Today we’d like to introduce you to Lucresia Montez
Hi Lucresia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Growing up was hard I have 5 siblings and myself was 6 in a single parent home. Money was tight and stressors were beyond measurable, every month was a struggle. My parents were divorced when I was about 5 and I resided mainly with my father along with 3 other siblings. Although my father tried his best to make ends meet as a mechanic his drinking often cause him to be absent and therefore, my siblings and I grew up faster than expected. I began working at 13 and had my own apartment at 16, while my friends discussed football games, and had sleep overs, I was working 2 jobs in high school to make ends meet while staying on top of my studies to graduate with my peers. Life was not so kind, and I learned a lot of valuable lessons while trying to make a living. See I didn’t have dinner cooked for me when I got home from high school or someone to help check my homework, I was working tirelessly and cooking and cleaning for myself. I worked hard and studied harder as I knew it was my only way to escape. I didn’t want to be the teen mom, the drug user, or the drug dealer as all these were everyday influences. I wanted more and better and graduated high school in 1998 and decided I would be the first in my family to proceed a higher education, but it was clear there was no money for college. Hence, as you can see, I was raising myself as it was and knew if I wanted to get ahead, I needed to work twice as hard. I entered the University of Houston Downtown and during my sophomore year of undergraduate studies I became pregnant with my first daughter. My world came tumbling down at this point I had no idea what to do, but I did know I was not quitting just yet. I had continued my schooling through my pregnancy and got with the father of my daughter. It was in undergrad that I received amazing support through my community, professors, and peers that helped me realize I could graduate college, work, and be a good mom that hopefully my daughter can look up to one day. Hell, if you thought about it, I had practically raised myself and so therefore, I pushed myself worked a full-time job pregnant, attended classes at night, and had my baby the following year. There were times I took my daughter up to the university with me to study in the computer lab, library, or in the cafeteria, but I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2004 and was accepted into the Graduate School of Social Work the following Fall. There were many times I wanted to throw in the towel, and just give up but during those times when my faith was low, I always ran into a colleague or professor that would lift me up and remind me how good this world can be and how far I have come. I continued graduate school and became pregnant with twins my last year of grad school, one adventure after another, just when I thought I had things figured out and was stable. Well, as you know by now, I didn’t let that stop me I went even when I was placed on bed rest due to contracting a month prior to graduation. I had to order an extra-large gown but was able to walk May 2006 across stage and receive my Masters in Social Work, and I gave birth to my twins August of 2006. Throughout my life there was always someone who pushed me further than I could push myself, someone that helped me gain access to resources, that lifted me in a way only they could, like guiding angels along the way of my darkest times, and that stayed with me. I wanted to be that person to lift up someone else, I wanted to be that person to pass on resources that were needed. I wanted to be the light in someone’s else’s darkest times and remind them that there is so much more and to keep striving towards that goal or stability. I started my career in social work to help those in need. I became the recipient of the 2023 FBI – Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Community Leadership Award, representing Houston and the Gulf Coast Area for my work with survivors of Human Trafficking. As a graduate of the 2023 FBI Citizens Academy, I am currently a committed Social Worker/ Human Trafficking Coordinator at San José Clinic, where I deliver compassionate and essential healthcare services to individuals facing barriers to quality medical care access. With nearly two decades of experience in healthcare management, therapeutic intervention, recruitment, program management, and community outreach, I strive to bring improvement and awareness to the Houston region and its underserved community. At San José Clinic, I play a pivotal role in ensuring that uninsured survivors of human trafficking have access to vital medical, dental, mental health, and vision services. The work in itself is a hard battle daily since this program was initiated in late 2021, I have been referred 540 survivors of Human Trafficking in need of medical services. I see them in their darkest times and hear stories you don’t see in movies. These survivors are the bravest group of people I have ever met, and as they decide to come “out the life, or shall I say often “escape the life”, they are often judged and shunned. So being that someone to give them strength, courage, medical attention, resources, and guidance makes it all worthwhile. So many ask, how do you hear such things daily and stay sane enough to continue doing the work that you do? The most important thing one can do when working in social services especially within the realm I am in is to have a positive outlet. I attend Bushi Ban Karate everyday Monday through Thursday where I can work on katas, spar, kickboxing, mixed martial arts, and Jujitsu. It helps me rejuvenate myself, thoughts, and keeps me active and healthy. My colleagues in the martial arts school are aware of what I do for a living and help support me during the hard days, whether that means taking on an extra round of sparring, or increased cardio, I do not leave the dojo with anger, resentment, remorse, or any type of work related feelings, it all stays on the mat so I can enjoy my family at home. My husband has been with me 27 years, my daughters are 23, 18, 18, all have received associate degrees from San Jacinto College Central Campus, and my twins are currently attending University of Texas Austin, and Texas A&M College Station.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
As I stated previously, there were several challenges when growing up and during college. From living on my own at 16 to having a child my sophomore year of college and twins while completing graduate school.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My work as a social worker is my passion, they say if you do what you love you will never work a day in your life, and although what I do can be very daunting at times, I will not change it for the world. To have the ability to help someone in need, to be the voice of the silenced, to advocate for the oppressed, although challenging and often even sad, I feel that the small successes are the most important.
As a social worker I do not ever look for attention in what I have done or who I have helped, because I am a firm believer that all the good you put out comes back tenfold. With that being said, I became the recipient of the 2023 FBI – Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Community Leadership Award for 2022, representing Houston and the Gulf Coast Area for my work with survivors of Human Trafficking. Then became nominated to the FBI Citizen Academy Class of 2023 and graduated in October of 2023. I am currently a committed Social Worker/ Human Trafficking Coordinator at San José Clinic, where I deliver compassionate and essential healthcare services to individuals facing barriers to quality medical care access. With nearly two decades of experience in healthcare management, therapeutic intervention, recruitment, program management, and community outreach, I strive to bring improvement and awareness to the Houston region and its underserved community. At San José Clinic, I play a pivotal role in ensuring that uninsured survivors of human trafficking have access to vital medical, dental, mental health, and vision services.
How do you define success?
“The greatness of a community can only be measured by the compassion of its members. Too often we choose to make a living by what we receive when in reality we can only make a life by what we give.” – Lucresia Montez
Suffering and sacrifices are my success because without failure, struggles, and obstacles we have no success.
