Today we’d like to introduce you to Crystal Hernandez.
Hi Crystal, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My story begins with my mother, a strong single woman who did everything she could to give me a better life. Growing up, I watched her work long hours to keep us afloat while still making sure I felt loved and supported. She taught me resilience, compassion, and the importance of never giving up, but she also helped me realize that people should not have to sacrifice their dreams just to survive.
I first created Amor de Mi Vida as a high school project where we were asked to design our own nonprofit. What started as a simple assignment quickly became something much deeper for me. During my teen years, I thought about making it a reality, but I never acted on it until now. The idea stayed in my heart and became part of who I am.
As I began studying social work, my understanding of injustice became clearer. The rise of discrimination against Hispanics and immigrants, especially in today’s political climate, made me uncomfortable in ways I could no longer ignore. That discomfort became motivation. I decided it was time to act on the values I believed in.
I started face painting at community events as a way to connect with people and share the message behind Amor de Mi Vida. It became more than art. It became a way to spread joy and start conversations about love, identity, and empowerment. My best friend Luz played a big role in encouraging me to step forward. She invited me to be part of her fundraising event, Rhythm in Our Roots, hosted by The Music Journey. The event supported families affected by ICE, and the funds were donated to FIEL Houston.
Although Amor de Mi Vida is still a developing nonprofit, I find joy in the process of starting it and putting my intentions into something meaningful. Every small step reminds me that purpose does not happen overnight. It grows through passion, patience, and connection.
Being part of this journey reminded me why I created Amor de Mi Vida in the first place. I want to help individuals find their purpose in life, discover what they love, and become successful doing it instead of feeling limited to labor work or survival. Through this nonprofit, I hope to create programs that empower people to rise above their fears, embrace their strengths, and know they deserve more than just getting by.
Amor de Mi Vida is more than a name. It represents love, courage, and the belief that change begins when we find the confidence to act on what we care about most.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road. I’ve gone through a lot, including trauma, depression, and moments where I lost sight of my own worth. I also struggled financially, which made it even harder to focus on my goals and dreams. For a long time, I settled for less because I didn’t believe I deserved better. It took years of healing and self-reflection to understand that life is too short to not believe in yourself, to not chase what makes you happy, and to not love the life you’re building.
There were times when it felt easier to give up, but every struggle became a lesson. Those experiences are what shaped my strength and inspired me to create Amor de Mi Vida. I wanted to turn my pain into purpose and help others find their light, even when life feels dark.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m currently a Social Work student at the University of Houston–Downtown. My passion lies in working at the mezzo level, developing programs, coordinating services, and building stronger connections between individuals and the systems that serve them. Over time, I hope to gain the courage and experience to step into macro-level work, where I can advocate for broader social change and help shape policies that impact communities on a larger scale.
What sets me apart is the blend of creativity and compassion I bring to everything I do. I’ve always had a creative background, and I’ve found that creativity allows me to connect with people in meaningful ways, whether it’s through community engagement, outreach events, or simply listening to someone’s story. I genuinely care about people and believe that small acts of kindness and understanding can inspire big change.
I am very proud that I stood tall and created this path for myself that wasn’t shown to me. What I’m most proud of is being able to merge my creativity with my purpose. Whether it’s starting my nonprofit “Amor de Mi Vida” to empower individuals to follow their dreams or finding new ways to make social work feel human and hopeful, I’ve learned that meaningful work begins with empathy and the courage to act on it.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I’ve always been the type of person who says, “I can’t,” or “it’s not the right time,” or “I’m not ready.” It’s funny because, deep down, I’ve always been very ambitious. I used to overthink everything, waiting for the perfect moment that never really came. What I’ve learned is that sometimes all it takes is one meaningful conversation to shift everything. Once I start talking about an idea, I can’t help but want to find a plan, a solution, or some kind of action to just start.
I don’t think of myself as a big risk-taker, but when I look back, many of the most important things I’ve done came from moments of impulse mixed with passion. To me, taking risks isn’t about being fearless, it’s about believing that something good can come from trying.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amordemivida.htx
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AL2Hax61x/
Image Credits
The Music journal ( Luz and Leydi )
https://www.instagram.com/themusicjournl?igsh=dWptb21ycGMzdmtn
https://www.instagram.com/itsluzc?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
https://www.instagram.com/leydilistens?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
