Generations of Change
Myrna came to Urban Ventures by way of a hard childhood-and a rodeo clown.
Life began in Mexico, born into a family who didn’t know how to care for their children. “When I was six years old I was sexually abused by my uncle,” Myrna shares.
Her childhood – marred by abuse, alcoholism, and violence – is an all-too-common story among participants at Urban Ventures.
But Myrna’s story is also marked by something else found in many participants: resilience. Myrna persevered, and worked to escape the trauma of her childhood through education. While studying journalism in college, she was sent to cover a local rodeo where she met one of the rodeo clowns.
Friendship became love. Myrna and Cesar married, but her childhood trauma followed her. “All the things I was carrying... I was a bitter person. But I wanted better for my daughters. There were a lot of emotions at that time.”
As drug cartels warred, the violence neared Myrna’s home. After a friend’s 5-year-old was robbed at gunpoint, they knew it was time to leave. With a family connection in the Twin Cities, Minnesota became home.
Myrna wanted to grow and heal, but she didn’t know how. “How will I forgive people who hurt me like that?”
A friend invited her to the parenting classes at Urban Ventures. She began to understand things like forgiveness, healthy relationships, and conflict resolution. More importantly, she found support to change. “If we didn’t have the support, we never would have experienced these good things.”
Her eldest daughters began volunteering at Urban Ventures while Myrna and Cesar attended classes. The whole family saw the transformation taking place in Myrna’s life. One of her daughters shared, “You are a better person and a happier person. You treat us differently now!”
Ever since her children were young, Myrna had prayed that they could attend great colleges. Privately, she even prayed specifically that Vivian, the eldest, could attend Bethel University, even though she knew it was financially out-of-reach.
While looking at other schools they heard about a possible scholarship opportunity. What they didn’t know, until they showed up for the meeting, was that it was also an Urban Ventures program. Vivian applied for and received an Urban Ventures Act Six scholarship…to the first cadre at Bethel University! Another answered prayer.
Around this time, Myrna began to consider her own future. “I wanted a job where I could help other people. Where I could say, ‘I understand.’” The very next month, the phone rang. It was Franklin, director of Urban Ventures’ Center for Families. There was a job opening, and he felt she’d be the perfect fit.
Since 2016, Myrna has served as Family Support Specialist for Siempre Padres. In that time, she has helped hundreds of families going through the same classes she attended. She’s been able to say, “I understand,” to countless individuals. Still, she considers herself the lucky one. “I get to keep going to the classes, and I am always learning something new.”
Meanwhile, Vivian recently graduated from Bethel and is pursuing her master’s degree. Myrna’s second daughter, Mariana, received the Act Six scholarship this spring and will begin at Augsburg in the fall. Both want to be teachers. “I want kids in my class, who feel like I did, to know they are not alone.” Mariana shared. When asked to sum up her experience with Urban Ventures, Myrna’s eyes light up. “Urban Ventures for us, for my family, is the bridge that connects our dreams with God’s will. We are really blessed.”
Myrna is grateful to be part of making the work happen, and so grateful for the people who make it possible. “I wonder if our donors know that their support is impacting multiple generations. In the end, it’s going to be a better community and a better city because Urban Ventures is here.”