Catrina Cano

What do you like most about your job?

I like being able to act as a bridge to resources and opportunities, or a compass when someone feels lost or unsure of their direction. It’s an honor to help young people feel seen, supported, and capable of choosing their next step.

Where did you work before YJC?

Metropolitan Family Services.

What was your first job?

My first job was through After School Matters, where I contributed to the J-Def Peace Project’s mosaic mural on the side of the YJC building. If you’ve ever seen the iconic blue face of J-Def—yes, I did that!

What did you learn from your first job?

How complex the world can be! I remember being struck by how many of us were children, contributing to something beautiful, yet also grappling with the reality that our participation came from real financial or personal need. It sparked early conversations among us about fairness, ethics, and community building.

Has your career path gone the way you expected?

In some ways. So much of my early life was shaped by survival, once I realized that I have a future worth planning for, I committed to building it with purpose.

Fun fact:

I’ve gone skydiving and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.