Loretto Justice Fellowship Reflection

By Abril Sustaita, 2026-2027 Loretto Justice Fellow

Loretto Justice Fellow Abril Sustaita reflects on her first month with Alamito and in the fellowship:

When I first attended orientation, I was nervous this is my senior year as a future social worker, and I’m also connected with Loretto. At the same time, I felt incredibly grateful to be given this opportunity and comforted by the sense that I’m not alone. I come from a proud Fronteriza family, and as a first-generation college student, there’s a lot of pressure, but also immense pride. Even though it was just orientation, being there meant a lot to me. I was happy and excited because through Loretto, I knew I’d be able to explore and experience social work more deeply not just as a career, but as a calling rooted in humility, love and understanding.

This journey reminds me how important it is to put ourselves in others’ shoes, to recognize that everyone has different circumstances and backgrounds, and not to let our hearts become hardened. Now that I’ve spent a month with Loretto, I realize I didn’t need to be afraid of starting this path. Social work is all about passion, willingness and patience with others. It’s about letting your heart lead, staying conscious of your purpose and understanding that obstacles and even failures are part of the growth process. I’ve learned that failing is actually precious, because it helps us become better.

Revisiting the core principles of Adrienne Maree Brown’s “Emergent Strategy,” the one that really stands out to me is “Never a failure, always a lesson.” This resonates deeply, because things don’t always go as planned, but I try to stay calm and remember that trying is more important than worrying about the outcome. I’m proud of my hard work and my willingness to learn and adapt, even when things are challenging.

Some intentions I have for my fellowship with Alamito this year are to reconnect with my community and better understand the barriers and stereotypes faced by Segundo Barrio.* Since I grew up and went to school in this area, I want to raise my voice for the community, promote empowerment, and help build stronger bonds. My formative internship experience has been about collaborating with the community, understanding the struggles faced by those who don’t speak or understand English and providing support and warmth letting people know we are here to help and to walk alongside them in their journey.

One experience that has shaped my commitment to social justice is crossing the border from Juárez, Mexico, to El Paso, Texas. I recognize how big a sacrifice this is. It’s scary to come to another country without knowing the language or culture, waking up at 3 am to work or study. It’s a challenge, but it’s also beautiful. Our parents made this effort, and it’s important to honor that sacrifice by making it all worthwhile.

Por último, estoy orgullosa de dónde vengo y jamás me avergonzaré de mis raíces. Lo más importante es recordar siempre de dónde venimos y mantener la mirada en alto. Estoy orgullosa de ser Juarense y Fronteriza. Y esto es MUCHA LUCHA!