What is your role at Scottish Rite for Children? 
My role is to help the staff, family, kids and whoever else needs me with interpreting and translation communication services. I translate from Spanish to English or vice versa, in person, over the phone and/or with written communication. 

I believe I am doing more than simply translating words – I am able to help different groups of people deeply communicate with each other. Often times, this process of sharing knowledge helps relieve people of their fears or worries. The interpreting process is always a learning experience.

What led you to Scottish Rite? How long have you worked here? 
By the grace of God. I needed a change in my life, and I have now been able to serve others in a meaningful way for the past 23 years, 7 months and 6 days.

What do you enjoy most about Scottish Rite for Children?
I realize that communication is important and being able to help others with this gift has been priceless. As an interpreter, not only am I able to experience helping change people’s lives, but also help ease the burden of families being in a potentially scary situation. It has been wonderful to be a part of experiencing the thousands of great miracles and changes of life that take place throughout this organization. 

I once had a little boy tell me, “Thank you for your help with translating for us. Can you tell the doctor and nurse that because of my leg, no other kids will be able to tell me that I cannot play baseball with them.” This was one of my first experiences translating at Scottish Rite and it has stayed on my heart and mind ever since. Because of this experience, I will continue to help whoever is in need. 

I also enjoy being able to share the good news about Scottish Rite wherever I go. We change lives here! 

What was your first job? What path did you take to get here?
My first job was when I was 16 in Puerto Rico. I was fully bilingual and worked as a clerk answering phones in a real estate office.
During my third year of university, I was in a car accident in a foreign country. Luckily, I was able to find someone who spoke Spanish and Polish. Since I spoke Spanish and English, I was able to receive help, as well as the English-speaking Americans who were also with me. This experience was my wake-up call that I had been given a second chance at life and should use my language talents to help others.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love to hike different Texas State Parks and find areas in nature where I can sing. I call these my singing in the woods moments. For me, being with nature is a way for me to experience gratitude for all of the blessings that God has placed in my life. Especially placing me at this wonderful place of work.

What’s something—big or small—that you’re really good at?
I like being creative and doing crafts. I love to sing. I love adventures in nature and I definitely like to be around other people. I love to help others in need, I am very religious and I consider myself a successful single parent.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A secretary or work in an airport as a travel agent.

What’s one hobby you’d love to get into?
Working with wood carving and wood crafting.

What’s the first concert you ever went to?
Puerto Rican Symphony Orchestra in the Fine Arts Theater in Puerto Rico.
And here in the states, the musical 32nd Street on Broadway, in New York City.