Jessica’s Journey: From Client to Community Leader
This month, we begin with someone whose journey embodies the very essence of our mission – Jessica Ruelas, our Director of Community Development. She is not just an employee; she is someone whose life has been profoundly shaped by Friendly Center.
Jessica’s journey began nearly three decades ago when she first walked through our doors as a child. She started as a participant in our programs, later became a client when her family needed support, and eventually returned as an employee. Today, as a leader, she helps shape the very organization that once helped shape her own life.
Her story is a testament to trust, transformation, and the power of community. It is a reminder that Friendly Center is more than a non-profit organization – it is a home, a resource, and a place where lives are changed every day.
Jessica’s connection to Friendly Center began when her family moved just a few houses away. Her mother, a stay-at-home mom eager to contribute, decided to walk in and ask:
“Is there anything I can do to help?” That small question sparked a lifelong relationship. Jessica, just 10 years old, began volunteering, helping with senior programs, and calling out bingo numbers with excitement. She and her siblings joined every program available, from Folklórico, a traditional Mexican dance group, to tutoring programs and summer learning initiatives.
For Jessica, Friendly Center was not just a place she visited. It was a second home. But then, life took an unexpected turn.
Her father lost his job, and for the first time, her family found themselves in need of the very services they had once helped provide. Her mother, who had always been on the giving side, now found herself seeking support.
“She knew what was available, so she thought, ‘Well, now that we’re in a tough situation, I know where to go.’ She became a client while continuing to volunteer.”
This experience left a lasting impression on Jessica. She saw firsthand how easily circumstances could change and how important it was to have a place where families could find support without shame. She realized that giving and receiving are deeply connected, and that dignity and kindness should always be at the heart of community service.
When Jessica joined Friendly Center as an employee, she carried with her something rare and invaluable: the perspective of someone who had once been a client. She knew what it felt like to walk into the center and ask for help and understood the challenges families faced, not just from reading reports or attending meetings, but because she had lived through them herself.
This gave her a unique insight as she took on distinct roles within the organization. She constantly asked herself, What was impactful to me as a child and what did my family need back then? How can we make an even greater difference now?
Her deep understanding of the community’s needs allowed her to approach her work with both compassion and strategy. She wasn’t just implementing programs; she was shaping them with genuine experience and a vision for lasting impact.
Over the years, Jessica has witnessed Friendly Center evolve from a small organization with limited services to a dynamic, responsive community hub. One of the most important shifts has been the commitment to listening – actively asking families what they need instead of assuming.
In the past, Friendly Center provided essential services like food distribution and a senior program, but there were deeper concerns within the community. Families needed support beyond immediate relief. They were worried about job security, their children’s future, and neighborhood safety.
Jessica’s mother helped form a community group where local families could share their struggles and hopes. These conversations led to innovative programs, stronger outreach, and a deeper sense of trust between Friendly Center and the people it serves. Today, that small community group has grown into CEAC (Community Engagement & Advocacy Council), and the spirit of collaboration remains at the core of the organization. If a family needs something that Friendly Center does not currently provide, they will find a way to connect them with the right resources. This holistic, wraparound approach ensures that families are supported not just in crisis, but throughout their journey toward stability.
One of the most rewarding parts of Jessica’s career was working in job development, where she helped clients write resumes, prepare for interviews, and gain confidence in their skills. She remembers one father in particular, a single parent working part-time who was struggling to provide for his children. He was exhausted and worried about their future. Through the job development program, Jessica helped him find full-time employment with a school district. This new role provided stability, benefits, and a path toward a better future. But the most inspiring part of the story came after he secured the job. He returned to Friendly Center – not as a client, but as a volunteer.
This transformation is what Jessica sees as the true mission of Friendly Center. It is not just about offering help in difficult times, but about giving people the tools and support they need to create lasting change. Unfortunately, due to funding, the job development program had to be discontinued. Jessica still holds onto the hope that it will return one day, knowing how life-changing it was for so many.
At the heart of Friendly Center’s mission is trust.
Trust from the community, knowing that this is a safe space where they will be heard and supported. Trust from donors and partners, who believe in the mission and invest in making it possible. Trust among staff and leadership, ensuring that every decision is made with the best interest of the families they serve.
Jessica acknowledges that trust is not automatic. It must be nurtured, protected, and rebuilt where necessary. Communication is a key part of that process. As Friendly Center moves forward, she envisions an organization that continues to evolve with the needs of the community. Advancing technology, improving accessibility, and ensuring families have the resources they need to thrive will be key priorities. Change is inevitable, but the heart of Friendly Center remains the same.
For Jessica, the question “Why Friendly Center?” is deeply personal.
This organization was there for her family when they needed it most. It gave her opportunities, shaped her career, and inspired her lifelong dedication to service. For Friendly Center’s staff, volunteers, and supporters, this story is a reminder of the impact we create together. Every donation, every hour of service, and every conversation with a client contributes to something bigger than any one person.
We are building something beautiful – something rooted in trust, compassion, and the belief that when we invest in people, we change lives for generations. When we help one person rise, we don’t just change their life. We strengthen an entire community.
And that is why Friendly Center matters.