My name is Karina, and I’m from Los Angeles, California. I have been coming to Mujeres Unidas y Activas for 7 years. I started going to the MUA office in Oakland. A family friend recommended MUA because at the time my mother and I were going through domestic violence. What I like the most about MUA are the meetings. This is a time to vent, learn about different topics and meet different presenters. You can express yourself, there are no secrets you can just let everything out. MUA provides counselors for a lot of meetings. In 2006 I was able to develop many skills in the leadership training; I learned how to organize and rally, but I also learned many skills that would serve me personally. I learned to not be afraid and to be courageous. You are born by yourself so in life you are going to have to do a lot of things on your own, and thanks to MUA I’m not afraid to. I am now volunteering at the high school I attended teaching students about topics like immigration reform. I hope to become a psychologist. I am currently working on finishing my classes at Laney College, and I hope to obtain my Bachelor’s Degree at either San Francisco State University or Pepperdine University.