Mariela grew up serving her community in Mexico through the Rotary International and partook in many projects such as: building homes, building schools, visiting and supporting local organizations (home for the elder, home of the blind, orphanages, homeless housing, mental/health hospitals, taught English to low SES students’, organized food and supply drives. She went to an exchange program to Austria through Rotary International to connect and learn from other cultures and partook in service projects oversees. These experiences taught her the love of serving and giving back to her community. “We all have helping hearts, and we can always make a difference and give back! In giving we receive”. My favorite quote from writer Pedro Salinas is basically my life mission- “Si he podido aliviar la pena de algún corazón, mi vida ha servido para algo.” In English it translates: “If I have been able to heal the wound of a broken heart, my life has served it’s purpose”. I want to inspire others to give back and help those in need, we can all do something. Working together we can pave the way for a better world.
I am working alongside The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. As a suicide survivor who also lost my nephew Alan though suicide is reason to work with this organization as my platform as Ms. Illinois International 2022. Established in 1987, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is a voluntary health organization that gives those affected by suicide a nationwide community empowered by research, education and advocacy to take action against this leading cause of death.
AFSP is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. AFSP creates a culture that’s smart about mental health by engaging in the following core strategies:
- Funding scientific research
- Educating the public about mental health and suicide prevention
- Advocating for public policies in mental health and suicide prevention
- Supporting survivors of suicide loss and those affected by suicide
I also support the American Heart Association through the Kids Heart Challenge and Go Red for Women 2021. This organization is very close to my heart, literally! Since my grandmother suffered from a heart condition all of her life and suffered multiple heart attacks. She had a pacemaker which made her live longer and helped her condition. She is now an angel in heaven looking down on us always. She was always an example of strength and hope! And taught us to open our hearts to others to make a difference.
I will be hosting monthly events at local organizations/charities to help those in need and give back to our community. Please join me in this effort, we can all make a difference, no matter how small!
I will be adding the events on my blog and social media, so please don’t forget to follow me!
Love and light,
Mariela
Illinois International Pageants – Illinois International Pageants (ilintlpageants.com)
