Meet Patricia Marquez-Singh

 

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Patricia Marquez-Singh a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Patricia, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

Finding your purpose is always evolving, determined by life experiences and both internal and external factors. In many ways I feel like my purpose found me. From a young age I learned the value of service to others and leading with compassion and heart. I became somewhat of a personal navigator for my mother as I helped translate for her everywhere we went. This was a task that I didn’t always appreciate. Over time, I realized what a gift this was. It became my power. Because of this I was drawn to helping others within my own family and began to search for jobs that allowed me to use this unique ability. Through my various roles and experiences, I saw the tremendous needs of my own community and those most vulnerable, marginalized, and isolated. As I continued to support and serve the needs of these communities, I also realized it was important for me to keep growing, learning, and reflecting on my own path. Identifying my strengths and values was foundational in allowing my purpose to be revealed. I knew that the joy I experienced in helping others was fulfilling my life in ways I could never imagine. Through personal reflection I identified my core values and allowed that to guide the way I showed up for life. My core values of integrity, faith, and compassion have guided my work and the way I live my life. They have led me to identify that my purpose is simply but powerfully, to support others when they need it the most, to elevate humankind, and to be an expression of love and compassion.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

As a holistic educator, restorative practitioner, and experienced circle keeper, I have dedicated my career to addressing racial and ethnic disparities; dismantling systemic barriers; and developing culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and healing-centered approaches that are anchored in strengthening relationships and connection. Connecting spirituality and joy to social justice and equity are the basis for much of my life’s work.
For over 20 years, I have been an advocate for children and families in the education, and government systems. I believe healing is the first step to any path and in the power of transformational healing for all. Through my experience and various life roles I have helped to create educational workshops, trainings, and presentations on the topics of trauma responsive care, restorative practices, restorative justice, violence prevention and healing. I also support in creating the conditions within organizations and various groups for collective healing work to take place.
I often say this work chose me. Born to immigrant parents, I often experienced the harsh reality of a new language and culture through my parents’ eyes. From a young age I felt the need to support not only my family but all people.
In 2021, I took the biggest leap of faith in my life and left my job. I lost faith in the institution but not the mission. For almost 20 years I had been doing meaningful work under the umbrella of other systems and it was time to do things on my own terms and follow my joy. I needed to fulfill the dream that my ancestors had for me. It was scary and still is but it is also incredibly rewarding and fulfilling.

Patricia is the founder of ForwardJoy Consulting, and offers consultation, training, leadership engagement and coaching in the areas of transformational healing, trauma-responsive, culturally rooted, restorative practices.
Patricia is also a published author, her book: Healing is for ALL, a collection of poetry marking the path to healing the heart, was released October 2024. She is currently working on more books including a Spanish poetry book.

Patricia was born and raised in Hollister, California and is very proud of her San Benito County roots.
Patricia lives in Morgan Hill, California with her husband Roy and 5-year-old son, James.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

I can’t have a conversation about skills and qualities without talking about being bilingual. More than a skill, or an ability, or basic knowledge, being bilingual has been a true gift-a power. Spanish was and is my first language. Being fluent in both Spanish and English has had a tremendous impact in my life and has shaped every aspect of it. Professionally, it has opened doors that would have otherwise been closed or harder to open. It gave me the ability to serve some of the most vulnerable and marginalized communities, communities that mean a lot to me. I have been able to occupy spaces to represent my Spanish speaking communities and in the process created trust, respect, and compassion within these communities. Personally, Spanish is the language of my ancestors and most of my family. It is what bonds and connects us. Having the ability to pass that down to my own son is very special to me-it is passing down a blessing like no other.
Another quality that has been impactful in my journey is having a strong cultural foundation. Being culturally aware and connected to who and where I come from has given me the ability to appreciate all cultures and love all people. I believe that only when you love all of yourself, can you truly love others. From a young age, my parents made sure my siblings and I knew who we came from and where we come from. They did this through language, traditions, faith, travel, and family values that we still hold today.
An area of knowledge that has played a role in my journey is understanding trauma and its effects. I don’t know a single person that has not experienced trauma in some way, shape or form. I have learned that trauma can affect us in ways we don’t even realize, causing us to feel stuck, hopeless, and less worthy of healing. For the last several years a big area of focus in the work I do is on supporting people to get “unstuck”, to remind them that not only is healing and transformation possible but that they are worthy of it.
Together, these gifts have provided me with the greatest gift of all, the ability to know myself and serve from a truly authentic way rooted in compassion, dignity, and faith. It is because of these gifts that I can navigate the world and support others in navigating their world as a cultural and linguistic interpreter and fellow human being.
To others who are early in their journey or needing a fresh start, I offer this: take time to know who you are and who you come from, dont let others tell you who you are or what and who you should be, take time to identify your passions; what truly brings you joy so you can truly find your ground. Once you do that- you are unstoppable!

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

There are so many things I can share, it is difficult to choose just one. I would have to say the most impactful thing my parents did for me is believe in me. It sounds simple and yet it is so powerful. Everyone deserves a champion, someone who will always have your back, someone who pushes you to be your best, someone who reminds you that you can do anything, and someone who will never give up on you. My parents are my champions. They have always made me feel like I was somebody worthy of doing great things. They invested in my curiosity and my dreams in countless ways. They celebrated all of my accomplishments big and small. Their unconditional love, unwavering support and belief in me have become the backbone on which I can do what I love best: spread joy and hope in the world.

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