Striving for Social Justice
Lisbeth, a UCLA Labor Studies Major pictured on the university campus
Lisbeth Llamas is in her third year at UCLA as a Labor Studies Major. As a first-generation Mexican American, she grew up in the Moreno Valley area of Southern California.
Having parents who immigrated from Jalisco, Mexico to California in search of better opportunities for themselves and their children, Lisbeth was at the forefront of the harsh working environments endured by her parents. As she got older, she noticed that these difficult experiences started to become her own.
Through the UCLA Labor Studies major, Lisbeth is able to learn about the Labor Movement and how labor has become what it is today through a historical lens.
What truly enriches her learning experience “is the integration of class concepts with community engaged approaches into real-life applications of how it is currently impacting the lives of workers,” says Lisbeth.
One aspect she cherishes about the Labor Studies major is the strong sense of community it fosters, saying “it brings together like-minded individuals who share common values and experiences, creating an environment of unity, support, and collaboration.”
Lisbeth is currently collaborating with Building Skills Partnership (BSP) as a UCLA Fellow; an annual, 8-week, national fellowship of the UCLA Labor Center’s Dream Resource Center (DRC).
Through Dream Summer, the DRC has provided over 1,000 fellowship opportunities to immigrant youth and allies and has partnered with over 265 social justice organizations across the country. Dream Summer:
Empowers immigrant youth and allies to be the next generation of social justice leaders through leadership and professional development, movement building, and on-the-ground experience in social justice organizations.
Creates a safe and healing space for immigrant youth and allies to connect and build with one another.
Promotes an intersectional, cross-racial, and intergenerational approach to social justice that addresses the needs of immigrant communities.
Fellows are placed within social justice-based host organizations and work closely with their host organization to incorporate and strengthen the role of immigrant rights issues alongside the organization’s social justice work.
BSP Citizenship program graduate at her naturalization ceremony
As a Fellow for BSP, Lisbeth is coordinating the organization’s Union Hall and Citizenship classes, and engages in keeping participant attendance up-to-date, communicating with students, and contacting interested participants to register in the classes.
She is also scheduling and administering BSP educational tests to students for these courses.
In her work with BSP, Lisbeth enjoys connecting with BSP staff members, attending events, and SEIU-USWW member meetings; which have opened her eyes to the reality of social justice work and the grand impact and difference it makes in other people's lives.
This experience with BSP lets Lisbeth know that social justice related work is where she is meant to be. While this fellowship may be a small step towards a bigger end goal, it has solidified that this work is where she “finds passion in and wants to excel in,” says Lisbeth.
“This fellowship and the Labor Studies major continues to enlighten [me] with the tools to give back and assist others in paving their own paths through ethical labor practices.”
Armed with newfound knowledge about workers' rights, a broader skill set, and access to valuable resources, Lisbeth is determined to empower others in their journey towards a quality life.