By Mariaregina Mendoza
At 7 years old, Maureen Porras knew when she moved to Florida from Nicaragua that she would become an immigration attorney. Her goal was to help families like hers navigate the legal difficulties that plague the immigration process.
Even when it came time to apply for college, Porras said she had to wade through the complex application process on her own. She regularly visited her school’s advising offices to ensure the accuracy of her submissions because no one at home knew how to assist her.
But while she had determination, she had doubts about achieving her goal.
“I never thought I could achieve what I have today because I didn’t have a nearby role model,” said Porras, who grew up in Palmetto Bay.
Porras, along with Episcopal Anglican priest Alberto Cutie and business marketing influencer Max Occoa, shared their life stories and words of wisdom during a “Human Library” event at Miami Dade West Campus on Oct. 4.
Occoa said that before he became a marketing business influencer, he had a dream of pursuing a career as a musical artist in Venezuela, a dream he has no regrets about.
“If you give it your all, it won’t matter if things don’t turn out exactly as planned because your dedication will lead to something meaningful,” Occoa said.
“Nine out of 10 people hesitate to pursue their dreams due to fear of loss,” said Occoa, who had to overcome his fear of performing before large audiences.
“Be the one to persevere,” Occoa said. “As soon as I set foot on that stage, fear vanished from within me.”
‘Fear is your worst advisor’
Cutie, popularly known as Padre Alberto, was ordained a Catholic priest in 1995. He has an internationally recognizable name due to his work as the host of television and radio programs and the controversy that came when he left the church to get married.
“We all experience fear in some form, but fear is your worst advisor because it’s the one that tells you that you can’t,” said Cutie, who now serves as rector of St. Benedict’s, an Episcopal parish in Plantation.
Porras reiterated Cutie’s theme of being open to positive change.
After years of working as an immigration attorney and serving as the legal director of a global non-profit organization, she said she realized that she wanted to have even more impact by running for elected office.
“I told myself no amount of lawyering is going to change the policies that are being made, so I need to be at the table where immigration policies are being formed, from the inside,” said Porras, who marks her one year of service on the Doral City Council this month.
“That’s when I decided I needed to take action and work to change those policies that were adversely affecting families.”
“Events like these are so significant,” she said. “They serve as a reminder that there are people out there genuinely eager to assist you in realizing your full potential,” Porras said.
Miami Dade campus events coordinator Ana Maria Soto said the objective of the human library events is to inspire students. She said she plans to organize more similar events for students.
“These mentors are living proof that making the right choices and persevering can lead to success,” Soto said.
