SHE’S HEALING HER PAST BY BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Maira Carrier. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

While Maira Carrier’s childhood wasn’t ideal, the people who helped her get through that challenging period serve as the inspiration for her work today.

“It was a tough childhood. It wasn’t a normal childhood where you played and thrived. It was more of a survival,” says Maira, recalling her childhood in Los Fresnos, Texas, just five minutes from the Mexican border. “School was my safe space.”

Amid her struggles, it was the teachers, community members and nonprofit leaders who took an interest in Maira that saved her from a potential downfall. Even as a child, Maira swore that she would grow up and do something to create a safe space for children to feel cared for during their tough times.

After leaving the military in 2019, Maira worked to expand her education, earning her college degree. Seeking to do more in her community, she established Maya’s Love, an organization that works to empower communities by bridging gaps with meaningful support and advocacy through targeted programs. While the organization was originally established to support children who had been through emotional trauma, Maira is looking to expand their reach in the long term. She’s hoping to help additional communities, so more children and their family members can access the assistance they need.

Currently, they’re creating more programs based on mental health and community service. They just expanded Roots to Resilience, a 17-week online program designed to inspire and equip middle and high school students with the skills they need to thrive by providing mindfulness training, self-care practices and volunteer practices. Each student creates a personalized community service project that resonates with their life experience and is then connected with a community leader who can help them put it into action. Another important program kicks off in the San Antonio region in June for middle school students who are dealing with the onslaught of gun violence and its effects on the community.

“In everything she does, she sprinkles a little bit of what helped her when she was younger,” says Noemi Bautista, a childhood friend of Maira’s who now serves as the president of Maya’s Love. “Everything she does has a purpose behind it. She’s an amazing human being.”

Maira’s journey has been one of immense growth. From serving as her mother’s translator as a child to exploring the idea of getting her doctorate in political science in the present day, Maira’s story is one of reaching new heights that once seemed impossible to grasp. Above all, she wants people to know that they can make a difference in their community at any age. Maya’s Love volunteers range in age from small children to seniors, including a dedicated 99-year-old volunteer.

“I always tell our students, if you’ve ever felt that desperation of not knowing where your meals are coming from, there’s no one better to be an advocate for those people who are experiencing that right now,” Maira notes.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Maira? Find local volunteer opportunities.