My name is Maria Flores. I come from a Salvadorian immigrant family, but I am now a citizen of the United States. My father came to the U.S. when I was baby in the hopes of making a better life for my three siblings and me. I lived with my grandmother until I was seven and then lived with an aunt when my mother left to join my father in the U.S. My father and my mother worked hard to be able to bring the rest of us to the States.

It was hard being away from my mother and father especially without my mother during important times of my life. But then my father was able to bring me to the United States when I was 13 years old.

Both my parents continue to work hard. My father goes to work at about 5:00 a.m. I get up to take my mother to the bus to go to work at 6:30 a.m. After taking my mother to the metro, I go home and get ready to go to work myself.

I have been an office assistant with TLPA for five years. When I spoke to my boss about taking time off without pay, I was fortunately to get the time so that I could cycle across America for the Brake the Cycle of Poverty Tour for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. Being a part of this tour is important to me because I have lived in poverty and have experienced the difficulties that are experienced by those in poverty here in the United States.

Coming to the United States meant having a better life with my family. And I am now riding across America to raise awareness of poverty that still exists in the States in the hopes that others will also have a better life.

Today was our 12th day of riding across the U.S. I feel fortunate to be part of a group of 24 riders cycling across the U.S. to raise awareness of poverty. I am not only learning about everyone in the group, but also about CCHD. Today I had a chance to ride with and get to know one rider named Erin. It was very good because I sometimes don’t feel comfortable speaking with others that are closer to my age since English is my second language.

As I continue on this ride, I am hoping I will find my own course in life in a way that is both a part of my family but also on my own. Although some days may be harder than others, so too is life. I know, however, that God will continue to show me the way to live my life while at the same time continue to care for my family and others I meet along my journey of life.

Maria Flores