Reina Garcia

“Growing up in Little Village, or La Villita, as it’s known to locals, I was immersed in a vibrant immigrant community on the southwest side of Chicago. La Villita is full of entrepreneurial spirit, with family-owned businesses. It’s a neighborhood where culture is alive! However, despite its vibrancy, La Villita has its challenges. Gang violence and limited opportunities make it a tough place to grow up.

My family story is rooted here. I’m the daughter of Mexican immigrants and the oldest of three sisters. As the eldest, I was the trailblazer for my parents. When it was time for high school, my parents sought out the best opportunities, which led me to graduate in 2007 from Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Pilsen, Chicago, as part of the 10th graduating class. Since then, my two younger sisters and five cousins have also graduated from Cristo Rey Jesuit, and my cousin’s daughter started this fall. Cristo Rey has been transformative not only for me, but my family and community.

Fast-forward to college. After graduating from high school, I attended one of the Network’s University partner schools–Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. At the time, the partnership was still in its early stages, yet thriving, largely due to Dr. Daniel Porterfield, who was Georgetown’s Vice President for Strategic Development.

Georgetown is located in one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the country, and many of its students come from affluent backgrounds. Transitioning from La Villita to Georgetown was a culture shock for me. I struggled with imposter syndrome and homesickness. But thanks to Dr. Porterfield and opportunities like the Georgetown Scholarship Program and the Center for Multicultural Equity and Access, I felt welcomed, celebrated, and safe—a vital sentiment for a first generation college student like myself and many Cristo Rey graduates.