Wear You Story Spotlight: Francesca

Today’s Wear Your Story spotlight features Francesca, a Crisis & Suicide Management volunteer whose connection to her Filipino heritage has shaped the way she supports and uplifts others.

Although she is a quarter Filipina, her roots run deeply through the community she grew up with — especially her involvement in Filipino Youth Activities (FYA).

“Being active in FYA created deep family bonds that made me feel connected to my heritage. They taught me community spirit, discipline, and to love one another.”

Those early lessons didn’t just stay in childhood — they evolved into her professional calling.

“The Filipino community shaped how I show up for others in my work as a crisis line specialist. The resilience, empathy, and optimism I learned from my elders guide me every day.”

Even without having visited the Philippines yet, she carries core Filipino values with her:

“Respect for elders, strong family ties, being hardworking, and being resourceful — those values are part of who I am.”

And one day, she hopes to experience the motherland for herself:

“When I think about visiting the Philippines, I’m most excited to meet my family members and see the place where my grandfather grew up.”

For Francesca, being Filipina is a living, breathing experience — expressed through how she treats others and how she builds belonging in her world.

“I express my Filipina identity by creating a sense of belonging for others, emphasizing respect, faith, and connection to family and community.”

She remembers the exact moment pride first took root:

“Growing up mixed, I felt proud of being Filipina when I heard my father talk about his own father — his history, and our family traditions.”

Francesca’s story is a reminder that Filipino identity isn’t defined by percentages or geography —

it’s carried in the heart, lived through values, and passed through generations.