Coalition for Life Team

Joel says that he has always wished to participate in the pro-life movement and bring transformative change to our country for both the preborn stripped from their mother’s arms and mothers who find themselves in these difficult situations. “Since abortion is, of course, the preeminent issue of our time,” Joel explains, “I chose to work for the Southwest Coalition for Life because, indeed, it would be foolish to recognize that abortion directly takes the life of an innocent person and yet willfully choose to do nothing about it.” In his spare time, Joel enjoys reading, working out, listening to music, and deepening his understanding of his Catholic faith. Because of his interest in metaphysics, Joel plans to earn a doctorate in philosophy and then raise a large Catholic family. “I want to help end the horror that is the laceration of our children, and also maybe learn how to swim,” Joel adds.

Valentina was homeschooled from 1st grade through high school, and graduated in the Fall of 2020. She is now studying at DACC and hopes to transfer to NMSU to become a nurse or a medical assistant. Valentina grew up in the pro-life movement when at the age of 11 years old, the abortion facility in Las Cruces opened, and from that point she watched the growth of the Southwest Coalition for Life. When she heard about our sidewalk internship, she instantly knew she wanted to join. Around the same time she was inspired by one of Stephanie Gray’s talks who said, “If abortion workers can work full-time for abortion, can’t we do the same to stop abortion when we know it’s wrong?” That stuck home with Valentina, and settled her choice of career. Her greatest wish is to become a Saint in heaven, and she attends the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in downtown El Paso where she feels privileged to sing in the choir. In her free time, Valentine enjoys being with her friends and family, sketching, reading, photography, bike riding, traveling, and art journal.

Mariaelisa graduated high school in 2021 with an associate degree, and she is currently attending her 5th semester of the nursing program at UTEP. She has always enjoyed an active life especially regarding religion. She was blessed to be surrounded by many people who were very active in their church, like her cousin Jessica S. and her daughter Lulu. They not only helped Mariaelisa deepen her faith but they also introduced her to the pro-life movement. She felt called to join our team during 2020 and very quickly grew more and more passionate about protecting life.

She enjoys many things such as learning (especially about medicine), hiking with friends or really anything with friends, ju-jitsu, swimming, reading, baking, and having fun experiences. When deciding where she wanted to work, Mariaelisa quotes, ” I prayed for a team who would not only be amazing people but would help my faith grow, and God sure delivered!”

Janet is currently a nursing student, who would like to become a neonatal nurse someday. She is the president of the Students for Life in New Mexico State University, and attends St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church. Janet felt called to be part of the coalition team because, she sees how abortion takes not only the lives of the most innocent in society, but it also destroys their mothers. She hates the thought of possibly having classmates and freinds that could be suffering in silence, and do nothing about it. Which is why she decided to join our Her Care Connection intern program.

Some of her hobbies are traveling, outdoor activities (especially fishing), playing guitar, and spending time with her nephews and family.