We had the good fortune of connecting with Jayra Camarena and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jayra, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
My upbringing has everything to do who I am today. I was raised by a single immigrant mother who cleaned houses and had a chronic illness. I matured quickly because at a young age I had to help my mother clean houses and watch over my younger sister. My mother has been an example of working hard and being resilient.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The journey has not been easy, I started the non-profit, La Luz, with little administration knowledge and slowly learned how to lead the organization as the Executive Director. I like to say that the organization started with tears and prayers! I learned to be kind to myself throughout this journey. I also learned how to see myself as Jesus sees me, Worthy!

I am proud to be the founder of La Luz Org. This non-profit is the only Oklahoma Attorney General certified culturally specific, faith based non-profit agency serving domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking survivors in the state of Oklahoma and also being able to be the first Latina Advocate to provide culturally specific expert witness services in the state of Oklahoma.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I currently Live in Oklahoma, my family and I love visiting Medicine park near Lawton, Oklahoma. I would take them to eat at Riverside park cafe and walk along the river.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to thank my husband, my daughters, my sister Ali and my Mother for always being available to help when I need them, praying over me and motivating me and most importantly Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior, without him nothing would be possible.

Website: www.laluzokc.org

Instagram: laluzorg_okc

Facebook: LaLuzOrgOKC

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