When Fatima Hernandez-Reyes was in high school, she used to visit the Mexican Consulate in San Diego with her parents and see an endless parade of people begging for assistance after being exploited by their bosses at work.
The now 19-year-old first-generation Mexican American said it was these interactions that informed her decision to pursue a career as a labor law attorney.
“I can’t believe there are so many people who are constantly oppressed and harassed under threat of deportation,” Fatima said. “So many people live in fear, and it prevents them from getting justice and that needs to be addressed.”
Fatima is one of 33 residents of National CORE affordable housing communities awarded a 2026 Building Bright Futures scholarship by the Hope through Housing Foundation. Her $2,000 scholarship will go toward funding her education as a political science major.
Fatima, whose family lives at Sierra Vista in San Marcos, is finishing her sophomore year in the political science program at UC Davis – but money has always been an issue. She is considering transferring to a school closer to home, such as UCLA or UC San Diego.
The eldest of three children, Fatima worked since she was 16 to ease the financial burden that her parents faced following her mother’s battle with COVID-19, which plunged the family into medical debt.
She worked as a digital marketing assistant for the Boys & Girls Club, a camp counselor in Escondido, a Spanish language translator and even assisted her father with plumbing installations.
Fatima’s sights have always been on helping others.
She founded a first-generation student club at Mission Hills High School, helping peers from similar backgrounds navigate the complex college application process.
Currently, she mentors students with developmental disabilities through the UC Davis Redwood SEED Scholars program and provides Spanish translation services for a law firm.
Fatima said being a BBF scholarship recipient means stability – being able to not worry about rent or her bank account so that she can continue focusing on accomplishing her educational aspirations.
“It means so much to me. I’ve always had to work two or three jobs because I know my family is under financial constraints,” Fatima said. “Having this kind of financial support helps me focus on what I need to focus on – it helps remove extra stress.”
Fatima said she is resolute in her goal of becoming an attorney who focuses on labor law – because she hopes to fight for vulnerable individuals will also inspire others to create change.
“My family is a driving factor in my goal to get a college degree,” Fatima said. “My sisters look up to me and my parents are always telling me ‘you need to show them what is possible’ to break through the limitations that others put on our people.”