By Rebecca
As I am beginning my own journey as a Compañer@ at Taller de Jose, I am amazed at how clients who come here from all paths of life have this resilient sense to overcome their struggles. This can be said whether they came here from a referral from a partner agency or through hearing about our services from a friend. I feel it is resiliency to overcome barriers and not seep through the cracks of the various systems that can deter them in moving forward. The importance of seeking a companion at Taller de José is that individuals have taken a significant step toward finding a solution to the situation they are facing. 
A resilient mother to a family of six children is just one story that astounded me. This family was living in a homeless shelter, and somehow due to the injustices put in front of them, they ended up living in their car. They came to Taller de José for help. To my dismay, their first visit did not provide them many solutions because of the complexities of the system and resources we were trying to access. After our meeting though I wanted to check in with them. I found out that they had found an apartment and are now wrestling with how they can afford the security deposit. The resilient character of this mother to not give up and fall thru the cracks is a notion that gets mostly underrepresented in our society. She keeps on fighting.
As a student of social work I am witnessing macro systems that work against my clients. I am currently seeking the courage and wisdom for how my work as a Compañera can help change these systems. In the face of large institutional injustices, I witness the relationships that connect each and every family that come through our doors. I witness not clients, but community members that through resiliency defy the odds and fight for what is meant to be a right. A right to speak and to be heard, when no one else wants to listen.
So I speak to those in our communities facing struggles not to give up, but stay resilient in the face of crisis. You will be heard and you will have your way. I hope you continue to stay strong and in the midst of it all, you endure. Goodness ought to follow with much persistence. A seguir luchando! Si se puede!
*client details modified to protect client confidentiality
