#12 Gabriela Zaragoza: Queen Softball Mom, Latina Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Chicagoan Treating Patients in Immigrant Communities

Gabby is programmed in Kelley’s phone as “Queen Softball Mom.” Her partner is an assistant softball coach on their daughters team and gets sh*t done, at the softball fields and in daily life.After a season of their daughters playing together, it wasn’t until nationals at the end of the season that they really got to know each other. Another parent mentioned they were both social workers and immediately, their relationship deepened and the flood gates opened. They connected professionally as well as on a personal level discussing how addiction ran in both of their families. How often do we see the same people in our communities that become routine interactions? One open ended question can bring two people together from totally different backgrounds. We are more alike than we are different.When Chicago became a frequent news headline and neighborhoods were being brutally invaded by ICE, Kitley reached out to Gabby who works with patients in Latino communities to discuss the fear they were living in and what people with privilege can do to help.Gabby is a proud Chicago (as her instagram bio says, south south south side!) native. At 17, Gabby’s teacher told her she just ruined her life when she found out she was pregnant as a senior in high school. Her internal response? “I’m a straight A student, I’m the top of my class, watch me!” 6 weeks after she gave birth, she started her freshman year of college at the University of Illinois at Chicago with a full ride and went on to earn her masters at The Jane Addams College of Social Work. Today she’s a Licensed Clinical Social Worker treating patients in immigrant communities in Chicago.In this episode, Gabby shares her experience as a Chicago native, her journey as a teen mom, (her daughter is now 13!) who was raised by a teen mom, her resilience and perseverance, and her path to becoming a social worker. Gabby works in primarily Latino communities and sheds light on what it’s like for her clients, living in fear of ICE and how they can get the help they need.Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights: https://www.icirr.org/fsnHealth Services for pregnant teens: Rush Adolescent Family Center: https://www.rush.edu/locations/rush-adolescent-family-center This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kelleykitley.substack.com