When advocating for others, you speak up not just for yourself but also for people who don’t have the support they need.
Sometimes nerves get the best of us and we remain silent. But every time one person speaks up, little by little change starts to happen. That is what participating in Lobby Day is all about.
“I try to be the light for other women because I know what it’s like,” said Elishia Carrillo, a current client at Maya’s Place. Elishia joined a group of clients and staff from Crossroads for Women along with ACLU of New Mexico and Bosque School to advocate for criminal justice reform on End Mass Incarceration Day at the State Capitol last month.
Elishia says she was glad they were able to advocate for some of the bills on Lobby Day because they related to her past. “Having the chance to go and lobby was encouraging and educational, and even though I was very nervous to say something, I’m glad I was able to to have my voice be heard,” said Elishia. Change won’t happen in one day. But by taking any opportunity that arises to say something progress is made.
“I try to be the light for other women because I know what it’s like.”
Elishia Carrillo, Client at Maya’s Place
Samantha Anderson, a new Case Manager at The Crossroads, wishes there were more programs available for women, especially for women who have been incarcerated. “Women already have fewer jobs and don’t earn as much, and by adding single parents and those with a criminal record to the mix, employment and opportunities are difficult to find,” says Samantha. “The opposite of crime isn’t peace and rule following, it’s opportunity.”
Both Elishia and Samantha agree that advocating is empowering because you never know who is listening. The story about your past can be an inspiration to others as a way to tell them, “I was this way,” but now “I’m doing this with my life.” Influencing others to recover starts with focusing on yourself first, and recovery isn’t easy. In the words of Elishia, “It’s very hard, but you’re winning everyday when you take it one day at a time. We do recover, and it’s a beautiful experience.”
“The opposite of crime isn’t peace and rule following, it’s opportunity.”
Samantha Anderson, Case Manager at The Crossroads
We sat down with both Elishia and Samantha to learn more about their Lobby Day experience and why advocating for justice-involved women is so important.
Elishia Carrillo – Client at Maya’s Place
What was your take on Lobby Day?
It was really encouraging, educational, and interesting because my mind drew me to all the steps they have to take on bills. I’m glad we were able to learn and talk about certain bills that really stuck out to people like me, with my past.
How did you feel when you were speaking with representatives?
I was very anxious because I wanted them to hear my voice. I wanted them to hear my opinion on certain bills that were not being looked at or hopefully in the future will be looked at. I want them to hear me, because of my past as well, and other people that haven’t had the chance to speak up. I felt like I wanted to be their voice too.
What’s something you wish would be advocated more for women, especially for women who have been incarcerated?
From my experience, I never got rehab. I never got the chance to be sent to get help. I always got incarcerated and got locked up. I did drug programs in the system and they did help. But, only because I asked for help. I would have much rather gotten help out there like the program I’m in now. But I never got the chance to be free and get better. I came out of prison to this program [at Maya’s Place]. I’m so blessed that I’m free to do this program. I’m really learning and growing from this. If I would have had this chance earlier, I would have probably started my life a lot sooner than now.
Why is it important to advocate?
There are women in prison who don’t have that voice, that can’t talk, that are sitting in prison and don’t have the people or the support. Some might not have family support either that will go and speak for them, that will go and help them, and do the paperwork that needs to be done. It’s really neat that people who have the passion and genuineness in their recovery can go out and help other women that don’t have that voice. It’s very important that we can advocate for people.
If you’re genuine and compassionate about it, and you’re serious and honest, then you can put that information out for somebody that needs that help because there are lots of women who are sitting in there for less crimes. Advocating for women that don’t have a voice, I think it’s very admirable and I think it would be very helpful to other women who need it.
How are you an advocate for your community?
I do that now. I chair meetings on Monday nights at cocaine anonymous. I’m in my 4th step of the 12th step program. I have a sponsor, I’ve gone to MATS and told my story to other addicts. I try to encourage here as much as I can in the program to other women that are new, that are struggling. I walk my talk. I try to be that example. I try to be the light for other women because I know what it’s like. I’ve been doing this for so long and I don’t want to do it anymore. I have a son that’s in his addiction right now and I do it for him. I do it for other addicts that are not strong enough. I try to be that person to bring them to the light.
Are there any words of encouragement you have for other justice-involved women?
We do recover, we do. We may have made some mistakes in our life but it’s awesome to see the people who have made it through Maya’s place and through Crossroads. It’s very inspirational to see other women doing this recovery. Recovery is not easy, it’s not. It’s very hard but you’re winning everyday when you take it one day at a time. By the end of the day, when you made it through the whole day, you’re still clean. We do recover. It’s a beautiful experience. I’m doing things that I thought I could never do.
Samantha Anderson – Case Manager at The Crossroads
What was your take on Lobby Day?
I thought that it was a really great opportunity to empower the women and give them a voice in the things that are going on.
What’s something you wish would be advocated more for women, especially for women who have been incarcerated?
Programs. The opposite of crime isn’t peace and rule following, it’s opportunity. There’s a huge lack of opportunity for women. We already have less jobs available and we don’t earn as much and if you add on being a single parent or having a criminal record, it’s almost impossible to find employment and opportunities that will actually make a difference.
Why is it important to advocate?
Advocating is empowering. Advocating for yourself or changes that would benefit you or people like you would give your experience and story a purpose. Women can feel like some of the trauma and experience may benefit their future selves or other women.
How are you an advocate for others?
Everyday I advocate for my clients. But moving forward, it’s important to show women that they can change their lives. That they have power in their life in areas that they maybe didn’t before. The best thing to do is empower people, including myself. Use our story in our past as a way to connect with people or to influence change. Be able to say, “I was this way,” but now “I’m doing this.”
As a case manager, what advice do you give to the women you serve?
The biggest thing that my clients struggle with is taking care of themselves first. What I definitely tell several of my clients is that they can’t transmit what they don’t have; especially with regards to recovery or success. If they don’t have it, they can’t give it away.
Written by UNM student Camilla Ruiz. Photos by Dalilah Naranjo. Interviews have been edited for clarity and length.