I BLAZED MY OWN TRAIL WHEN I LEFT FOR COLLEGE

As a first-generation Latinx college student, I was left to my own devices and my purpose was unclear for a while.

I grew up in a traditional Mexican family. My dad worked in landscaping maintenance and at Target, days and overnights, so during the weekdays, his free time was devoted to getting ready for his next shift. My mother worked at a food processing plant for Tyson Foods and came home with aching hands from putting frozen chalupas together for eight hours.

My parents cared that I did well in school but were out of the loop, especially as I graduated high school. I tried to discuss the happenings of my classes, but from them, I mainly received blank stares and phrases like “Sigue echándole ganas, mijo.” Encouragement — and desire or ganas — was never lacking in the household, but guidance was.

College acceptance season came around and I was accepted to nine out of 10 schools. I was proud, but I didn’t have a dream school in mind. I applied as “undeclared” because I didn’t know what I wanted to be. However, I was aware of the great expectations kids in my position have. Coming from a family of laborers who ensured my only worry was doing well in school, I needed to pay the debt by becoming a lawyer, doctor, engineer or the sort.

I chose San Diego State University to stay close to family, as closeness is a trait of Latinx families. My first two years in college were uneventful as I was just going through the motions — passing my classes but not figuring out what career path to take.

The COVID-19 pandemic was a turning point.

When people were forced to stay home, there was a crisis as they started to lose their income, housing and minds. The vulnerability of the most vulnerable group was accentuated; our unhoused neighbors were among the critically hurt. I struggled to stay positive while stuck at home, but at least I had one.

Before the pandemic, homeless people went through what many of us went through in 2020 times 100. Even before the pandemic, in 2019, the California Policy Lab observed data obtained from Vulnerability Index-Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (VI-SPDAT) surveys, which determine the risk of homelessness of an individual, and found that half of all homeless people in 15 states reported facing physical problems, mental health issues and substance abuse simultaneously.

Just before entering my junior year, my parents made the economic decision to move to Texas, and I became completely independent. After selling their house in San Diego, my parents set aside some money to help me pay for the rest of college. At 20, I could get by living on my own and became aware of my blessings.

I had the time and youthful energy to help my community.

Soon I will be attending my last year at SDSU and plan to graduate with a double major in journalism and political science. I want to pursue a career as an investigative journalist, primarily focusing on human rights issues. A person who asks questions and reports answers for a living is not exactly what my parents had in mind for my future, but in my opinion, it fulfills a purpose. Societal problems must be addressed aggressively, and journalism is my preferred method.

Last semester, I was hired by SDSU assistant professor Lourdes M. Cueva Chacón as a research assistant. She is researching how small Latinx media outlets communicate with their audience, and I’ve learned that they prefer using direct lines of communication such as WhatsApp. I hope to continue my journalism endeavors with this practice in mind and work on a smaller scale, directly speaking to homeless and mistreated people.

Besides my journalism ventures, I am involved in community service. I am the new director of operations for the Mustard Seed Project, a grassroots nonprofit organization that connects our homeless neighbors to resources. In 2021, we were able to raise more than $18,000 to help pay for rent and necessities in San Diego and Riverside counties. The organization’s goal is to multiply our impact year after year. My personal goal is to learn homeless people’s stories and give them exposure through my journalism.

When it comes to uplifting my community, “ganas” is not lacking.

Cervantes is a senior at San Diego State University with a double major in journalism and political science and is director of operations at the Mustard Seed Project. He lives in the College Area.

My parents cared that I did well in school but were often out of the loop. Encouragement — and desire or ganas — was never lacking in the household. Guidance was.