncle Joe breaking bread for all of us cloaked with his bright Latin American shawl, Art Baca telling a humorous story to the crowd, the guitar strumming and the voices of Amigos singing songs of love, community and change. The sense of community, friendship and purpose were contagious at those reunions. I wanted to be a part of it all!
When I was in high school, I learned about the possibility of traveling to Latin America to help build latrines and give “charlas” about health to kids and adults. I immediately jumped on the opportunity, and when asked what country I wanted to travel to, I said, “Mexico, of course!” When I was sixteen years old, I boarded a plane as a volunteer to spend eight weeks in the small ranch town of Los Aguirre, México. Sixty families living in self-made homes that had no running water or electricity inhabited the ranch. I developed relationships with people who did not own luxurious possessions or have many opportunities for a better economic future. The people I met gave from their hearts and had so much zest for life. During these eight weeks, my view of the world broadened and my priorities radically changed. I returned to California in awe at how many opportunities we have here. My excitement at this new perspective inspired me to volunteer with Amigos de las Americas two additional summers and then to attended the University of California at Santa Cruz where I majored in Latin American and Latino Studies and Politics. While at UCSC, I spent my junior year abroad in Granada, Spain to study ancient history. After graduating, I decided to pursue a career as an educator and to strive to be a catalyst for students to grasp their dreams and realize their opportunities. I have now been teaching for 11 years and, although the stress and hardships of the profession are challenging, I can’t imagine myself being happier or more fulfilled in any other profession.
The commitment I made as a child to learn Spanish and to travel to Mexico was just a small seed of what was to come. The decision to do Amigos in high school was a trip that only lasted 8 weeks, but had such a larger impact on me. The change in perspective I had upon my return to Marin County after those 8 weeks is one that has changed my life up to this point and will continue to challenge me to do better for the world and my students. I am deeply grateful for my Uncle Joe and to all the Amigos Anonymous that have inspired me. Thank you!
“What does that mean, Uncle Joe?” I would ask with great curiosity.
“It means good afternoon in Spanish, and then your name, Catalina, which is Catherine in Spanish. And when you learn Spanish one day, I will take you to Mexico and show you some great places,” he would say.
I vividly remember the excitement of exploring Uncle Joe’s room on 1303 Grand Ave. I would feast my eyes on brightly embroidered wall hangings, books about far away places, pictures of people and places from all over the world and quotes about peace and justice that I so wanted to understand. I remember staring at the picture of the Navy ship Uncle Joe lived on that hung just above his bed, imagining him coaching the basketball teams and “straightening” out the sailors on long journeys and during wartime.
Although I was only a small girl, my uncle fascinated me. His restless spirit and thirst for justice and peace struck me. I always wanted to be named Catalina because I loved hearing my name is Spanish. It was when I was little that I remember committing to learning Spanish so I could travel to Mexico with my uncle and be of service.
Also growing up, I remember attending the Amigos Anonymous reunions at Deer Park Villa and San Rafael Joe’s. The vibrant celebrations are still fresh in my mind today. I can picture Uncle Joe breaking bread for all of us cloaked with his bright Latin American shawl, Art Baca telling a humorous story to the crowd, the guitar strumming and the voices of Amigos singing songs of love, community and change. The sense of community, friendship and purpose were contagious at those reunions. I wanted to be a part of it all!
When I was in high school, I learned about the possibility of traveling to Latin America to help build latrines and give “charlas” about health to kids and adults. I immediately jumped on the opportunity, and when asked what country I wanted to travel to, I said, “Mexico, of course!” When I was sixteen years old, I boarded a plane as a volunteer to spend eight weeks in the small ranch town of Los Aguirre, México. Sixty families living in self-made homes that had no running water or electricity inhabited the ranch. I developed relationships with people who did not own luxurious possessions or have many opportunities for a better economic future. The people I met gave from their hearts and had so much zest for life. During these eight weeks, my view of the world broadened and my priorities radically changed. I returned to California in awe at how many opportunities we have here. My excitement at this new perspective inspired me to volunteer with Amigos de las Americas two additional summers and then to attended the University of California at Santa Cruz where I majored in Latin American and Latino Studies and Politics. While at UCSC, I spent my junior year abroad in Granada, Spain to study ancient history. After graduating, I decided to pursue a career as an educator and to strive to be a catalyst for students to grasp their dreams and realize their opportunities. I have now been teaching for 11 years and, although the stress and hardships of the profession are challenging, I can’t imagine myself being happier or more fulfilled in any other profession.
The commitment I made as a child to learn Spanish and to travel to Mexico was just a small seed of what was to come. The decision to do Amigos in high school was a trip that only lasted 8 weeks, but had such a larger impact on me. The change in perspective I had upon my return to Marin County after those 8 weeks is one that has changed my life up to this point and will continue to challenge me to do better for the world and my students. I am deeply grateful for my Uncle Joe and to all the Amigos Anonymous that have inspired me. Thank you!