Jorge Savala
Community Outreach Director
Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks
Santa Cruz, CA USA
“Just because you are from somewhere doesn’t mean that you have to be one of those statistics. Don’t assimilate, be who you want to be.”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationJorge Savala
Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
Both of my parents are immigrants from Mexico—they met while working as migrant farmworkers in California and I grew up living in one of these migrant farm labor camps.
My mother won a lawsuit against the owner of the migrant camp due to the unfit living conditions and our family was able to move to a rural area of Santa Cruz, California.
In high school, I became active in protest movements and advocating for various causes, which was my first introduction to social justice and making a difference.
I started attending Cabrillo College, but had to drop out when my parents lost their jobs so that I could help support them.
Got my certification in computer repair and simultaneously started working as a student services coordinator—by the time I was 21, I had become the director of two computer training schools.
Moved to Florida for a few years and worked as a career coach and job placement specialist for a welfare transition organization.
After moving back to Santa Cruz, I started getting more involved in community development and even helped start a human services campaign in the neighborhood I grew up in.
I am now the community outreach director for the Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Career
Community Outreach Director
Creatively working to ensure California State Parks and beaches are thriving and available to all.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Non-Profit Organizations
Environment & Nature
Upholding a Cause and Belief
Day to Day
I get to create and carry out Friends’ equity and inclusivity strategies to connect underserved community members to California State Parks. As the Community Outreach Director, my main focus is equity and accessibility for non-traditional park users. Recently, I helped create a Kids2Parks program where we pay for school field trips for Title 1 schools. I also serve in volunteer capacities including co-chairing a Youth Violence Prevention Taskforce and serve on the board for two health centers.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for everyone
Volunteer and connect with others. Building relationships is crucial to moving social justice issues forward or building programs with other non-profits.
Recommended Education
My career is not related to what I studied. I'd recommend this path instead:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Society in General:
"You aren't good enough."
Challenges I Overcame
Financial
Gangs / Violence
First-Generation College Student
Interviewed By
Community Driven
California’s community colleges open new doors
