From the president
Ariana Cabrera is a projected BA/MA student of psychology and counseling at The Chicago School. Over the past two years, Ariana has excelled as a youth worker and youth advocate. She has facilitated social-emotional learning groups with kids from the ages of 8 to 15 at a local mixed-income affordable housing complex and served as a bilingual Child Advocate with the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights. Ariana is dependable, patient, and kind, and she cares not only about serving her community but also about transforming the conditions around it. Her calm presence endears her to every kid she meets, a vital strength in migrant detention facilities. She also sets an example for her fellow facilitators. A native Chicagoan, Ariana believes that every child in her city has something valuable to offer, and should have the opportunity for healthy growth. She plans to pursue a therapeutic career where she can continue to bring out kids’ best selves, meet diverse communities where they are at, and advocate for their needs.
Personal Statement
I grew up in a low-income neighborhood of Hispanic/Latino immigrants on the south side of Chicago. Unfortunately, my neighborhood suffers from gun violence. On my 14th birthday, I lost a friend to gun violence, and I witnessed the impact that the tragedy of shootings had on my community. Ever since I was a little girl, I loved being involved in helping my community and making a change. In 2011, I was able to participate in Urban Dolorosa, a 6-day movement that brought many communities together to memorialize children who lost their lives to gun violence. Around this time, I started volunteering with Lo Que Puede Venir, a nonprofit aiding families with disabled children. 13 years later, my commitment to service has evolved. I advocate for the rights of unaccompanied/separated immigrant children through the Young Center and provide social-emotional learning opportunities for children with Oakley Square's ExSEL Program. Through these experiences, I have gained valuable insights and skills working with diverse populations, fostering a vision of establishing my own counseling clinic. My aspiration is to offer mental health services and expand access to healing resources, particularly within marginalized, low-income communities like the one where I grew up.