Where I Found the Community I Wanted to Build
My name is Jasmin Flores. I’m a Case Manager with the Family Reunification Program at The Women's Building.
I am a first generation Mexican American. My parents are both from Mexico, and growing up, I witnessed many of the challenges they and our extended family faced while building their lives in the United States. Those experiences shaped the way I see the world. They taught me empathy, resilience, and the importance of creating spaces where immigrant families feel welcomed, respected, and supported.
When I was finishing my degree in Women and Gender Studies at San Francisco State University, I enrolled in an internship course that required volunteering with a community organization. I knew I wanted to work somewhere that reflected both my academic interests and my personal values. As I searched for feminist organizations in San Francisco, I came across The Women's Building.
The more I learned about its mission and programs, the more I knew it was where I wanted to be. I reached out to the volunteer coordinator, interviewed for a volunteer position, and soon began volunteering one day each week at the Community Resource Room.
What drew me here was simple. The Women's Building is a women-led organization rooted in the Latinx community and committed to supporting immigrant families. As a Mexican American woman, it felt like an opportunity to contribute to a community that had shaped my own life.
I started as a front desk volunteer in the fall of 2019. That experience introduced me not only to the organization, but also to the people who walk through these doors every day seeking information, guidance, and a place where they are treated with dignity.
Toward the end of my volunteer experience, I was encouraged to apply for a part time Case Manager position in the Family Reunification Program. I was grateful for the opportunity to continue working while finishing my last semester of college. A few months later, I transitioned into a full time role, and I have been here ever since.
One memory that stays with me is our Winter Holiday celebration in 2021. The event brought together families in our program to celebrate, receive gifts, connect with other programs at The Women's Building, and simply spend time together.
For many newcomer children, school can feel lonely, especially when they are one of only a few students navigating a new language and culture. Watching those children laugh together, play games, and build friendships was incredibly meaningful. Seeing parents and caregivers relax, connect with one another, and realize they were not alone was equally powerful. By the end of the day, many families told us they hoped we would continue creating spaces like this. That reminded me that community is just as important as services.
My cultural identity has also helped me build trust in ways I never expected. I remember meeting with a family from Mexico during one of our first appointments. At first, the sponsor seemed hesitant and unsure about both me and the program. As we talked, I shared that I am Mexican American and that my family is also from Mexico. Almost immediately, the conversation changed. We began talking about their hometown, how close it was to where my parents are from, and the traditions we shared. What started as a formal meeting became a genuine conversation. That moment reminded me that sometimes trust begins with recognizing a piece of yourself in someone else.
Looking ahead, I dream of a San Francisco where Latinx communities can access every opportunity this city has to offer, regardless of immigration status. I dream of a future where families live without fear, where their voices are heard, their experiences respected, and their contributions valued.
I also dream that The Women's Building continues to grow without having to constantly worry about whether the resources will be there to sustain its work. I hope it remains a place where every person who walks through the doors feels welcomed, supported, and part of something bigger than themselves.
The Women's Building has given me the opportunity to grow alongside my community. It has shown me what becomes possible when care, trust, and belonging are part of the work. If you believe every community deserves spaces like this, I invite you to support The Women's Building. Help us continue creating places where immigrant women and families can build connections, find opportunities, and know they do not have to navigate life alone.
