Today, we’d like to introduce you to Emma Lara. Emma was introduced to us by the brilliant and talented Mariana Monterrubio.
Emma, can you walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I came to United Way looking for help with my resume after my daughter had told me about the service they provide for people seeking help and getting back into the workforce, after quitting my job of 15 years. I had not worked for a year. I was assigned Mariana as a coach. She was very easy to speak to and felt like I could tell her anything. We hit it off right away. She was my resource for everything I needed as my new journey was about to begin. I told everyone I met that needed help to go to her and could help with the resources they needed. If they need food, clothing, furniture, or medicine. I introduced her to my oldest son John Aaron Arrazolo. He had just completed a six-month drug and alcohol treatment he so much needed. I am that mom that will never give up on her children. Mariana helped him with lots of different resources they provided. From his resume, twic card, steel toe boots, and even signing him up for help with Christmas gifts for his children. After helping several members of my family, she then became a friend. Still checking in as we moved on to the working and taking different directions. But she still provided services to my son as he was getting ready to start a new journey of his own. He had gotten accepted to a private corrections facility in Colorado. From there he wanted to transition to the U.S. Marshall. He wanted to make a better life for him and his children. He didn’t get the chance to start on his new journey as God called him home on 05/26/2021. He had a motorcycle accident and passed away on the way to the hospital. That was the worst day of my life. Mariana provided support and resources for me as I tried to move forward without my beautiful son. For she became not only my coach, but also a friend. She was now part of our family. It’s been 2 years since that awful day that still seems like a dream to me. But I have found the strength to move forward as my son would have wanted me to. I found a job that challenged me beyond my experience. I’ve also joined the organization I donated his organs and tissue to as that was what he wanted. He lives on in me and I will continue to tell his and my story till the day I go meet him at those pearly gates. I want to thank Mariana for seeing in my son the passion he had for life and wanting to make a difference in the world.
Thank you for listening and giving me the opportunity to be heard.
Let’s talk about your work and career – what else should we know?
I worked for TM1 Properties from 2021 to 2023. I became a Investor Relations Manager with no experience. My employer seemed to think I would be great at it. As I struggled with passing of my son and learning a new job. I found it overwhelming. With this new experience came lots of new challenges. From shipping and receiving, inventory, leasing to manager of an apartment complex. This by far is the hardest and challenging job I had to do. It took me a year to get good at dealing with investors, going to conferences all over the states and setting up deals in investor portals. But I accomplished it as I dealt with the roller coaster I am on now with life and learning how to find a new way to move forward from losing a child. Now I know I can accomplish anything and still learn how to cope with the challenges life throws at you.
So, as we mentioned to our audience earlier, you were introduced to us by Mariana Monterrubio and MAMI ON A MISSION LLC and we really admire them and what they’ve built. For folks who might not be as familiar, can you tell them a bit about your experience with MAMI ON A MISSION LLC .
As I wrote in the beginning of my story about Mariana. She is not only a coach, friend, resource and part of the family. She is someone that has overcome trials and tribulations of her own. In the midst of all that hurt and pain, she is still able to conquer all of that and help women with similar stories and trauma in their own lives. What she is doing is inspiring lots of us that do not have a voice or the courage to speak about the destruction people caused in our lives as we were growing up. It’s time we all told our stories and the hurt we hide inside ourselves. I am happy to be part of such a strong woman and friend. We all need one of her in our lives
Other: You can share my story on any social media you would like.
