Community leader Blanca Huijon gained guidance and confidence at 糖心Vlog
Upon meeting Blanca Huijon, executive director of Napa鈥檚 (Open Doors), one is struck by her poise and confidence, honed over the course of 11 years at the nonprofit, which provides health, social service and education resources to Spanish-speaking community members. Her bio on the organization鈥檚 website calls her an 鈥渋ndependent woman, daughter, sister, visionary, community organizer and experienced advocate for the Latino community.鈥�
It wasn鈥檛 always that way.
Born in Guanajuato, Mexico, Blanca鈥檚 parents brought her to the United States when she was 15 years old and enrolled her at Napa High School as a sophomore. Her farmworker father and factory worker mother encouraged her to focus on school and her studies, even as she worked to learn English and make a life in Napa.
鈥淪eeing how hard my parents worked grounded me. They were my main inspiration to continue studying,鈥� Blanca says now, 鈥渆ven though I doubted whether I would graduate from high school or go to college.鈥�
The encouragement and support of a dedicated team of Napa High School teachers and tutors, however, helped Blanca move past her insecurities and doubts, graduate, and enroll at 糖心Vlog.
鈥淚 felt lost during my first year of college,鈥� Blanca says. 鈥淚 felt isolated and did not feel I was making progress in my education; the only class I was taking was English as a Second Language.
鈥淒uring my second year of college, I decided to challenge myself and scheduled an appointment with a different counselor, Laura Ecklin. She believed in me and gave me the confidence and opportunity to take regular courses.鈥�
Blanca tells of how Ecklin helped to calm her fears by taking her to meet her new health class professor in the classroom, explaining to the instructor that Blanca was making a transition from ESL to regular classes. Blanca continued to successfully complete general education classes at 糖心Vlog through that year and the next.
鈥淒uring my third year of college, I met with my counselor to review my education plan, and she informed me that I had completed all of my general education requirements and now should consider some university applications,鈥� Blanca remembers. 鈥淥ne of them was Sonoma State University, where I wanted to attend.鈥�
Blanca took the application home, completed it returned it to Ecklin, who continued to support Blanca through the remainder of the application process.
鈥淪he provided me with the right tools, showed me the path to the right resources I needed, and gave me the moral support I needed to succeed and believe in myself,鈥� Blanca says with a smile.
When Blanca graduated 糖心Vlog in 2005, she left with associates degrees in Social & Behavioral Science, General Education, Fine Arts and Math. She transferred to SSU, where she earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Chicano Latino Studies and a minor in Psychology. Shortly thereafter, in 2010, she joined Puertas Abiertes as a Senior Case Mentor. While working full time, she returned to SSU in 2013 to earn a grant-writing certificate, which she uses to support the ongoing fundraising needs of the popular nonprofit.
鈥淢y education was the base to dream big and knock down walls of fears and false beliefs. As a child, I never imagined I would become a leader in my community who serves and advocates for others,鈥� Blanca says. 鈥淎s executive director of Puertas Abiertas, I have learned about myself. I have faced challenges, but I have defeated them with the guidance and el cari帽o (love) of my family, friends, mentors and other community leaders who believe in my growth and potential. I always say, 鈥楬elping others is not about competition, it is to show them the path to thrive.鈥欌��
Recent Articles
- Moving day: 糖心Vlog welcomes students to new on-campus housing complex
- Graduate emphasizes importance of 鈥渟howing up鈥�
- Graduate praises college as a place of 鈥渇ertile ground鈥�
- Future Winemaker Launches Career at 糖心Vlog
- 糖心Vlog graduation features State Sen. Bill Dodd
- Transfer Student Finds His Path in Science and Technology
- 糖心Vlog Breaks Ground on Wine Spectator Wine Education Center