19 Jan ‘If I Can Do It, You Can Too’: Richmond’s Elena Velazquez Honored With Youth Humanitarian Award

Elena Velazquez, a 17-year-old environmental justice advocate from Richmond, is receiving a Youth Humanitarian Award from the county. (Photo by Yenny Garcia)

Interview, Malcolm Marshall

Editor’s note: Elena Velazquez is a 17-year-old environmental justice advocate and community leader from Richmond whose work spans food justice, youth leadership, and civic engagement. She has volunteered with organizations including Urban Tilth, Bay Area Girls Club, The Latina Center, and the Richmond Youth Council, and currently serves as president of her school’s National Honor Society. This interview was conducted ahead of her receiving the Youth Humanitarian Award at the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors meeting on Jan. 20. The interview has been edited lightly for clarity.

Contra Costa Pulse: You’re only 17 years old. What does receiving the Youth Humanitarian Award mean to you at this point in your life?

Elena Velazquez: It means everything. Truthfully, it didn’t really hit me until I went to Martinez to film a short video to be shown at the awards ceremony. That was when I actually realized this is going to be one of my moments, where I get to give a speech and say, if I can do it, you can too.

I won’t lie, it’s a lot sometimes, and I’m surprised I don’t find myself feeling overwhelmed. But I think after so many years of trying different leadership positions, this kind of recognition reassures me that I’m doing something right. The environmental and civic work I do will definitely continue with [me] as I head off to college this fall.

Contra Costa Pulse: Can you tell us about the work or actions that led to this recognition? What inspired you to get involved?

Elena Velazquez: The inspiration definitely ties back to when I first started volunteering with The Latina Center. [I was] 7 years old, going along with my mom to their events. She was the one who helped make me aware of people who needed help without it being too much for me to handle.

Slowly but surely, as I grew up, she would teach me about the issues in our community. [It went] from her telling me people were hungry and volunteering during the holiday season, to being 15 and participating in a benefit concert advocating against domestic violence. Realizing the power I had to make a difference, even at such a young age, inspires me to continue working and further my involvement.

Contra Costa Pulse: Who or what has shaped your sense of responsibility to your community?

Elena Velazquez: All the people who ask about me or remember me from when I was a little girl out volunteering with my mom. These are people who believe in me, care about my well-being, and are interested in whether I’m furthering my studies and still volunteering.

[They] have shaped my mindset and made me feel that I do have a responsibility to the community. They see my heart and want to see me out in the world, so let me show them that I want to be here.

Contra Costa Pulse: What challenges have you faced while doing this work, especially as a young person?

Elena Velazquez: As a young person, surprisingly, these experiences were never something I thought I would go through. But people are intimidated, adults specifically. There have been a couple of incidents with people who were very bitter toward me, sometimes just mean while working together, or not open to any of my ideas, making them seem insignificant.

It’s sad because they were people I had first looked up to in a new workplace or volunteer experience. I had some help from my support system around me to realize they way they had treated me was never about me, but how they viewed themselves.  And how they thought it would be okay to treat a young person that way because [they assumed we wouldn’t] stand up to the adult in power.

Contra Costa Pulse: How do you balance school, personal life, and community involvement?

Elena Velazquez: That’s a hard question, truthfully. It took me years to finally feel like I had the hang of it. Everything is important, and sometimes I would find myself feeling like I was neglecting one aspect of my life over another.

[I’d stress] about wanting perfect grades but not wanting to drop an activity, or cancel plans with my friends, while also wanting a rest day for myself to do self care. Then there’d be a meeting, so I’d have to miss [something else]. It’s a lot. But it’s so worth it.

That’s why I started really using my email, calendars, and Post-it notes all over my laptop, along with support from friends in similar groups. They help me ask the right questions before taking on a new task or project, which makes my life much easier. And finally, learning how to say no. Being able to say I don’t have the time, or I don’t have the energy, has been huge.

Putting my mental health, relationships, and school first has helped everything else fall into place and find a rhythm. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Contra Costa Pulse: What advice would you give other young people who want to make a difference but don’t know how or where to start?

Elena Velazquez: We have social media. I cannot stress it enough, use it. Find local causes by searching your city name along with the word volunteer.

If you care about a cause and are able to support it in any way, just try. I think young people are often afraid to go somewhere where they don’t know anyone. Take a friend, or let the community welcome and embrace you as you start your service journey.

If you have a free afternoon, that’s a new [opportunity] to do good and feel good. Even if you don’t enjoy a certain program or event, you still gain experience. I encourage [young people] to always find one reason to do it again.