It could be easy to forget. 

Walking with my wife around the neighborhood to admire the festive decorations. 

Watching my kids help set up the Christmas lights. 

Opening presents with my loved ones under the Christmas tree. 

In those moments, I get a warm, fuzzy feeling inside. I feel hugged by their love. 

But I also know what it feels like to be on your own at an early age. 

To miss your mother. To miss your country of origin. To miss the childhood that was taken from you too soon. 

My older brother and I arrived in San Diego, California with only the clothes on our backs and a suitcase stuffed with books, fleeing a war that would change everything for us. 

Thanks to the kindness of family members, friends, and so many strangers along the way, we were able to make our new home in this wonderful country of opportunity. 

We worked to support ourselves while attending high school and college, and my brother and I eventually graduated as engineers from Arizona State University and we both gained our US citizenships. 

Today, I’m proud to serve as Chair of the CPLC Board. Before this role, I volunteered for twenty years at CPLC De Colores Domestic Violence Shelter and served for fifteen years as a member of the CPLC Board of Directors. 

Thanks to my experience as a former preschool teacher, I connected with the children at De Colores and helped them cope with their trauma by creating new, happy memories. 

In between papier-mâché crafts and water slides, I remembered what it felt like to be all on my own. 

Longing to see my father and mother. 

But along the way, despite the many difficulties, I always found warmth in the kindness of others. 

And that’s why I volunteer at Chicanos Por La Causa. It’s why I believe in our cause. 

This holiday season, I want to thank you for providing warmth and kindness to the families and individuals in our community. And I wish you a warm holiday surrounded by your loved ones. 

Thank you for helping people like me believe that despite the harsh cold, the sun will still come out tomorrow. 

Warm wishes, 

Alex Varela 
Board Chair 
Chicanos Por La Causa