Today we’d like to introduce you to Nadia Contreras.
Nadia Susana Contreras started her career in the non-profit/humanitarian sector as a child. Growing up as a trans-border youth she quickly learned the inequities between Mexico and the US when crossing the border and seeing children beg for food and money but as soon as she crossed, because of her privilege she was allowed to cross this “wall” and just like that… no more begging babies. Her heart has been broken every day since those images and feelings. She knew that was not right. Moving forward in 2009 when she founded Team Green Warming Machinez, a group located in San Diego, CA catering to our now San Diego 4,000 + homeless population.
In late 2011, Nadia co-founded IM MY OWN BLESSING where she is currently the president of the non-profit. IM MY OWN BLESSING focuses on “Empowering Empathy Everywhere” through school curriculum, bi-monthly humanitarian family & youth outings and much more. Throughout the years Nadia has served as an independent community outreach specialist within the communities of Lemon Grove, South Eastern San Diego, and Barrio Logan. Between 2012-2014, Nadia worked for La Maestra Community Health Centers under Carmen Kcomt* where they ran a Legal Advocacy department representing victims of human trafficking, domestic violence, and asylum seekers. By the end of 2014, Nadia decided to change client services to recovering homeless veterans through a company named Volunteers of America.
In 2016, Nadia Co-founded People Over Profits-SD where they focus to bring true and authentic reentry programs to our community members coming out of what she calls “legal abduction aka prison” but also working toward the ending of current legal slavery through our prison systems. Legal slavery exists, read the 13th amendment she suggests. People Over Profits-SD quickly learned that their efforts would include and expose anything that chose profit over human welfare… ANYTHING. Humanizing is her main focus to all her works outcome. So much so that she created a yearlong campaign called “Humanity 365” through People Over profits-SD. Becoming a mother as a teen made her speed up her knowledge on what today is her core work, activism, culture, and justice. Nadia has always had the support of her family even on days they don’t understand why… they still support.
Has it been a smooth road?
My biggest struggle has been my mental wellness and being able to share it with others. Even typing this out makes me nervous but I also know that sharing my weakness’ are strengths I’m working to obtain.
The colonization of my “raza” caused the culture to be machista and work through the pain but our ancestors recognized that addressing it and also caring for it was the way. I am moving backwards to live forward.
Another obstacle that I learned to use to my advantage is being underestimated when a brown girl walks in in her indigenous huaraches and then BOOM, she opens her mouth and she is a hurricane.
I quickly embraced the flowing quote:
I’m not interested in trying to work on people’s perceptions. I am who I am, and if you don’t take the time to learn about that, then your perception is going to be your problem.
-Jim Brown
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am mostly known for my big loving hugs! When I hold you I hold you! I am most proud of my son. I would like to think I did a great job with him, being that he is a respectful kind and loving young man with amazing goals he will obtain however HE did a great job with me. being a teen mother was very hard and challenging. Having the support of my family was such a blessing. It did not protect me from the worlds judgments, agendas or prejudices. We grew up together. He is my savior because without him I would have no care in the world.
Being co-founder to the yearly celebration of the “4 Corners of Life” has really taught me a lot. It’s easy to celebrate one day at an intersection where it was once called “The 4 Corners of Death” but what’s not easy is going back there all year long doing the work. Providing the proper resources to the exact demographics who needs them, developing safe spaces like the #5othandIMPERIAL gather space and learning about the very people who occupy that community… that’s the work by the community that we celebrate once a year. There are so many wonderful organizations creating change for South East San Diego, we cannot forget the effort and the results.
Having the ability to develop “Safe spaces of liberation” (Pablo Aceves) has opened my eyes up to how important it is to have a sanctuary, a safe space. A space where instead of hanging out on the corner where trouble can find you instead you can come to “The Peoples Lot” Or #50thandIMPERIAL where you can get your mind off things or even come up with the answers. Art is a huge part of what I do and makes sure that art is in all project because I believe that ART IS Therapy! This is why I created #MILEofART! We want all artist to cover all of Imperial Ave. with art!!! Our eyes, our hearts, our kids deserve it. Gardens and Art are not the answers to poverty, to the violence or the environmental racism or other things happening in our communities but it is an outlet that will clear your mind to find the answer. I do believe that.
My current work includes case managing and being a legal wedding minister. Case managing has been a passion of mine for some time now. I was doing case management since before I know I was doing it!
Why marriage ministry?
“Love is the most powerful weapon of mass construction.”
So many people around the world have had to overcome so many things to be with the one they love and a monetary burden to obtain legal matrimony shouldn’t be another obstacle.
This is why I strive to put the celebration of your love at the forefront of the occasion and not the corporate greed that takes place when marrying the love of your life.
What sets me apart from others is my transparency. I don’t fail to share with others that I will fail. I will fail even probably fail you at some point, however, I won’t die without trying first.
Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well positioned for?
I feel that woman can do anything! Challenges aren’t biased, they will affect you. It’s not a matter of “have they.” The wonderful thing about being a Mexican woman is walking with yourself and knowing that you are enough. You make it happen. You make it end. You bring life and all the other wonderful souls that have changed the world for the better. There is no revolution without us! I don’t feel its a matter of opportunity but fact.
Contact Info:
- Website: popsd.org
- Email: popsd619@gmail.com
- Instagram: peopleoverprofits_sd
- Facebook: @PeopleoverProfitsSD
- Twitter: @popsd619
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