“Helping others is one of the highest forms of love.” – Kristina Calderon, WE graduate
Kristina Calderon is grateful for the support she received at Women’s Empowerment. Now she is giving back. This is her message to you:
“I have come to believe that helping others is one of the highest forms of love.
If you support someone and show them how much you care, it can make a world of difference. I came to Women’s Empowerment after being in a domestic violence relationship where all I felt was pain and torment. Having just one person support me without conditions or control brought me back to life! Women’s Empowerment’s community of support helped me rebuild my life, regain a career, and give my girls a safe place to call home.
When I started the nine-week job readiness and empowerment program, I was living in my car with my two daughters; I was defeated, lost, and mentally drained. The program reminded me who I am: a loving, caring individual. I had almost forgotten that.
The support I received had a huge impact on me, so after I graduated I made sure to give back to WE and the students after me. I promised myself I would never keep anything I’ve learned from anyone who needed to hear it, even if it means being completely vulnerable. I share my story, my truth, my tragedies, and my triumphs. Now, whether it’s volunteering, teaching a class, helping with resumes, lending an ear, or assisting with interviews, if I can make a difference, I will continue to show up because giving back gives me purpose.
There are still so many women and children who deserve a chance to change their circumstances and rebuild their lives. Your support makes that possible.
At the end of the day we all need to do our part to create long term change. Make a donation; speak out; show women and children that our community cares.
A little goes a long way. Giving back any way you can not only shows great respect and concern, but it could mean the difference between fatal and fruitful for many people.
We are all human and we deserve support, love, and compassion. It doesn’t matter if you are a CEO or the homeless mother who risked it all so her children didn’t have to be afraid anymore; we all have something to give.”
Kristina Calderon
WE Graduate
Scheduler, Office of Assemblymember Carlos Villapudua
After participating in Women’s Empowerment’s intern program in partnership with Assemblymember Kevin McCarty, Kristina secured a full-time job as a Scheduler for Assembly Member Carlos Villapudua. She now attends the Women’s Empowerment graduations and presents certificates of accreditation from the California Legislature to all WE Graduates.
Sacramento now has the highest percentage of families sleeping outside of any major metropolitan area in the country and we continue to face a prolonged pandemic and housing crisis. Kristina knows that change is possible. Over the last 20 years, your support has empowered 1,719 women and their 3,842 children to break the cycle of homelessness. Today the need for our services has never been greater.
