Two truths drive this conversation: images shape policy, and classrooms shape futures. Hollyn speaks with actress, activist, and storyteller Estefanía Rebellón—refugee from Cali, Colombia and co-founder of Yes We Can World Foundation—to unpack how a consent-first media ethic and year-round education are changing the lives of migrant children at the U.S.–Mexico border.
Estefanía takes us from her first days in Miami ESOL to the moment she saw kids stranded without school during the 2018 border crisis. That shock became action: mobile schools, bilingual curriculum, and mental health support that enroll children within 24 to 48 hours of arriving at a shelter. She explains why the team runs all year, adapts to each shelter’s needs, and stretches every dollar—right down to price-scanning supplies—so learning doesn’t stop when headlines fade. We also explore the “Migrant Process” class, where students build pride in heritage and learn to introduce their countries by strengths, not stereotypes.
A major thread is ethical storytelling. Estefania rejects “pity pics,” prioritizing consent and uplifting images so children aren’t forever defined by their hardest moment. That philosophy feeds a broader narrative change effort featuring Latine creators who share vulnerable stories to reach beyond echo chambers and invite honest debate about immigration. We talk about moving from marches to durable systems, building leadership that outlives any founder, and why asking communities what they need should come before designing programs.
If you care about immigration, education access, and the power of narrative to reduce stigma and inspire policy, this is your roadmap. Hear practical ways to volunteer, donate, and amplify work that centers dignity while delivering measurable impact. If this conversation resonates, follow the links below, share with a friend, and leave a review—your support helps us keep elevating stories that move people to action.
Follow, subscribe and learn more about Stories Without Borders on:
Instagram: @Stories_WithoutBorders
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Hollyn (00:04):
Welcome to Stories Without Borders, the podcast.
I'm your host, Hollyn.
Here we interview people whouse the power of stories and
service to promote connection,empathy, and understanding
around the world.
You can learn more online atstorieswithoutborders.org or
follow us on Instagram andYouTube at stories underscore
without borders.
Thanks for listening.
Today, we are speaking withactress, activist, and
(00:31):
storyteller Estefanía Rebellón.
Estefanía is the co-founder andexecutive director of Yes We
Can World Foundation, anaward-winning nonprofit
organization focused onnurturing Latina excellence
through education, culture, andnarrative change.
Yes We Can operates the Yes WeCan Mobile Schools program,
which provides education andmental health resources to
(00:53):
migrant and refugee children atfamily shelters along the
U.S.-Mexico border.
Estefanía was a refugee fromCali, Colombia, whose life was
changed forever at the age of 10when she and her family were
forced to flee their home.
They were granted politicalasylum in Miami, Florida.
Estefanía later set out topursue a career as an actress in
Hollywood.
(01:13):
Among many other credits,Estefanía starred in and
co-directed the film On theOther Side.
Estefania is also the firstColombian woman to receive the
outstanding American By ChoiceAward recognized by the United
States Citizenship andImmigration Services in 2022.
In 2023, Estefanía was named aCNN Hero and a L'Oreal Woman of
(01:37):
Worth.
So welcome, Estefanía.
I'm so happy to have you onthis podcast.
Estefanía (01:41):
Hi Hollyn, thank you so much for hosting me.
It's an honor to be here at theStories Without Borders
podcast.
Hollyn (01:47):
Oh my gosh, I'm so excited to introduce you to our
audience.
As some of them may know, ifthey follow us on our Instagram,
Stories Without Borders, ourfirst service project was
actually a collaboration withyour incredible organization.
So having you on this podcastis such an honor.
I've already covered a littlebit of your biographical
(02:07):
information in the introduction.
I would love for you to tellour listeners a little bit more
about your own immigrantexperience and what motivated
you to create Yes We Can WorldFoundation.
Estefanía (02:18):
Absolutely.
Well, it's an honor to be hereas well.
I'm so proud of you and forexpanding your organization and
now building this platform.
Congratulations on that.
Hollyn (02:26):
Thank you so much.
Estefanía (02:28):
So my family moved to Miami.
We had to leave our homecountry of Columbia because
unfortunately, my dad wastargeted.
He'd received death threats,which is something that nobody
should go through.
At the time I was just a kid.
I was going into sixth grade,and it was a very, you know,
transitional period, especiallyfor a girl.
So it was a lot for me.
(02:50):
I arrived in Miami and had tolearn English, had to adapt,
had to learn to co-live withother kids from other countries.
I had never met anyone fromanywhere else than where I'm
from, Cali.
So that was a struggle and atransition.
And, you know, my livedexperience is what connected me
(03:11):
to this issue.
Hollyn (03:12):
Right.
Estefanía (03:12):
I moved to LA for acting, and I didn't realize
that LA was so close to theUS-Mexico border until the 2018
crisis broke out.
It was thousands of familiescoming up to the border and
being stranded there because thepolitical asylum policies had
changed, and that made forthese families to have to stay
(03:33):
in family shelters on the Mexicoside.
So when this happened and I wasable to go just as a volunteer,
just like you guys came to ourschools to volunteer.
From that moment on, I wasvery moved by what I was seeing
and shocked actually to see thatchildren weren't being taken
care of.
And that's where the ideasparked.
And I knew that for me,education and safe spaces were
(03:57):
so critical when I moved to theUnited States.
So I wanted to build that forother kids.
And here we are, six years in,having built multiple programs.
Hollyn (04:06):
That's incredible.
And just the-- I'm curious.
So you said when you came tothe United States, you had to
learn English, so you knewnothing.
You learned--
Estefanía (04:15):
I knew a little bit of basic words.
My school in Colombia hadtaught us something like the ABC
or colors or fruits, which area great introduction, but
they're not enough to be able toestablish a conversation.
I was very lucky that my familywent to Miami because Miami is
a very unique microorganism inthe United States where there's
(04:38):
a lot of Latinos, a lot of theteachers are bilingual.
So you are coming into a morewelcoming environment.
So I was able to start schoolhalfway through the year and
start learning English.
But I remember being that childthat didn't want to speak up,
that didn't want to be calledout to read because I didn't
(04:58):
want to mess up mypronunciation, I didn't want to
say the wrong thing.
I had a few pronunciationwords that were always a
struggle.
And yeah, it took me about twoand a half years to learn to
speak English.
I was part of the ESOLprogram, which is the program
where a lot of immigrantchildren go through to learn the
(05:19):
language.
And once I was out of thatprogram, I was still very shy.
And that's part of you know, alot of the experiences that
immigrant children go through.
That, you know, you come from avery warm environment where you
know everybody and you havefriends and you know your
teachers, and then you're moved,literally moved to another
place where you know nobody.
(05:40):
So a lot of kids become shy,become very aware of their
culture and their background andstart hiding those things.
And I feel that that's a verycommon experience that people go
through.
Hollyn (05:55):
Yeah, and I just want to expand a little bit on that.
How do you ensure at Yes WeCan that these kids don't hide
that part of themselves, thatthey're proud to be Latino, to
be Hispanic, and show theirculture?
Estefanía (06:07):
We do that through our curriculum.
We have a specific class thatwe created called The Migrant
Process, and it's fullydedicated to building the kids'
confidence to be able to owntheir heritage and to be able to
be proud of who they are, wherethey come from, to also learn
about it, because a lot of kidsthat are coming into our
programs, they may not be awareof, you know, specific things
(06:32):
of even their own countries,right?
So we try to teach them like,hey, these are the highlights of
your country.
So when you meet somebody inthe United States and you're the
new kid in the classroom andsomebody's like, Hey, are you
from Honduras?
Then you can say, like, yeah,I'm from Honduras.
Did you know that my countryhas beaches, has volcanoes, has
a great tourism, like have youvisited?
Instead of being, you know,asked about negative things,
(06:56):
like, oh yeah, I know Hondurasis really dangerous.
Sure, that's a piece of thestory, but another part of the
story is that it's a beautifulcountry that you can visit.
So we try to arm them withthose tools.
Hollyn (07:07):
That's incredible.
And it's great that the kidshave these tools because a lot
of times I feel like thesecountries can be very
stigmatized where it's oh you'refrom Honduras, like you're from
Ecuador, like are you okay?
Are you safe?
Are you-- is your family safe?
And I think it's reallyimportant that they have those
tools.
So once again, incredible workthat you're doing.
Estefanía (07:24):
Thank you.
Hollyn (07:24):
And before starting, before you started Yes We Can,
you were primarily focused inthe entertainment industry and
you've worn many hats inHollywood.
You've acted, you've produced,you've written and directed.
What inspired you to pursuethis career path originally?
And what have been some of thechallenges and what did you
learn along the way?
Estefanía (07:45):
That is a big question.
So I moved out to LA.
I started acting in Miami andI outgrew Miami because a lot of
the work opportunities were inSpanish media only, mostly at
that time, 2010, 2011.
So I knew that I wanted to moveto LA and I did.
(08:07):
And once I started auditioningin the industry, I realized
very quickly that there was alot of stereotypes set out for
women and also for Latina women.
And I became slowly frustratedwith the things that I was being
put out for, especially becauseI had a -- just a different
(08:29):
goal for how I wanted to beportrayed and the opportunities
that I'm looking for.
So at that same time that I waspursuing that career, the
United States had gone throughthe first Trump administration,
and this is when the Women'sMarch became a movement.
This is when Me Too became amovement.
And I started being interestedin activism because I felt that
(08:54):
that's what-- that was the placewhere my integrity aligned and
where I felt valued.
And that's why I startedmoving away a bit from
entertainment and I participatedin the Women's March.
I helped to host two of the MeToo marches here in Los
Angeles.
Hollyn (09:14):
That's awesome.
Estefanía (09:15):
Thank you.
And through that experience, Irealized that these marches
were great to ignite action.
However, if there's nofollow-through, it just kind
of-- the momentum doesn'tcontinue.
So when I was exposed to thisissue at the border, I knew
(09:36):
immediately that I wanted to doit as a nonprofit and I wanted
it to be a formal project thatwould hopefully outlive me.
You know, this is-- I createdYes We Can to help, but I know
that hopefully other people willbe able to take it on and grow
it and for it to be here for along time.
So that was the transition, youknow.
(09:56):
I love acting and it'sdefinitely something that I want
to go back to and dedicate moretime to.
And I think that it's justeverything has happened the way
that it should have happenedbecause now I'm coming back to
the industry a different person.
I'm coming back as somebody whoknows the value of impact and
also storytelling.
And I feel that this time thatI'm going into is where the two
(10:20):
marry.
So I'm excited and we'll seewhat happens.
Hollyn (10:23):
Yeah.
When you said that the-- oryou hope the organization
outlives you, what are yourplans for that?
Estefanía (10:29):
Yeah, so I mean, I've been the co-founder, I'm the
co-founder.
And I've been the executivedirector of our nonprofit for
the past six years, and it's arole that I stumbled upon.
It's not something I set out todo.
But I yeah, I hope that someoneelse is able to come and be the
executive director and that Ican stay on as a board member
(10:51):
and also, you know, havecreative input of the direction
of the organization.
But I know that there arepeople better equipped to serve
that role.
And I hope that eventuallywe're able to be in a position
where we can have a team, afull-time team that can take it
on and continue that path thatwe started.
(11:13):
Because yeah, I definitelywant to continue to pursue
entertainment.
So it's hard to do twofull-time jobs at the same
time, yeah.
Yeah.
And as you know, a big part ofStories Without Borders is using
the power of storytelling tocultivate compassion and
understanding among everybody.
And even though people can havevery different life experiences
(11:36):
and opinions, I believe that ashumans, when we listen to each
other's stories and we actuallysit down with an open mind and
try to understand the otherside, we we grow and it lets us
connect with people on anindividual level.
And this counteracts a lot, Ithink, if not all, of the
stereotypical and negativelycharged, politically charged
(11:59):
information that people absorb,especially through social
media.
And I feel like yourorganization, Yes We Can, has
really amplified that value somuch.
And so I'm wondering how haveyou utilized your talents as a
storyteller and how have youapplied them to activism?
Thank you.
That's a really interestingquestion.
(12:21):
So I think what set us apartfrom the beginning is that I am
a person who experienced this.
I personally understand whatit's like for your life to be
uprooted and for you to go frombeing whether, yeah, like having
your own room and being in atwo-bedroom house to then
sleeping in a one-bedroom withyour five family members on
(12:43):
mattresses on the ground becausethat's all you have when you
move to a new country in the waythat we did.
So I understand that this is amoment in time.
When we started Yes We Can, Iwas very aware that I didn't
want to put out pictures of thekids in distress, um,
distressful situations.
(13:04):
I didn't want to showcase themwith, you know, in a room
overcrowded with broken shoes.
In the nonprofit industry,it's called like pity
campaigns or poor campaignswhere you see photos that expose
(13:27):
the person to generate pity,right?
And I was very aware of that.
So it's something that wedidn't want to do.
That's why, Yes We Can, we havecolorful t-shirts and we
usually only post pictures ofthings that the kids are doing
that is successful or happiness.
And it's not that we're hidingthe fact that they're going
(13:48):
through a really stressfulsituation, it's the fact that we
understand the value of what apicture can do.
And I never want the kids inour program to look back at this
time of their life and feelashamed and feel that they were
to a certain extent exploitedto move a cause.
Yeah.
So that's the part ofstorytelling, being aware of
(14:11):
what you're putting out as acreator and what you're putting
out, what the messaging is.
Because sure, something mightget you to your goal faster, but
you can do the same with adifferent, a different
perspective.
So my background inentertainment has definitely
guided the way that we have putout content with Yes We Can.
Hollyn (14:32):
That's great because I feel like a lot of times, and I
I I agree with you that thispity generating images can be
really, really detrimental notonly to the kids, but it can add
this sort of uh stigma aroundthe topic of migration because
you've created the space wherethese kids can explore and be in
school and have fun and just uhbe kids, even in the midst of
(14:54):
their this extremely stressfulsituation.
Estefanía (14:57):
Yeah, and something that's really important to us is
that that this is what I hopethat people understand that that
photo you're taking of a personor that video that you're
taking of a person is capturinga really crucial moment in their
life.
Yeah, and it's gonna existforever.
The kids are gonna grow up, thefamilies are gonna move on,
they're gonna go on to have adifferent life, but that
(15:20):
reference will always be there.
So, what do you want thatreference to be?
Do you want it to be positiveor or if it needs to communicate
a really distressful situation,can it be done in an ethical
way in which the family is onboard to do that?
Because sometimes the subjectsare taking, are being
photographed and they don't evenknow what the photo is for.
(15:41):
And it ends up becoming a viralmoment.
And then years later, which hashappened already, the people in
the photo are saying, I didn'tknow that that's what the photo
was going to be used for.
So I always think it's reallyimportant as a as having some
entertainment understanding umto talk to the families and ask
(16:01):
them, like, are you okay doingthis?
So that's why like all thechildren, and as you guys know,
when you visit us, we always askfor permission of the parents
and whoever is not able to befeatured, we usually put a
wristband or ask them to step tothe side or we put emojis on
their faces.
Um so that's something I reallyfeel strongly about.
Hollyn (16:21):
Thank you for asking.
Of course.
I mean, because it's soimportant, especially because
these people, these migrantchildren, they're humans too.
I feel like it can be so easyto forget that, especially if
we're only seeing pictures ofthem on screen, if we're only
seeing these moments of distressthat they're in.
But just I feel like again, uhthey're people at the end of the
(16:42):
day, and that they deserve tohave their wishes respected.
Estefanía (16:46):
Absolutely.
Yeah, it's really important.
And I hope that whoever goesinto impact and storytelling as
you're doing is able to keepthat in the back of their minds
that you know at the end of theday, these are human beings and
that their story is verycomplex, and this is just a
piece of it, an important pieceof it, but not all of it.
Hollyn (17:05):
But it's so easy to just narrow in on one part and say
this is their entire identity,right?
It's not that they are bad,they are storytellers, they are
coders, they are artists, theyare they are so much more than
this one moment.
Estefanía (17:20):
Absolutely.
Hollyn (17:21):
I know that yes, we can have started doing some work
related to narrative change andfocusing on narrative change.
What would you like to sayabout the importance of using
storytelling to nurture positivenarratives about communities
that are misrepresented in themedia?
And I know we sort of got intothis a little bit, but I I think
I want to give you this spaceto sort of just really talk
(17:41):
about this.
Estefanía (17:42):
Of course.
Yeah, narrative drives cultureand drives sometimes education
and decisions, even policy.
So being able to put out mediathat is representative
representative of who peoplereally are, and also passing the
mic on to those people and notproducing things that don't
(18:03):
include the people that you'retrying to uplift is is
definitely um, you know, whatwe're trying to combat.
So our Yes We Can mission hasexpanded and our narrative
change pillar now is going to bejust that a vehicle to promote
the stories in the Latinocommunity and the immigrant
community.
(18:24):
Um, we have a really excitingcampaign coming out with Latino
influencers who donated theirplatforms to be able to share
their own stories.
And it was a really amazing umexperience because these were
influencers that chose thisplatform to be able to share a
vulnerable piece of their story.
And that's the genesis of it.
You know, I want people to beable to be comfortable, to feel
(18:46):
safe, and to know that, youknow, the the yes we can uh
narrative change um communitythat we're building is a place
where they can share thosemoments that mean a lot to them
and also to drive conversation.
You know, we have some clipsthat are intended for uh people
that don't agree withimmigration.
And, you know, I I believe thatwhen you're building media and
(19:09):
when you're putting things outthere to the world, it's it
shouldn't be to just keep theconversation with the people
that agree with you because thenyou're just you're limiting
yourself.
You know, we're buildingconversation to expand beyond us
and to actually try to makechange in that way.
Hollyn (19:25):
Yeah, I feel like especially sometimes it's really
hard.
I mean, I it's really hard towant to branch out and listen to
different perspectives thanyours because you've built this
bubble.
But I think it's important tochallenge and to have
discussions that really provokeis this right?
What is wrong?
What is right?
And it's just amazing thatyou've been doing this work.
Estefanía (19:46):
Thank you.
Yeah.
And I mean, if if you talk tosomebody that you don't agree
with and you come to a commonground, then that moves us
forward more than if you're justtalking to your bestie who's
like, yes, girl, I agree.
Just your personal hype, likeyour personal hype community.
Hollyn (20:02):
And there's space for that.
Right.
But that's not going to move usforward.
You're going to stay in thesame space.
Um, and that's why it's reallyimportant to have diverse and
varying perspectives on thingsbecause that's what moves us
forward.
That's what gets us to a betterplace as a society.
For sure.
I would love to talk aboutStories Without Borders and our
collaboration because I've hadso much fun doing it.
(20:24):
And I feel like this is uhagain, your work, and Yes We
Can's work is so, so important,especially now.
And I'm so honored that I'vebeen able to amplify that and
help out in ways that I can.
So I'm just gonna give a littlebit of context for the
listeners.
So during the school year, whenI was in eighth grade, my
(20:45):
friends and I read a wonderfulbook called The Barefoot Dreams
of Petra Luna by Alda P.
Dobbs, who we actuallyinterviewed on this podcast,
which was incredible.
The premise of the book is it'sabout a girl named Petra, and
she flees her small town inMexico because of the Mexican
Revolution.
And the story is about herjourney, and it really focuses
(21:06):
on her love of learning and herjust wish to learn how to read,
how to write.
She wants to go to school.
And that was something that wasreally touching to me.
And so I started doing someresearch about this topic
because Bit that story was soheartwarming, and it just hurt
uh just that palpable love ofeducation and desire to learn
(21:28):
was something that I couldrelate to.
And so I decided to do someresearch about just how is
education approached withmigrant and refugee children.
At that time, there was a lotof stuff in the news about
immigration.
So I started doing research ontopics that the book covered,
like educational disparities.
And that's how I stumbledacross the Yes We Can
(21:50):
organization.
And it just the work that youwere doing, the bus renovations
for the mobile schools, justthat providing the safe space
and quality bilingual education.
It was just so uh so touchingto see.
And it was so uh, I want to sayrelieving to see that yes,
there's being work done.
There's people, there arepeople out there who are trying
to make better space for thesechildren.
(22:11):
So I wanted to help.
So I got a bunch of friendsthat were former and current
classmates, and uh we starteddoing a bunch of
awareness-raising activities.
We did school supply drives forYes We Can.
We did assemblies focused onthe issues.
Like we had, I think you cameback to a couple of the
assemblies, which is awesome.
I loved being able to introduceyou and and I love that you
(22:34):
were able to share your storywith a bunch of my classmates
because I think, again, it'sreally important that people
hear these stories.
And we also did a bunch offundraising.
We did bake sales and westarted up a GoFundMe.
And then this all culminated inour very first service trip
with 40 plus volunteers.
I mean, I still can't believe Isaid 40.
(22:54):
Um, and we we all went down toTijuana to spend a day in
community and service with thechildren.
Uh, we did a bunch ofeducational activities such as
poetry writing, coding, singalongs, read alouds um with the
kids, which is so much fun.
And I got to know some of thekids on a personal level, which
is uh incredible.
And that's I feel like that'ssomething you don't really see
(23:16):
or you don't really get to seewhen you're just you know
donating or when you're justback throwing a backpack into a
school supply bin.
But I just feel so blessed andhonored to be able to have this
opportunity.
It's really easy to forget thatthese kids are just kids, just
like me and just like any otherAmerican kid.
They just happen to be thrownin this awful circumstance.
And at the end of the day, wehad an awesome celebration for
(23:40):
all the kids who had spring andsummer birthdays, which was so
much fun.
And we got to sing LasMañanitas.
It was really nice to be ableto just have fun with the kids
instead of being in a learningenvironment, which is something,
again, I really appreciateabout Yes We Can because they
really balance learning and fun.
They make learning fun, butthey also uh leave room for just
fun stuff in general.
(24:00):
And you were so, so supportiveof us.
Um, even though we were just,you know, a bunch of teens
basically just like, we want todo this, we want to go to
Tijuana and spend time with thekids, which we got a lot of
support from Mario, the programdirector, and he is incredible
and he really knows his stuff,which was great.
So far, Stories Without Bordershas done three trips down to
Tijuana, and we plan on doingone every year.
(24:21):
And we're just so grateful tobe able to have this space and
have this opportunity to be ableto do this.
I remember when I first reachedout to you and we were on that
Zoom meeting, it was a lot offun to be able to talk to you,
get to know you and yourorganization.
I was really thankful that youwere really supportive of
Stories That Borders, because atthat time, Stories That Borders
(24:41):
was really just, really justbeginning to start.
And I want to know what wasyour experience during our
collaboration?
What did you think when wereached out to you?
And what have been things thatlike you learned along the way
during our collaboration?
Estefanía (24:57):
Yeah, well, thank you so much.
I mean, I'm so happy that yougot to experience and to go meet
the kids because that's you'reright, the one-on-one
interaction with the kids andseeing the situation firsthand
is on like anything.
Um, I was really supportive ofyou guys because I started um I
started Yes We Can just out ofan idea and wanting to help.
(25:22):
And I had a lot of people alongthe way also believe in me and
I didn't know what I was doing.
We literally watched a YouTubevideo to file our legal
paperwork, and we watchedYouTube videos to build the
buses.
So um, you know, we even hadMike, who was the person who
sold us the first bus, becomeour unofficial mentor because he
(25:44):
could clearly tell that wedidn't know what we were doing.
And I just think that there'salong the way that, you know,
people will support you whenthere is a genuine want to help
and to do it for the rightreasons.
And yeah, I'm so proud of youguys.
You guys are teenagers.
At your age, I was definitelynot thinking about this.
And the fact that you are sointerested in helping other
(26:07):
people and creating impact, Ithink is extraordinary.
I hope that many more teens areable to watch you guys and to
get involved.
And also, you know, aside fromfrom it forming as a group, you
know, the leadership behind it,which is mostly, you know, the
the core team that you guys haveand you being, you know, the
(26:28):
one that's like bringing themtogether, it's really exciting
to watch that as well.
Because, you know, like I said,I I hope that our foundation
continues on beyond us.
And I feel that watching youguys gives me hope that there's
a generation interested in thesetypes of topics and that you
guys will be able to take on thetorch with your own projects.
(26:50):
And also, yeah, it was reallyexciting when you guys said that
you were forming this and thatyou were starting your own
nonprofit, and that you know,you have all these ideas, and it
just reminded me a lot ofmyself that I just, you know, I
have all these ideas of things Iwant to do, and I don't really
know how to do them, but I knowthat we'll figure it out along
the way.
Um, so I really just felt thatyou guys had that energy and you
(27:13):
still do, and you're growing.
Like this is clearly um a bigmoment for you as well, creating
this podcast.
So I'm really excited to watchyou guys grow.
Uh, and yeah, it'll be awesometo, I think I met you at 13, I
guess.
Yeah, I think 13.
So it'd be really wild to justwhen you're become an adult and
continue on with your journey tosee where all these leads to.
Hollyn (27:36):
Thank you so much.
That really means so much tome.
And and I'm really gratefulthat that you uh have so much uh
just compassion that youbelieve in us because I find a
lot of times it's hard foradults to believe in uh
teenagers, especially, but youngpeople in general.
And it's just uh it's reallyjust uh affirming that that we
(27:58):
that there's someone out therethat's like you guys can do
this.
I see you, I I see myself inyou, and you guys are gonna do
amazing things.
I feel like that that's reallyempowering.
I'd love to ask a few morequestions about your day-to-day
work as an activist and as anadvocate, and as well as your
vision for the future.
Why don't we start off withlike what is the general daily
(28:20):
schedule for the students thatyou serve?
Estefanía (28:22):
Yeah, so our school programs are full-time programs,
which means that our kids arein school Monday to Friday from
9 a.m.
to 3 p.m.
We work the entire year, wedon't take summers off, and we
don't take holidays off besidesyou know official Christmas
holidays.
Um, and the reason we designedit that way is because migrant
children don't have the theprivilege to enter a regular
(28:45):
school um year.
So anytime that a kid arrivesat one of our partner shelters
within 24 to 48 hours, they'reable to be enrolled in our
program.
And we design it that way soit's accessible right away.
And um, yeah, the day-to-dayactivities, you know, as an
executive director, I handle alot of the administrative work
for the nonprofit, also uhvolunt, I do a lot, volunteer
(29:09):
management, social media, uhfundraising, uh, you know, now
with this media effort thatwe're doing, producing, and just
wearing a lot of hats becausewe are such a tiny team, right?
But um, yeah, I mean, I thinkthe impact that we're creating
is just it sometimes itsurprises me, honestly, because
(29:30):
we stretch the money that we getso far.
Like I'm literally the type ofperson that's at Walmart with a
scanner checking what the pricesare of each single item.
It's so maximize.
So uh yeah, it's been it's beenan incredible adventure for
sure.
Hollyn (29:47):
I feel like we've sort of covered this, but how does
the organization accommodateeach shelter's needs?
How do you how do you deal withthe different challenges that
every new shelter presents?
Estefanía (29:58):
Yeah, so uh usually we meet With the shelter
director, and um either theyreach out to us or we reach out
to them, and we have an initialmeeting where they share what
the challenges are.
So, for example, the firstplace that we started at, um,
Letty, the director, she hadbeen wanting to have a school
program for a long time, but shedidn't have any resources.
So, when we got there, it wasliterally perfect timing that
(30:20):
she needed that program and thatwe were there to provide it.
So, we that location we've beenat since day one, six years
ongoing.
And um other shelters, um, forexample, the newest location
that we have, um, the reasonthat we stepped in is because
unfortunately, with everythingthat's going on at this at this
time politically, a lot ofnonprofits pulled out.
(30:42):
Um, and the director reachedout to us and said, Hey, I don't
have anybody directing oureducation program.
Can you guys step in?
Um, and we were able to, youknow, um, with the support of
donors and very generous um uhdonors that wanted to support
this.
So we stepped in, and in thatshelter, we're basically doing
(31:04):
um the education uh program forthe shelter, but also overseeing
all the smaller programs thatcome in and all the volunteers
that come in.
So it's it's a bit of adifferent role, um, but it's
really all designed by thedirector's needs.
Um, you know, even starting thenonprofit, and it's something
that I like to share witheveryone that my my belief about
(31:25):
nonprofit work is that youshould always ask the people
that need help what they what itis that they need and not
create programs that you feelare gonna help them.
Um, it should be the other wayaround.
You know, have that initialconversation and ask what do you
guys need help with andaccommodate the impact that
you're able to make to servethat rather than the other way
around.
Hollyn (31:46):
Yeah, a hundred percent.
Um, and how do you hope toexpand Yes We Can in the future?
Estefanía (31:52):
Well, we're expanding right now, we're growing.
Thank you.
Congratulations.
Thank you.
Um, so yeah, we started Yes WeCan with a single focus on
education, and now we'reexpanding it to include cultural
programs, um, which they'rethey're gonna be clubs, school
clubs.
And um, the second uh way thatwe're expanding is by doing the
(32:14):
narrative change.
So I feel that going into yearsix, the first five years we
figured out what we were doing,the mission, how things work.
And now the next five years ofthe foundation, I think that
these two pillars are gonna takeus in in a different direction.
And I'm not sure where youknow, the future years, like we
(32:37):
definitely want to have aheadquarters in Los Angeles and
we want to build out a spacewhere it can function as a
volunteer center, a supply driveuh area, and also have like our
studio there.
So there's a lot of ambitiousgoals, and I hope that uh, you
know, I'll definitely be part ofthat growth.
(32:57):
Um, but I'm also really, reallyexcited to build a team that
can support us.
That's incredible.
Hollyn (33:03):
And what do you hope that people learn or take away
from your work as an activist?
Um, both those you directlyserve and just the general
public.
Estefanía (33:13):
I think the biggest advice I would give anybody
that's interested in helping,especially during these really
difficult times where we at homeare watching horrendous things
on the news and social media, isthat it's cliche, but it's
cliche for a reason that everyliterally every person can make
a difference.
And I've lived it.
(33:33):
I was just a volunteer who wentdown to help and donate a piece
of clothing, a few clothes, andthat spurred uh me founding a
nonprofit.
So if I didn't have thatexperience and that exposure,
maybe this would have neverhappened, but I don't know.
So I always share with anyoneif you feel like you want to
(33:55):
help, just just do it.
You know, you'll figure it outalong the way and you yeah,
you'll find people that alignwith you, you'll find people
that want to support you.
Hollyn (34:05):
Um but you'll never know unless you start that is so
meaningful, and I feel like itwill resonate with a lot of
people just because ofeverything and just thank you so
much.
I'd love to do some funlightning round questions just
at the very end.
I always I love doing them.
Um, so the the format for theseis quick question, quick
(34:27):
answer.
Are you ready?
Yes, I'm ready.
All right, three, two, one.
What is your love language?
Honestly, helping people.
Ooh, yeah, I think I feel likethat's definitely one of mine.
I feel like I have all five.
I know that there's like fiveofficial love languages, but I
think I every time I read them,I go, Oh, that I do that.
What do you say when you pickup or answer the phone?
Estefanía (34:50):
I usually say hello, or if it's my family, like just
like hola papi or hola papi.
Hollyn (34:58):
Yeah, yeah.
I don't know.
Kind of basic.
I mean, I do that too.
I I say hello and then whenwith my family, I'm like, hi
mom, hi dad, hi Alice.
Estefanía (35:07):
Something that surprises me is the amount of uh
FaceTime.
Like that's increased a lot.
Especially I have a niece who'snine, her name is Camila, and
she learned how to use the iPad.
So she'll randomly FaceTime me.
I'm like, Camila, I'm working.
Like, I'll call you back.
So I think that that's that'sthe the different thing now.
What movie has made you cry?
(35:28):
Oh my gosh, all of them.
But I am I've I watch Titaniclike endlessly, so I've cried a
lot to that.
Oh I bet um anything that hasto do with dogs make me cry.
Hollyn (35:43):
I think I've only cried.
There was a um Sumin Kogarashimovie, which is like a Japanese
cartoon part of Sanry, I think.
And they had a movie a coupleyears ago and it was about
different fairy tales, and Ijust remember like internally
crying, and I think I cry when Ithink about it.
And then I also cried, I think,during Inside Out too.
(36:05):
I was just like, this is soyes, yeah.
What is your dream vacationdestination?
Estefanía (36:11):
One of them, um, it's coming up, it's Thailand.
I'm obsessed with animals and Ilove animal sanctuaries, so I'm
really excited.
I'm going to this um elephanthotel where they like come to
you.
Oh my god.
I'm super, super excited aboutthat.
And then eventually, um, adream vacation would be like an
African safari.
(36:31):
I love animals.
That's if I was in animmigration, I would totally be
doing animal conservation.
That's awesome.
Yeah, yeah.
Hollyn (36:39):
Animals are so cool, especially I think the exotic
animals, especially the ones inThailand and Africa.
Movies or TV shows?
Estefanía (36:47):
I would say prior to streaming services, movies, but
now TV shows.
The content has been reallyelevated.
So I I I enjoy both.
Hollyn (36:56):
Yeah, I enjoy both too, but I think I usually gravitate
towards movies, but I would liketo start watching more TV
shows.
What is your favorite arts andcrafts project?
Estefanía (37:06):
Um, I do like to do scrapbooks.
Like I love photos and I lovememories and I love um little uh
pieces of whatever.
Like I know on on TikTok peopledo the really big scrapbooks.
I haven't started one yet, butyou know, people save like a
ticket that they use to ride abus somewhere or a a concert
(37:30):
ticket, and they make reallyelaborate things that's on my
to-do list.
Hollyn (37:36):
But yeah, what about you?
I would love I likescrapbooking.
I would like to get intoscrapbooking.
My friend made me, um, not mademe, but she gave me this little
plastic container and I starteda trinket box.
I've been slowly adding things,which I like painting a lot.
I like doodling and drawing.
I don't know if that's arts.
Yeah, that is arts and umcupcakes or donuts.
(37:58):
Donuts.
Really?
I'm gonna have to go withcupcakes.
If you could only eat one foodagain for the rest of your life,
what would it be?
Estefanía (38:06):
I know this question because I I've I've like said it
a few times in my life.
I am obsessed with pasta.
Ooh, pasta.
So anything Italian, I wouldhave it.
I if I if I could, I would haveit for every meal.
Hollyn (38:21):
I love, love pasta.
Pasta is delicious.
For me, I would have to say umthe Taiwanese bento boxes
because they have everything.
They have the rice, which is astaple.
I love rice.
You can never go wrong withrice.
Um, they have vegetables andprotein, so it's like you get a
well-balanced meal.
And it's if you have it everyday, you're and they're
beautiful too.
Estefanía (38:41):
The presentation I'm a big aesthetic person.
Hollyn (38:44):
Yeah, 100%.
Estefanía (38:45):
Yeah.
Hollyn (38:45):
What is your favorite play or musical?
Estefanía (38:48):
I recently watched um do you say watch?
I attended.
Um, I don't know.
I don't know.
Whatever.
Um Moulin Rouge on Broadway.
It was beautiful.
The production was wasincredible.
Um, the acting, the music.
Um, it's a little bit of a, Iwould say maybe more adult play.
(39:10):
Um, but it was great.
What about you?
Hollyn (39:13):
Right now, I'm really into SUFs.
It's about the suffragistmovement in the United States,
and it's such it's beautifullydone.
The music is incredible.
It's really just it gets youemotional and choked up.
There's a death um in themiddle of the play, and it just
gets you the waterworks going.
(39:34):
I'm a big cry baby, so probablycry too.
Estefanía (39:37):
Yeah.
Hollyn (39:38):
So the last question, we're gonna go a little deep.
What advice would you give toyour younger self?
Estefanía (39:43):
Oh my gosh.
Uh the advice I would give tomy younger self is to be
patient.
I feel that I'm a I'm a veryfast going person and I want
things to be happening reallyfast because in my head they've
already happened.
Um, but um, I I think learningto be patient would be a big one
(40:03):
for me.
Hollyn (40:04):
So normally before we wrap up, I ask my guests if
there's a specific organizationthat they want to highlight.
And obviously, we're heretalking about your amazing
organization, YesWeCan.
So today I wanted to ask youwhat can our listeners do to
support YesWeCan and just thework that your organization is
doing.
Estefanía (40:25):
I think anyone that's interested in supporting um can
definitely reach out to us.
Our website is yeswe can thatworld.
Uh so we have social media,which is at yeswecanwf.
Um, we're always fundraisingfunds um to be able to continue
to do the work that we're doing.
So donating is always great,but also volunteering.
Um, so yeah, they can justfollow us, get in touch with us,
(40:47):
and continue to amplify themission.
Um, thank you so much, Holland,for having me.
Um this has been so fun.
Thank you.
I am so proud of you.
And it's just really excitingto to just yeah, see the growth,
also see you um open up in thisway and host these important
(41:07):
conversations that again at yourage I was not thinking about.
So the fact that you're doingthis and inspiring other
students to get involved isreally mind-blowing to me.
So, congratulations.
Hollyn (41:19):
Thank you so much, and I really appreciate you coming
onto this podcast.
Being able to talk to you issuch an honor.
Thanks for listening to StoriesWithout Borders the podcast.
Please rate and review the showon your favorite podcast
platform.
You can learn more online atstorieswithoutborders.org, or
follow us on Instagram atstories underscore without
(41:40):
borders.
And if you like watching ourpodcast, subscribe to our
YouTube channel at storiesunderscore without borders.
Welcome to Stories Without Borders, the podcast.
I'm your host, Hollyn.
Here we interview people whouse the power of stories and
service to promote connection,empathy, and understanding
around the world.
You can learn more online atstorieswithoutborders.org or
follow us on Instagram andYouTube at stories underscore
without borders.
Thanks for listening.
Today, we are speaking withactress, activist, and
(00:31):
storyteller Estefanía Rebellón.
Estefanía is the co-founder andexecutive director of Yes We
Can World Foundation, anaward-winning nonprofit
organization focused onnurturing Latina excellence
through education, culture, andnarrative change.
Yes We Can operates the Yes WeCan Mobile Schools program,
which provides education andmental health resources to
(00:53):
migrant and refugee children atfamily shelters along the
U.S.-Mexico border.
Estefanía was a refugee fromCali, Colombia, whose life was
changed forever at the age of 10when she and her family were
forced to flee their home.
They were granted politicalasylum in Miami, Florida.
Estefanía later set out topursue a career as an actress in
Hollywood.
(01:13):
Among many other credits,Estefanía starred in and
co-directed the film On theOther Side.
Estefania is also the firstColombian woman to receive the
outstanding American By ChoiceAward recognized by the United
States Citizenship andImmigration Services in 2022.
In 2023, Estefanía was named aCNN Hero and a L'Oreal Woman of
(01:37):
Worth.
So welcome, Estefanía.
I'm so happy to have you onthis podcast.
Estefanía (01:41):
Hi Hollyn, thank you so much for hosting me.
It's an honor to be here at theStories Without Borders
podcast.
Hollyn (01:47):
Oh my gosh, I'm so excited to introduce you to our
audience.
As some of them may know, ifthey follow us on our Instagram,
Stories Without Borders, ourfirst service project was
actually a collaboration withyour incredible organization.
So having you on this podcastis such an honor.
I've already covered a littlebit of your biographical
(02:07):
information in the introduction.
I would love for you to tellour listeners a little bit more
about your own immigrantexperience and what motivated
you to create Yes We Can WorldFoundation.
Estefanía (02:18):
Absolutely.
Well, it's an honor to be hereas well.
I'm so proud of you and forexpanding your organization and
now building this platform.
Congratulations on that.
Hollyn (02:26):
Thank you so much.
Estefanía (02:28):
So my family moved to Miami.
We had to leave our homecountry of Columbia because
unfortunately, my dad wastargeted.
He'd received death threats,which is something that nobody
should go through.
At the time I was just a kid.
I was going into sixth grade,and it was a very, you know,
transitional period, especiallyfor a girl.
So it was a lot for me.
(02:50):
I arrived in Miami and had tolearn English, had to adapt,
had to learn to co-live withother kids from other countries.
I had never met anyone fromanywhere else than where I'm
from, Cali.
So that was a struggle and atransition.
And, you know, my livedexperience is what connected me
(03:11):
to this issue.
Hollyn (03:12):
Right.
Estefanía (03:12):
I moved to LA for acting, and I didn't realize
that LA was so close to theUS-Mexico border until the 2018
crisis broke out.
It was thousands of familiescoming up to the border and
being stranded there because thepolitical asylum policies had
changed, and that made forthese families to have to stay
(03:33):
in family shelters on the Mexicoside.
So when this happened and I wasable to go just as a volunteer,
just like you guys came to ourschools to volunteer.
From that moment on, I wasvery moved by what I was seeing
and shocked actually to see thatchildren weren't being taken
care of.
And that's where the ideasparked.
And I knew that for me,education and safe spaces were
(03:57):
so critical when I moved to theUnited States.
So I wanted to build that forother kids.
And here we are, six years in,having built multiple programs.
Hollyn (04:06):
That's incredible.
And just the-- I'm curious.
So you said when you came tothe United States, you had to
learn English, so you knewnothing.
You learned--
Estefanía (04:15):
I knew a little bit of basic words.
My school in Colombia hadtaught us something like the ABC
or colors or fruits, which area great introduction, but
they're not enough to be able toestablish a conversation.
I was very lucky that my familywent to Miami because Miami is
a very unique microorganism inthe United States where there's
(04:38):
a lot of Latinos, a lot of theteachers are bilingual.
So you are coming into a morewelcoming environment.
So I was able to start schoolhalfway through the year and
start learning English.
But I remember being that childthat didn't want to speak up,
that didn't want to be calledout to read because I didn't
(04:58):
want to mess up mypronunciation, I didn't want to
say the wrong thing.
I had a few pronunciationwords that were always a
struggle.
And yeah, it took me about twoand a half years to learn to
speak English.
I was part of the ESOLprogram, which is the program
where a lot of immigrantchildren go through to learn the
(05:19):
language.
And once I was out of thatprogram, I was still very shy.
And that's part of you know, alot of the experiences that
immigrant children go through.
That, you know, you come from avery warm environment where you
know everybody and you havefriends and you know your
teachers, and then you're moved,literally moved to another
place where you know nobody.
(05:40):
So a lot of kids become shy,become very aware of their
culture and their background andstart hiding those things.
And I feel that that's a verycommon experience that people go
through.
Hollyn (05:55):
Yeah, and I just want to expand a little bit on that.
How do you ensure at Yes WeCan that these kids don't hide
that part of themselves, thatthey're proud to be Latino, to
be Hispanic, and show theirculture?
Estefanía (06:07):
We do that through our curriculum.
We have a specific class thatwe created called The Migrant
Process, and it's fullydedicated to building the kids'
confidence to be able to owntheir heritage and to be able to
be proud of who they are, wherethey come from, to also learn
about it, because a lot of kidsthat are coming into our
programs, they may not be awareof, you know, specific things
(06:32):
of even their own countries,right?
So we try to teach them like,hey, these are the highlights of
your country.
So when you meet somebody inthe United States and you're the
new kid in the classroom andsomebody's like, Hey, are you
from Honduras?
Then you can say, like, yeah,I'm from Honduras.
Did you know that my countryhas beaches, has volcanoes, has
a great tourism, like have youvisited?
Instead of being, you know,asked about negative things,
(06:56):
like, oh yeah, I know Hondurasis really dangerous.
Sure, that's a piece of thestory, but another part of the
story is that it's a beautifulcountry that you can visit.
So we try to arm them withthose tools.
Hollyn (07:07):
That's incredible.
And it's great that the kidshave these tools because a lot
of times I feel like thesecountries can be very
stigmatized where it's oh you'refrom Honduras, like you're from
Ecuador, like are you okay?
Are you safe?
Are you-- is your family safe?
And I think it's reallyimportant that they have those
tools.
So once again, incredible workthat you're doing.
Estefanía (07:24):
Thank you.
Hollyn (07:24):
And before starting, before you started Yes We Can,
you were primarily focused inthe entertainment industry and
you've worn many hats inHollywood.
You've acted, you've produced,you've written and directed.
What inspired you to pursuethis career path originally?
And what have been some of thechallenges and what did you
learn along the way?
Estefanía (07:45):
That is a big question.
So I moved out to LA.
I started acting in Miami andI outgrew Miami because a lot of
the work opportunities were inSpanish media only, mostly at
that time, 2010, 2011.
So I knew that I wanted to moveto LA and I did.
(08:07):
And once I started auditioningin the industry, I realized
very quickly that there was alot of stereotypes set out for
women and also for Latina women.
And I became slowly frustratedwith the things that I was being
put out for, especially becauseI had a -- just a different
(08:29):
goal for how I wanted to beportrayed and the opportunities
that I'm looking for.
So at that same time that I waspursuing that career, the
United States had gone throughthe first Trump administration,
and this is when the Women'sMarch became a movement.
This is when Me Too became amovement.
And I started being interestedin activism because I felt that
(08:54):
that's what-- that was the placewhere my integrity aligned and
where I felt valued.
And that's why I startedmoving away a bit from
entertainment and I participatedin the Women's March.
I helped to host two of the MeToo marches here in Los
Angeles.
Hollyn (09:14):
That's awesome.
Estefanía (09:15):
Thank you.
And through that experience, Irealized that these marches
were great to ignite action.
However, if there's nofollow-through, it just kind
of-- the momentum doesn'tcontinue.
So when I was exposed to thisissue at the border, I knew
(09:36):
immediately that I wanted to doit as a nonprofit and I wanted
it to be a formal project thatwould hopefully outlive me.
You know, this is-- I createdYes We Can to help, but I know
that hopefully other people willbe able to take it on and grow
it and for it to be here for along time.
So that was the transition, youknow.
(09:56):
I love acting and it'sdefinitely something that I want
to go back to and dedicate moretime to.
And I think that it's justeverything has happened the way
that it should have happenedbecause now I'm coming back to
the industry a different person.
I'm coming back as somebody whoknows the value of impact and
also storytelling.
And I feel that this time thatI'm going into is where the two
(10:20):
marry.
So I'm excited and we'll seewhat happens.
Hollyn (10:23):
Yeah.
When you said that the-- oryou hope the organization
outlives you, what are yourplans for that?
Estefanía (10:29):
Yeah, so I mean, I've been the co-founder, I'm the
co-founder.
And I've been the executivedirector of our nonprofit for
the past six years, and it's arole that I stumbled upon.
It's not something I set out todo.
But I yeah, I hope that someoneelse is able to come and be the
executive director and that Ican stay on as a board member
(10:51):
and also, you know, havecreative input of the direction
of the organization.
But I know that there arepeople better equipped to serve
that role.
And I hope that eventuallywe're able to be in a position
where we can have a team, afull-time team that can take it
on and continue that path thatwe started.
(11:13):
Because yeah, I definitelywant to continue to pursue
entertainment.
So it's hard to do twofull-time jobs at the same
time, yeah.
Yeah.
And as you know, a big part ofStories Without Borders is using
the power of storytelling tocultivate compassion and
understanding among everybody.
And even though people can havevery different life experiences
(11:36):
and opinions, I believe that ashumans, when we listen to each
other's stories and we actuallysit down with an open mind and
try to understand the otherside, we we grow and it lets us
connect with people on anindividual level.
And this counteracts a lot, Ithink, if not all, of the
stereotypical and negativelycharged, politically charged
(11:59):
information that people absorb,especially through social
media.
And I feel like yourorganization, Yes We Can, has
really amplified that value somuch.
And so I'm wondering how haveyou utilized your talents as a
storyteller and how have youapplied them to activism?
Thank you.
That's a really interestingquestion.
(12:21):
So I think what set us apartfrom the beginning is that I am
a person who experienced this.
I personally understand whatit's like for your life to be
uprooted and for you to go frombeing whether, yeah, like having
your own room and being in atwo-bedroom house to then
sleeping in a one-bedroom withyour five family members on
(12:43):
mattresses on the ground becausethat's all you have when you
move to a new country in the waythat we did.
So I understand that this is amoment in time.
When we started Yes We Can, Iwas very aware that I didn't
want to put out pictures of thekids in distress, um,
distressful situations.
(13:04):
I didn't want to showcase themwith, you know, in a room
overcrowded with broken shoes.
In the nonprofit industry,it's called like pity
campaigns or poor campaignswhere you see photos that expose
(13:27):
the person to generate pity,right?
And I was very aware of that.
So it's something that wedidn't want to do.
That's why, Yes We Can, we havecolorful t-shirts and we
usually only post pictures ofthings that the kids are doing
that is successful or happiness.
And it's not that we're hidingthe fact that they're going
(13:48):
through a really stressfulsituation, it's the fact that we
understand the value of what apicture can do.
And I never want the kids inour program to look back at this
time of their life and feelashamed and feel that they were
to a certain extent exploitedto move a cause.
Yeah.
So that's the part ofstorytelling, being aware of
(14:11):
what you're putting out as acreator and what you're putting
out, what the messaging is.
Because sure, something mightget you to your goal faster, but
you can do the same with adifferent, a different
perspective.
So my background inentertainment has definitely
guided the way that we have putout content with Yes We Can.
Hollyn (14:32):
That's great because I feel like a lot of times, and I
I I agree with you that thispity generating images can be
really, really detrimental notonly to the kids, but it can add
this sort of uh stigma aroundthe topic of migration because
you've created the space wherethese kids can explore and be in
school and have fun and just uhbe kids, even in the midst of
(14:54):
their this extremely stressfulsituation.
Estefanía (14:57):
Yeah, and something that's really important to us is
that that this is what I hopethat people understand that that
photo you're taking of a personor that video that you're
taking of a person is capturinga really crucial moment in their
life.
Yeah, and it's gonna existforever.
The kids are gonna grow up, thefamilies are gonna move on,
they're gonna go on to have adifferent life, but that
(15:20):
reference will always be there.
So, what do you want thatreference to be?
Do you want it to be positiveor or if it needs to communicate
a really distressful situation,can it be done in an ethical
way in which the family is onboard to do that?
Because sometimes the subjectsare taking, are being
photographed and they don't evenknow what the photo is for.
(15:41):
And it ends up becoming a viralmoment.
And then years later, which hashappened already, the people in
the photo are saying, I didn'tknow that that's what the photo
was going to be used for.
So I always think it's reallyimportant as a as having some
entertainment understanding umto talk to the families and ask
(16:01):
them, like, are you okay doingthis?
So that's why like all thechildren, and as you guys know,
when you visit us, we always askfor permission of the parents
and whoever is not able to befeatured, we usually put a
wristband or ask them to step tothe side or we put emojis on
their faces.
Um so that's something I reallyfeel strongly about.
Hollyn (16:21):
Thank you for asking.
Of course.
I mean, because it's soimportant, especially because
these people, these migrantchildren, they're humans too.
I feel like it can be so easyto forget that, especially if
we're only seeing pictures ofthem on screen, if we're only
seeing these moments of distressthat they're in.
But just I feel like again, uhthey're people at the end of the
(16:42):
day, and that they deserve tohave their wishes respected.
Estefanía (16:46):
Absolutely.
Yeah, it's really important.
And I hope that whoever goesinto impact and storytelling as
you're doing is able to keepthat in the back of their minds
that you know at the end of theday, these are human beings and
that their story is verycomplex, and this is just a
piece of it, an important pieceof it, but not all of it.
Hollyn (17:05):
But it's so easy to just narrow in on one part and say
this is their entire identity,right?
It's not that they are bad,they are storytellers, they are
coders, they are artists, theyare they are so much more than
this one moment.
Estefanía (17:20):
Absolutely.
Hollyn (17:21):
I know that yes, we can have started doing some work
related to narrative change andfocusing on narrative change.
What would you like to sayabout the importance of using
storytelling to nurture positivenarratives about communities
that are misrepresented in themedia?
And I know we sort of got intothis a little bit, but I I think
I want to give you this spaceto sort of just really talk
(17:41):
about this.
Estefanía (17:42):
Of course.
Yeah, narrative drives cultureand drives sometimes education
and decisions, even policy.
So being able to put out mediathat is representative
representative of who peoplereally are, and also passing the
mic on to those people and notproducing things that don't
(18:03):
include the people that you'retrying to uplift is is
definitely um, you know, whatwe're trying to combat.
So our Yes We Can mission hasexpanded and our narrative
change pillar now is going to bejust that a vehicle to promote
the stories in the Latinocommunity and the immigrant
community.
(18:24):
Um, we have a really excitingcampaign coming out with Latino
influencers who donated theirplatforms to be able to share
their own stories.
And it was a really amazing umexperience because these were
influencers that chose thisplatform to be able to share a
vulnerable piece of their story.
And that's the genesis of it.
You know, I want people to beable to be comfortable, to feel
(18:46):
safe, and to know that, youknow, the the yes we can uh
narrative change um communitythat we're building is a place
where they can share thosemoments that mean a lot to them
and also to drive conversation.
You know, we have some clipsthat are intended for uh people
that don't agree withimmigration.
And, you know, I I believe thatwhen you're building media and
(19:09):
when you're putting things outthere to the world, it's it
shouldn't be to just keep theconversation with the people
that agree with you because thenyou're just you're limiting
yourself.
You know, we're buildingconversation to expand beyond us
and to actually try to makechange in that way.
Hollyn (19:25):
Yeah, I feel like especially sometimes it's really
hard.
I mean, I it's really hard towant to branch out and listen to
different perspectives thanyours because you've built this
bubble.
But I think it's important tochallenge and to have
discussions that really provokeis this right?
What is wrong?
What is right?
And it's just amazing thatyou've been doing this work.
Estefanía (19:46):
Thank you.
Yeah.
And I mean, if if you talk tosomebody that you don't agree
with and you come to a commonground, then that moves us
forward more than if you're justtalking to your bestie who's
like, yes, girl, I agree.
Just your personal hype, likeyour personal hype community.
Hollyn (20:02):
And there's space for that.
Right.
But that's not going to move usforward.
You're going to stay in thesame space.
Um, and that's why it's reallyimportant to have diverse and
varying perspectives on thingsbecause that's what moves us
forward.
That's what gets us to a betterplace as a society.
For sure.
I would love to talk aboutStories Without Borders and our
collaboration because I've hadso much fun doing it.
(20:24):
And I feel like this is uhagain, your work, and Yes We
Can's work is so, so important,especially now.
And I'm so honored that I'vebeen able to amplify that and
help out in ways that I can.
So I'm just gonna give a littlebit of context for the
listeners.
So during the school year, whenI was in eighth grade, my
(20:45):
friends and I read a wonderfulbook called The Barefoot Dreams
of Petra Luna by Alda P.
Dobbs, who we actuallyinterviewed on this podcast,
which was incredible.
The premise of the book is it'sabout a girl named Petra, and
she flees her small town inMexico because of the Mexican
Revolution.
And the story is about herjourney, and it really focuses
(21:06):
on her love of learning and herjust wish to learn how to read,
how to write.
She wants to go to school.
And that was something that wasreally touching to me.
And so I started doing someresearch about this topic
because Bit that story was soheartwarming, and it just hurt
uh just that palpable love ofeducation and desire to learn
(21:28):
was something that I couldrelate to.
And so I decided to do someresearch about just how is
education approached withmigrant and refugee children.
At that time, there was a lotof stuff in the news about
immigration.
So I started doing research ontopics that the book covered,
like educational disparities.
And that's how I stumbledacross the Yes We Can
(21:50):
organization.
And it just the work that youwere doing, the bus renovations
for the mobile schools, justthat providing the safe space
and quality bilingual education.
It was just so uh so touchingto see.
And it was so uh, I want to sayrelieving to see that yes,
there's being work done.
There's people, there arepeople out there who are trying
to make better space for thesechildren.
(22:11):
So I wanted to help.
So I got a bunch of friendsthat were former and current
classmates, and uh we starteddoing a bunch of
awareness-raising activities.
We did school supply drives forYes We Can.
We did assemblies focused onthe issues.
Like we had, I think you cameback to a couple of the
assemblies, which is awesome.
I loved being able to introduceyou and and I love that you
(22:34):
were able to share your storywith a bunch of my classmates
because I think, again, it'sreally important that people
hear these stories.
And we also did a bunch offundraising.
We did bake sales and westarted up a GoFundMe.
And then this all culminated inour very first service trip
with 40 plus volunteers.
I mean, I still can't believe Isaid 40.
(22:54):
Um, and we we all went down toTijuana to spend a day in
community and service with thechildren.
Uh, we did a bunch ofeducational activities such as
poetry writing, coding, singalongs, read alouds um with the
kids, which is so much fun.
And I got to know some of thekids on a personal level, which
is uh incredible.
And that's I feel like that'ssomething you don't really see
(23:16):
or you don't really get to seewhen you're just you know
donating or when you're justback throwing a backpack into a
school supply bin.
But I just feel so blessed andhonored to be able to have this
opportunity.
It's really easy to forget thatthese kids are just kids, just
like me and just like any otherAmerican kid.
They just happen to be thrownin this awful circumstance.
And at the end of the day, wehad an awesome celebration for
(23:40):
all the kids who had spring andsummer birthdays, which was so
much fun.
And we got to sing LasMañanitas.
It was really nice to be ableto just have fun with the kids
instead of being in a learningenvironment, which is something,
again, I really appreciateabout Yes We Can because they
really balance learning and fun.
They make learning fun, butthey also uh leave room for just
fun stuff in general.
(24:00):
And you were so, so supportiveof us.
Um, even though we were just,you know, a bunch of teens
basically just like, we want todo this, we want to go to
Tijuana and spend time with thekids, which we got a lot of
support from Mario, the programdirector, and he is incredible
and he really knows his stuff,which was great.
So far, Stories Without Bordershas done three trips down to
Tijuana, and we plan on doingone every year.
(24:21):
And we're just so grateful tobe able to have this space and
have this opportunity to be ableto do this.
I remember when I first reachedout to you and we were on that
Zoom meeting, it was a lot offun to be able to talk to you,
get to know you and yourorganization.
I was really thankful that youwere really supportive of
Stories That Borders, because atthat time, Stories That Borders
(24:41):
was really just, really justbeginning to start.
And I want to know what wasyour experience during our
collaboration?
What did you think when wereached out to you?
And what have been things thatlike you learned along the way
during our collaboration?
Estefanía (24:57):
Yeah, well, thank you so much.
I mean, I'm so happy that yougot to experience and to go meet
the kids because that's you'reright, the one-on-one
interaction with the kids andseeing the situation firsthand
is on like anything.
Um, I was really supportive ofyou guys because I started um I
started Yes We Can just out ofan idea and wanting to help.
(25:22):
And I had a lot of people alongthe way also believe in me and
I didn't know what I was doing.
We literally watched a YouTubevideo to file our legal
paperwork, and we watchedYouTube videos to build the
buses.
So um, you know, we even hadMike, who was the person who
sold us the first bus, becomeour unofficial mentor because he
(25:44):
could clearly tell that wedidn't know what we were doing.
And I just think that there'salong the way that, you know,
people will support you whenthere is a genuine want to help
and to do it for the rightreasons.
And yeah, I'm so proud of youguys.
You guys are teenagers.
At your age, I was definitelynot thinking about this.
And the fact that you are sointerested in helping other
(26:07):
people and creating impact, Ithink is extraordinary.
I hope that many more teens areable to watch you guys and to
get involved.
And also, you know, aside fromfrom it forming as a group, you
know, the leadership behind it,which is mostly, you know, the
the core team that you guys haveand you being, you know, the
(26:28):
one that's like bringing themtogether, it's really exciting
to watch that as well.
Because, you know, like I said,I I hope that our foundation
continues on beyond us.
And I feel that watching youguys gives me hope that there's
a generation interested in thesetypes of topics and that you
guys will be able to take on thetorch with your own projects.
(26:50):
And also, yeah, it was reallyexciting when you guys said that
you were forming this and thatyou were starting your own
nonprofit, and that you know,you have all these ideas, and it
just reminded me a lot ofmyself that I just, you know, I
have all these ideas of things Iwant to do, and I don't really
know how to do them, but I knowthat we'll figure it out along
the way.
Um, so I really just felt thatyou guys had that energy and you
(27:13):
still do, and you're growing.
Like this is clearly um a bigmoment for you as well, creating
this podcast.
So I'm really excited to watchyou guys grow.
Uh, and yeah, it'll be awesometo, I think I met you at 13, I
guess.
Yeah, I think 13.
So it'd be really wild to justwhen you're become an adult and
continue on with your journey tosee where all these leads to.
Hollyn (27:36):
Thank you so much.
That really means so much tome.
And and I'm really gratefulthat that you uh have so much uh
just compassion that youbelieve in us because I find a
lot of times it's hard foradults to believe in uh
teenagers, especially, but youngpeople in general.
And it's just uh it's reallyjust uh affirming that that we
(27:58):
that there's someone out therethat's like you guys can do
this.
I see you, I I see myself inyou, and you guys are gonna do
amazing things.
I feel like that that's reallyempowering.
I'd love to ask a few morequestions about your day-to-day
work as an activist and as anadvocate, and as well as your
vision for the future.
Why don't we start off withlike what is the general daily
(28:20):
schedule for the students thatyou serve?
Estefanía (28:22):
Yeah, so our school programs are full-time programs,
which means that our kids arein school Monday to Friday from
9 a.m.
to 3 p.m.
We work the entire year, wedon't take summers off, and we
don't take holidays off besidesyou know official Christmas
holidays.
Um, and the reason we designedit that way is because migrant
children don't have the theprivilege to enter a regular
(28:45):
school um year.
So anytime that a kid arrivesat one of our partner shelters
within 24 to 48 hours, they'reable to be enrolled in our
program.
And we design it that way soit's accessible right away.
And um, yeah, the day-to-dayactivities, you know, as an
executive director, I handle alot of the administrative work
for the nonprofit, also uhvolunt, I do a lot, volunteer
(29:09):
management, social media, uhfundraising, uh, you know, now
with this media effort thatwe're doing, producing, and just
wearing a lot of hats becausewe are such a tiny team, right?
But um, yeah, I mean, I thinkthe impact that we're creating
is just it sometimes itsurprises me, honestly, because
(29:30):
we stretch the money that we getso far.
Like I'm literally the type ofperson that's at Walmart with a
scanner checking what the pricesare of each single item.
It's so maximize.
So uh yeah, it's been it's beenan incredible adventure for
sure.
Hollyn (29:47):
I feel like we've sort of covered this, but how does
the organization accommodateeach shelter's needs?
How do you how do you deal withthe different challenges that
every new shelter presents?
Estefanía (29:58):
Yeah, so uh usually we meet With the shelter
director, and um either theyreach out to us or we reach out
to them, and we have an initialmeeting where they share what
the challenges are.
So, for example, the firstplace that we started at, um,
Letty, the director, she hadbeen wanting to have a school
program for a long time, but shedidn't have any resources.
So, when we got there, it wasliterally perfect timing that
(30:20):
she needed that program and thatwe were there to provide it.
So, we that location we've beenat since day one, six years
ongoing.
And um other shelters, um, forexample, the newest location
that we have, um, the reasonthat we stepped in is because
unfortunately, with everythingthat's going on at this at this
time politically, a lot ofnonprofits pulled out.
(30:42):
Um, and the director reachedout to us and said, Hey, I don't
have anybody directing oureducation program.
Can you guys step in?
Um, and we were able to, youknow, um, with the support of
donors and very generous um uhdonors that wanted to support
this.
So we stepped in, and in thatshelter, we're basically doing
(31:04):
um the education uh program forthe shelter, but also overseeing
all the smaller programs thatcome in and all the volunteers
that come in.
So it's it's a bit of adifferent role, um, but it's
really all designed by thedirector's needs.
Um, you know, even starting thenonprofit, and it's something
that I like to share witheveryone that my my belief about
(31:25):
nonprofit work is that youshould always ask the people
that need help what they what itis that they need and not
create programs that you feelare gonna help them.
Um, it should be the other wayaround.
You know, have that initialconversation and ask what do you
guys need help with andaccommodate the impact that
you're able to make to servethat rather than the other way
around.
Hollyn (31:46):
Yeah, a hundred percent.
Um, and how do you hope toexpand Yes We Can in the future?
Estefanía (31:52):
Well, we're expanding right now, we're growing.
Thank you.
Congratulations.
Thank you.
Um, so yeah, we started Yes WeCan with a single focus on
education, and now we'reexpanding it to include cultural
programs, um, which they'rethey're gonna be clubs, school
clubs.
And um, the second uh way thatwe're expanding is by doing the
(32:14):
narrative change.
So I feel that going into yearsix, the first five years we
figured out what we were doing,the mission, how things work.
And now the next five years ofthe foundation, I think that
these two pillars are gonna takeus in in a different direction.
And I'm not sure where youknow, the future years, like we
(32:37):
definitely want to have aheadquarters in Los Angeles and
we want to build out a spacewhere it can function as a
volunteer center, a supply driveuh area, and also have like our
studio there.
So there's a lot of ambitiousgoals, and I hope that uh, you
know, I'll definitely be part ofthat growth.
(32:57):
Um, but I'm also really, reallyexcited to build a team that
can support us.
That's incredible.
Hollyn (33:03):
And what do you hope that people learn or take away
from your work as an activist?
Um, both those you directlyserve and just the general
public.
Estefanía (33:13):
I think the biggest advice I would give anybody
that's interested in helping,especially during these really
difficult times where we at homeare watching horrendous things
on the news and social media, isthat it's cliche, but it's
cliche for a reason that everyliterally every person can make
a difference.
And I've lived it.
(33:33):
I was just a volunteer who wentdown to help and donate a piece
of clothing, a few clothes, andthat spurred uh me founding a
nonprofit.
So if I didn't have thatexperience and that exposure,
maybe this would have neverhappened, but I don't know.
So I always share with anyoneif you feel like you want to
(33:55):
help, just just do it.
You know, you'll figure it outalong the way and you yeah,
you'll find people that alignwith you, you'll find people
that want to support you.
Hollyn (34:05):
Um but you'll never know unless you start that is so
meaningful, and I feel like itwill resonate with a lot of
people just because ofeverything and just thank you so
much.
I'd love to do some funlightning round questions just
at the very end.
I always I love doing them.
Um, so the the format for theseis quick question, quick
(34:27):
answer.
Are you ready?
Yes, I'm ready.
All right, three, two, one.
What is your love language?
Honestly, helping people.
Ooh, yeah, I think I feel likethat's definitely one of mine.
I feel like I have all five.
I know that there's like fiveofficial love languages, but I
think I every time I read them,I go, Oh, that I do that.
What do you say when you pickup or answer the phone?
Estefanía (34:50):
I usually say hello, or if it's my family, like just
like hola papi or hola papi.
Hollyn (34:58):
Yeah, yeah.
I don't know.
Kind of basic.
I mean, I do that too.
I I say hello and then whenwith my family, I'm like, hi
mom, hi dad, hi Alice.
Estefanía (35:07):
Something that surprises me is the amount of uh
FaceTime.
Like that's increased a lot.
Especially I have a niece who'snine, her name is Camila, and
she learned how to use the iPad.
So she'll randomly FaceTime me.
I'm like, Camila, I'm working.
Like, I'll call you back.
So I think that that's that'sthe the different thing now.
What movie has made you cry?
(35:28):
Oh my gosh, all of them.
But I am I've I watch Titaniclike endlessly, so I've cried a
lot to that.
Oh I bet um anything that hasto do with dogs make me cry.
Hollyn (35:43):
I think I've only cried.
There was a um Sumin Kogarashimovie, which is like a Japanese
cartoon part of Sanry, I think.
And they had a movie a coupleyears ago and it was about
different fairy tales, and Ijust remember like internally
crying, and I think I cry when Ithink about it.
And then I also cried, I think,during Inside Out too.
(36:05):
I was just like, this is soyes, yeah.
What is your dream vacationdestination?
Estefanía (36:11):
One of them, um, it's coming up, it's Thailand.
I'm obsessed with animals and Ilove animal sanctuaries, so I'm
really excited.
I'm going to this um elephanthotel where they like come to
you.
Oh my god.
I'm super, super excited aboutthat.
And then eventually, um, adream vacation would be like an
African safari.
(36:31):
I love animals.
That's if I was in animmigration, I would totally be
doing animal conservation.
That's awesome.
Yeah, yeah.
Hollyn (36:39):
Animals are so cool, especially I think the exotic
animals, especially the ones inThailand and Africa.
Movies or TV shows?
Estefanía (36:47):
I would say prior to streaming services, movies, but
now TV shows.
The content has been reallyelevated.
So I I I enjoy both.
Hollyn (36:56):
Yeah, I enjoy both too, but I think I usually gravitate
towards movies, but I would liketo start watching more TV
shows.
What is your favorite arts andcrafts project?
Estefanía (37:06):
Um, I do like to do scrapbooks.
Like I love photos and I lovememories and I love um little uh
pieces of whatever.
Like I know on on TikTok peopledo the really big scrapbooks.
I haven't started one yet, butyou know, people save like a
ticket that they use to ride abus somewhere or a a concert
(37:30):
ticket, and they make reallyelaborate things that's on my
to-do list.
Hollyn (37:36):
But yeah, what about you?
I would love I likescrapbooking.
I would like to get intoscrapbooking.
My friend made me, um, not mademe, but she gave me this little
plastic container and I starteda trinket box.
I've been slowly adding things,which I like painting a lot.
I like doodling and drawing.
I don't know if that's arts.
Yeah, that is arts and umcupcakes or donuts.
(37:58):
Donuts.
Really?
I'm gonna have to go withcupcakes.
If you could only eat one foodagain for the rest of your life,
what would it be?
Estefanía (38:06):
I know this question because I I've I've like said it
a few times in my life.
I am obsessed with pasta.
Ooh, pasta.
So anything Italian, I wouldhave it.
I if I if I could, I would haveit for every meal.
Hollyn (38:21):
I love, love pasta.
Pasta is delicious.
For me, I would have to say umthe Taiwanese bento boxes
because they have everything.
They have the rice, which is astaple.
I love rice.
You can never go wrong withrice.
Um, they have vegetables andprotein, so it's like you get a
well-balanced meal.
And it's if you have it everyday, you're and they're
beautiful too.
Estefanía (38:41):
The presentation I'm a big aesthetic person.
Hollyn (38:44):
Yeah, 100%.
Estefanía (38:45):
Yeah.
Hollyn (38:45):
What is your favorite play or musical?
Estefanía (38:48):
I recently watched um do you say watch?
I attended.
Um, I don't know.
I don't know.
Whatever.
Um Moulin Rouge on Broadway.
It was beautiful.
The production was wasincredible.
Um, the acting, the music.
Um, it's a little bit of a, Iwould say maybe more adult play.
(39:10):
Um, but it was great.
What about you?
Hollyn (39:13):
Right now, I'm really into SUFs.
It's about the suffragistmovement in the United States,
and it's such it's beautifullydone.
The music is incredible.
It's really just it gets youemotional and choked up.
There's a death um in themiddle of the play, and it just
gets you the waterworks going.
(39:34):
I'm a big cry baby, so probablycry too.
Estefanía (39:37):
Yeah.
Hollyn (39:38):
So the last question, we're gonna go a little deep.
What advice would you give toyour younger self?
Estefanía (39:43):
Oh my gosh.
Uh the advice I would give tomy younger self is to be
patient.
I feel that I'm a I'm a veryfast going person and I want
things to be happening reallyfast because in my head they've
already happened.
Um, but um, I I think learningto be patient would be a big one
(40:03):
for me.
Hollyn (40:04):
So normally before we wrap up, I ask my guests if
there's a specific organizationthat they want to highlight.
And obviously, we're heretalking about your amazing
organization, YesWeCan.
So today I wanted to ask youwhat can our listeners do to
support YesWeCan and just thework that your organization is
doing.
Estefanía (40:25):
I think anyone that's interested in supporting um can
definitely reach out to us.
Our website is yeswe can thatworld.
Uh so we have social media,which is at yeswecanwf.
Um, we're always fundraisingfunds um to be able to continue
to do the work that we're doing.
So donating is always great,but also volunteering.
Um, so yeah, they can justfollow us, get in touch with us,
(40:47):
and continue to amplify themission.
Um, thank you so much, Holland,for having me.
Um this has been so fun.
Thank you.
I am so proud of you.
And it's just really excitingto to just yeah, see the growth,
also see you um open up in thisway and host these important
(41:07):
conversations that again at yourage I was not thinking about.
So the fact that you're doingthis and inspiring other
students to get involved isreally mind-blowing to me.
So, congratulations.
Hollyn (41:19):
Thank you so much, and I really appreciate you coming
onto this podcast.
Being able to talk to you issuch an honor.
Thanks for listening to StoriesWithout Borders the podcast.
Please rate and review the showon your favorite podcast
platform.
You can learn more online atstorieswithoutborders.org, or
follow us on Instagram atstories underscore without
(41:40):
borders.
And if you like watching ourpodcast, subscribe to our
YouTube channel at storiesunderscore without borders.
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