1. How long have you worked at Amani?
I have worked here for a little over 3 years.
2. What inspired you to join the team here?
I really love working with this demographic and always have. I’ve been lucky enough to grow up around a lot of international students, living with my family and hanging out for weekly gatherings in our home. I spent the summers when I was 8, 10, and 12 living in China. These experiences deeply enriched my life and made me who I am. I love interacting with people from other cultures and learning from each other. Life is so much fuller and more fun with multicultural community.
3. What brought you to Fort Wayne, IN?
My parents met in Fort Wayne when they moved here for college in the 80s. They met while waiting tables at Bandito’s, the most authentic Mexican restaurant in the city (kidding)!
4. What excites you most about Amani’s mission?
I really like the mission of partnership with the immigrant and refugee community. We work together! I also like the goal of fostering a spirit of belonging; it’s not just about helping clients meet their needs, but about ensuring that everyone has a seat at the table and is included.
5. What is your favorite part of your job?
I have to say the staff potlucks are my favorite part. Nothing beats the food that comes together from all the cultures represented at Amani. Last Thanksgiving’s highlights included samosas and choco flan. Sometimes a sweet coworker decides to bless us with Chinese dumplings, Filipino pancit, Honduran ceviche, or Burmese samosas at the office on a random Tuesday. Food sharing is always a treat around here.
6. What challenges have you faced in your role and/or department?
The court system is challenging to navigate. There are a lot of systemic barriers that clients and the organization face, especially in the last couple of years. There is always bureaucracy to deal with, and plenty of tough systems that both the families we work with and ourselves are up against.
7. What should community members know about Amani and what we do?
We offer immigration legal services, group support classes for adults and children, mental health counseling services, and so much more. I’m very proud of all that Amani offers to the community!
8. What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I like going to live concerts, taking walks in the woods, and spending time with my baby nephews. I enjoy doing anything creative, like playing my flute or singing in the Spanish-speaking community choir. I love trying new foods and going on trips when I can. This year I’ve started going to salsa and bachata classes with friends from work, which has been so fun. I also love to be goofy and weird: I just had a puppet show party for my 30th birthday last month and requested that everyone dress up as clowns.
9. What is something surprising that not many people know about you?
I love to build gingerbread projects for competitions. My mom and I enter a contest at the History Center every year around Christmas time. We started when I was a kid and it’s become a tradition. Some of my favorites over the years are Sesame Street, the Wizard of Oz, the Very Hungry Caterpillar, and the Zesto ice cream shop in town.
10. What does mental health awareness mean to you?
It’s the fuel that keeps us going! It’s empowering to be aware of one’s internal world and have the tools to stay grounded when life gets messy. I view mental health awareness as a community action to keep everyone safe. Tending to our nervous systems benefits the collective by creating resilient individuals who can be strong and present members of the community.