Meet Christina

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Christina a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Christina , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

Purpose can look different for everyone. For me, purpose is the reason I am who I am, the foundation behind what I do for my personal growth, my family, my career, and why I show up for others. But I didn’t always understand that. For many years, before finding my purpose, I was lost young, a new mother, unsure of myself, unsure of how to build healthy relationships, and completely unclear on what direction my life was headed.

It took years of making mistakes, enduring hard lessons, and unintentionally hurting the people I loved before I finally stopped to examine my life. It wasn’t until my second child was born that I truly paused long enough to ask myself: What is my purpose, and who am I becoming?

When I began that journey, my purpose was tightly connected to my goals during what I call my “life in recovery.” And when I say “recovery,” I don’t just mean from substance use it was a recovery from the damage I had caused in my life, the healing of relationships, and the forgiveness of myself.

My early sense of purpose came in layers:

Purpose #1: What kind of mother do I want to be for my son and daughter?

Purpose #2: What kind of woman do I want to be for myself?

Purpose #3: What purpose do I want to walk in so I can build a career that is meaningful and fulfilling?

And over time, my purpose has evolved again, as life naturally changes.

Through constant self-assessment, and the courage to face change, fear, and discomfort, I have grown into the woman I needed to become. Purpose came to me through challenges, through tears and smiles, through failures and victories, and most importantly—through learning to have compassion for myself.

Today, my purpose stands on the foundation that I must empower Christina first in order to help others empower themselves. And that purpose continues to grow with me as I develop personally and professionally and as I grow my businesses.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I am currently focused on expanding the mission and impact of Healing Urban Barrios, a community-based organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families impacted by incarceration, trauma, violence, and systemic inequities. My work is rooted in the belief that true healing begins with connection, opportunity, and a supportive community something I once needed myself. Today, I get to help build that for others.
Professionally, I wear several hats: leader, mentor, program developer, and advocate. I oversee a range of reentry, workforce development, and youth programs designed to give people real pathways to stability and success. What excites me most is seeing individuals who once felt lost or overlooked step into their confidence, discover their talents, and rebuild their lives with purpose.
I think what makes our work special is that it comes from a place of lived experience, cultural understanding, and heart. Our team is made up of people who understand struggle, transition, and transformation firsthand. We don’t just provide services we build relationships, we walk with people through the hard moments, and we celebrate their wins, no matter how big or small.
The HUB brand is built on authenticity. We don’t pretend that healing is linear, that success is instant, or that people fit into one box. We meet people where they are, and we create opportunities that help them move forward. Whether someone is seeking employment, personal development, support during reentry, or a fresh start, we create safe spaces for individuals to grow into the person they want to become. We are also in an exciting phase of expansion. Some of the new developments I’m proud of include:
Workforce training launches such as hospitality, entry-level construction/ home repair, bartending, pet grooming, and braiding programs that connect participants directly to jobs or entrepreneurial opportunities.
The growth of HUB Life Enterprises, a social enterprise which helps community members build their own small businesses with mentorship, guidance, planning for success, and practical resources.
Increased community outreach through events, resource fairs, and youth activities.
Upcoming service launches, including enhanced reentry services, more vocational training tracks, and community workshops.

Ultimately, my work is a reflection of my own journey finding purpose through service, connection, and continual growth. Healing Urban Barrios is more than a program; it’s a movement built on second chances, resilience, and community transformation. I’m grateful every day to do this work, and even more grateful for the opportunity to expand it so more people can experience healing, empowerment, and real opportunity.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, the three qualities made the biggest impact on my journey: self-awareness, resilience, and the willingness to learn. These weren’t things I mastered overnight; they were built through real-life experiences, hard lessons, and a lot of internal work.

Self-awareness was the foundation of my transformation. It required me to be honest with myself, examine my decisions, and confront the patterns that were holding me back.
Advice:
Take time for reflection. Talking with trusted mentors, or even quiet moments alone and don’t be afraid to cry even when working. Self-awareness grows when you’re willing to sit with uncomfortable truths. It’s the starting point for real change.

Resilience kept me moving forward, even when I was tired, scared, or unsure. My life didn’t change because everything got easier; it changed because I learned how to keep going.
Advice:
Resilience isn’t about being strong all the time; it’s about getting up again. Celebrate your small wins, seek support when you need it, and remember that setbacks are part of the process, not the end of the story.

Once I accepted the willingness to learn and grow and that I didn’t need to have all the answers, my world opened up. I became teachable. I sought mentors, said yes to new opportunities, and allowed myself to grow into someone I never imagined I could be.
Advice:
Stay curious. Ask questions. Take classes. Attend workshops. Find people who are doing what you want to do and learn from them. Your growth will come from stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing change.
If I had to sum it up, I’d say this: give yourself patience, grace, and room to evolve.
Nobody becomes their best self-overnight. Transformation is built step by step, choice by choice, moment by moment. And no matter where you’re starting from, your future is still something you have the power to shape.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

My biggest area of growth in the past 12 months has been stepping fully into my confident self —both personally and professionally. Over the last year, I’ve learned how to trust my voice, make decisions with confidence, and lead from a place of purpose instead of fear. This meant letting go of old doubts, embracing the responsibilities in front of me, and recognizing that the work I do has real impact. I grew in my ability to guide teams, develop programs, and create opportunities for others, but I also grew in understanding who I am as a leader.
But one of the most meaningful areas of growth came in my personal life: finding the right partner, my husband Angel Ramirez, and building a relationship based on trust, communication, and emotional safety. For the first time, I’m experiencing a relationship where I can be myself fully, honestly, and vulnerably. Learning how to open up, communicate openly, and build something healthy has changed not only my personal life, but also how I show up in my work and in my community. It reminded me that love, support, and stability are powerful parts of healing and growth. Finally, I’ve grown in my ability to expand my vision. I’m no longer only thinking about what we need today—I’m planning for the future of our programs, our participants, and our community. I’m moving with more intention and strategy, building partnerships, and setting foundations that will support long-term success. Overall, the past 12 months have been a powerful period of transformation stepping into leadership, deepening my emotional growth, and strengthening both my purpose and my relationships. And I’m committed to continuing that growth every day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.healingurbanbarrios.org
• Instagram: @healingurbanbarrios
• Facebook: @healingurbanbarrios