Elizabeth watched her mother volunteer at Westminster Free Clinic and was astounded to witness the community's vast needs. As she watched the high school students translate and help patients, she knew she also wanted to help them in whichever way she could.
Elizabeth began volunteering through Westminster's Teen Healthcare Training Internship Pathways program in 2011. Her commitment was apparent in her work during the 3 years she participated at WFC. She was involved in all aspects of the clinic, which included patient care and community outreach. During her senior year at WFC, she and a few other teens started the SALUD (Student Advocates Leading Uplifting Decisions) group. Their first project was to partner with Latino markets to offer healthy food options for those who shopped at the stores. This group of students opened the door for the younger students to address community health disparities by becoming advocates. By this time, Elizabeth knew that her goal in life was to be able to help those less fortunate than herself by doing something in the healthcare field. With the help of WFC, she applied to universities with 4-year nursing programs. Elizabeth's volunteer experience, leadership skills, and grades helped her get accepted into the University of San Francisco and she was admitted into their 4-year nursing program.
Making the decision to move away from home wasn't easy for Elizabeth. She is the first of 4 children. With her mother pushing to finish a 4-year degree and with her father, who works as a window washer, being the only breadwinner, Elizabeth was often the one taking care of her sisters and brother, ages 16, 7, and 1. It was a tough choice to make. However, she knew she needed to follow her dreams and with the support of her parents, she moved 6 hours away.
Elizabeth is starting her 3rd year at the University of San Francisco. She started her externship this fall and knows it will be challenging. She travels 2 hours by public transportation at 6am to get to her externship and then 2 hours back to campus. She is grateful for having been a part of WFC's team. She looks forward to summers when she can work with WFC again and be part of the WFC community, because she knows that she and other students make a lasting impact on the patients at the clinic.