Hello!

My name is Mariela Cruz and I am a Senior Criminology and Criminal Justice Major graduating this May! I have no idea where life will lead me next but I do hope to be able to make a positive difference in people's lives. In the broad field of criminal justice I am very interested in domestic violence which is what led me to come on this trip.

Coming to Knoxville has been a great, rewarding experience from learning more about domestic violence, to helping other organizations like the YWCA to hiking at Ijams. Two specific activities that have been especially rewarding to me have been volunteering at the YWCA center and attending an all-Spanish session for Latina women who have experienced domestic violence.

Quilt with positive messages decorated a hall at the YWCA

On Tuesday, we went to Downtown Knoxville to help around YWCA. We did different tasks such as painting, cleaning, organizing, putting together care packages of toiletries for the female residents and attaching purple ribbons to their cards (purple is the color that represents domestic violence). Although, we were not directly working with survivors, it was a truly rewarding experience to know that we were helping those who directly help these women.

We also walked around asking businesses to post up flyers with YWCA's number and contact info. We were told to tape them in women's restrooms because many might not feel comfortable ripping off a number openly and publicly.
















On Wednesday evening, Jen, Alex, and I had the opportunity to attend the all-Spanish support group for Latina women at the YWCA Phyllis Wheatley Center. This experience was especially impactful to me as a Latina, and coming from an extremely large Latino population that is the Washington D.C. Metro Area. I do not know if we have something like this is DC, or MD, at least not in Montgomery County and I feel like it would be so beneficial and necessary to have a safe, comfortable environment for not only Latinas but for all minority women as well. They started with an ice-breaker as well as letting out anything that happened for them in the past week. The women discussed personal issues that involved their children as well as work. Then we began the topic of the week. Each week, they work and discuss a different topic. This week's topic focused on boundaries that are necessary to have for all types of relationships (partner, children, coworkers, friends, parents) and about what each person has as personal rights. The facilitator Maria stressed the importance of everyone being able to recognize our rights and but limits to those who try to violate them. Most women seemed to feel that their children needed the less amount of limits. I was able to speak my mind as to why I felt limits are definitely necessary for children coming from a daughter's perspective with my mom. While some agreed with me, some felt that they should not put limits on their children because of the few time they spend with them. One woman also felt that she needed several limits on her parents because she felt that if she didn't, they would impose too much in her life (in a negative way). Overall, it was great to see these women feel comfortable with us and allow us to learn more about them and their individual situations. It was a great session, and I hope to see something like this in my own community soon.

My Rights

1. I have the right to say NO!

2. I have the right to not be abused.

3. I have the right to express my anger.

4. I have the right to change my life.

5. I have the right to be free of abuse.

6. I have the right to ask for help from police and social services.

7. I have the right to want to be a good example of communication for my children.

8. I have the right to privacy.

9. I have the right to raise my children safely.

10. I have the right to be treated like an adult and with respect.

11. I have the right to a leave an abusive environment.

12. I have the right to live safely.

13. I have the right to express my talents.

14. I have the right to be protected by law from my abuser.

15. I have the right to earn and manage my own finances.

16. I have the right to make my own decisions about my life.

17. I have the right to change my mind.

18. I have the right for others to have faith in me and be valued.

19. I have the right to make mistakes.

20. I have the right to love and be loved.

21. I have the right to put myself first.

22. I have the right to be ME.