Meet Trailblazer Christina Castro

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Castro.

Christina, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Three years ago, I was approaching the end of my college education at Auburn University. I was pursuing a degree in Human Development and Family Studies and it was time to apply for practicums so I could graduate. Most of my friends and classmates applied for internships in-state but staying where I was comfortable was never an option for me. (Staying where I’m comfortable comes naturally to me, I would never do anything or go anywhere I didn’t have to if I didn’t purposefully push myself.) Instead, I reached out to homeless shelters in every city. I could see myself exploring and asked them if they could use an intern who specializes in working with at-risk youth and provide housing for her. I asked if I could live and work in homeless shelters in New York, Chicago, LA, New Orleans, and even my hometown, Orlando. Eventually, I heard a response from the Denver Rescue Mission here in Colorado. They offered me a full-time internship and room and board at one of their locations and I jumped at the chance to live in a new city for five months while working with children. Little did I know five months would turn into nine months and eventually I’d move to Colorado for good.

Has it been a smooth road?
Absolutely not. Leaving everything and everyone I knew to move across the United States when I was 22 was hard and scary. I missed my family constantly. Not to mention, working with children in a transitional housing facility meant I was experiencing heartbreak and loss almost daily. But the reward was so worth it. I was making a difference in the lives of kids who were confused and hurting. I was able to tutor kids who were behind in school and often times bullied. I was able to hug kids who had experienced things I would never know about.

My advice for young women starting their journey is to BE BRAVE. Don’t stay where you are safe, go where you are needed and loved. Take risks and be vulnerable. Let people in. There’s a whole world out there that awaits the light that is in you.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
After I completed my 5-month internship at the Denver Rescue Mission and graduated from Auburn, I decided to move back to Denver and continue interning for just $300 a month just for the heck of it. I loved my job and my student’s there, and I hadn’t figured out my next move. After three months of searching for jobs, I was offered the position of a Children’s Ministry Director at Faith Community in Longmont, Colorado. I’ve been working as the Children’s Director for the last year and a half and I still get to volunteer at the Denver Rescue Mission in my spare time.

On top of these two important aspects of my life, I am most proud of my life as a missionary. My family and I have been very active missionaries in Honduras for the last six years. We partner closely with an orphanage, a girl’s home for victims of sex trafficking, and a prison. I talk a lot about my life as a missionary/youth advocate over on my blog and Instagram!

Which women have inspired you in your life?
My mom. She is one of the most selfless people I know. Her heart for others is what has inspired me to also love others deeply and unconditionally!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://christinaclairexo.wordpress.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christinaclairexo/
• Facebook: christinaclaire595@gmail.com

Image Credit:
Alyssa Rusco

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