November Newsletter

South Bay Resident Spotlight
Carmen Chavez - from New York to Chula Vista!
by Marci Bair

I recently caught up with Carmen Chavez at our last South Bay Alliance mixer and wanted to share her story with our members.

When I asked Carmen what brought her to the west coast from New York here is what she told me.

If you would have known me 10 year’s ago and asked me where do you see yourself in five years? I would have responded with a resounding—“New York, of course”! San Diego was not part of my plan and I never imagined living in San Diego. September 11, 2001, would define a national emotional and psychological mindset that life in the United States would never be same. In fact, this tragic event left an indelible imprint on the rest of the world as we knew it then. Perhaps, the shift began to take shape the moment hundred’s of catatonic New Yorker’s walked across the Manhattan Bridge on that hot muggy day, staring at a flaming gap-toothed skyline that became a surreal vision of vulnerability and loss.

Two years later, my life journey took a dramatic turn. My mother became ill in 2003, and I began commuting from New York to San Diego for six months. My mother’s illness progressively worsened in September 2003. At that point, it was clear that I was no longer in control, and I had to seriously assess what was important in life. I made a decision to officially relocate to San Diego.

I thrived and loved living in the multicultural go-get environment that New York had to offer. Professionally, I was at the top of my game as the Director of Policy and Program Development for a national organization. Prior to that, I was the Director of HIV/AIDS Services in Washington Heights and Harlem for four years. My expertise was developing and designing immigrant and adolescent health promotion and disease prevention programs. I assessed my transition to San Diego it was emotionally and physically draining. My mother’s physical and mental well-being proved to be an extreme challenge. Becoming a caregiver without my support networks forced me to seek balance, do some serious soul searching, and prioritize my own needs. In other words, SLOW DOWN! I am grateful that I have learned to stop and smell the roses. Somehow, I managed to survive the emotional storm and I am happy to report that my mother is healthy and thriving.

I am slowly reclaiming my life again. Chula Vista has become my haven, a place where I developed solid friendships, strengthened family ties, and discovered the dichotomy of a border town. It is quite exciting to know that the South Bay Alliance exists. It is a great opportunity to build bridges, raise consciousness, and become an agent of change for the South Bay LGBT community and their allies. I look forward to the growth and expanded presence in the South Bay.

We are so proud to have resident’s like Carmen Chavez here in the South Bay. If you know of someone that should be spotlighted or a Business in the South Bay that we should interview please contact Marci Bair, Business Committee Chairperson of the South Bay Alliance.