Delia Cruz Nochebuena: A Force for Good

 


Delia Cruz Nochebuena graduated from University of Rochester in 2017 with a B.A. in Spanish.  This year she is serving as Rochester Youth Year Fellow/AmeriCorps VISTA at the Boys & Girls Club of Geneva. At the Boys & Girls Club, Delia is working on developing and recruiting for their junior staff program which allows older, local students to learn career skills and have work experience at the Boys & Girls Club. 

What attracted you to Rochester Youth Year?
Although I remained fairly involved within the Rochester community during my time at the University of Rochester, I did not feel like my involvement was rooted in building strong relationships with the Rochester community as well as helpful in the long term goals I saw for the community. Rochester Youth Year proved to be a program that allows for committed and genuine relationships with the community and focuses on creating long term investments that can grow the impact of volunteers.

How would you describe yourself?
I am a very passionate and kind person. I am unable to do anything that I do not have at least some small bit of concern in doing. I believe I am a fast learner and a “people” person. I enjoy laughing and making others laugh as well as being able to encourage and uplift everyone around me. I am beautiful, powerful, and intelligent but more importantly I am a force to be reckoned with. When I care about something or someone I make sure that this is understood and will go out of my way to show this through my actions.

Why do you find meaning in service?
I find meaning in service because my life has personally been impacted and change by other people who decided to help me achieve my dreams. Throughout my life there have been people kind enough to care about me without expecting anything in return and have encouraged me in my insecurities and uplifted me in my shortcomings. My family has also been a role model in teaching me what means to be humble, kind, and giving. Growing up I witnessed my family help many other families and individuals with the much or little we had and never hesitated or limited themselves when doing so.  In my family we say “O todos coludos, o todos rabones” which translates from Spanish to English as “Or we all have more, or we all have less.”

How does RYY fit into your professional goals?
RYY offers many opportunities for professional hands on training which is extremely valuable when applying for jobs within the non-profit world. In the future I would like to work for an organization that caters to community needs and RYY has already put me in a path where I am sure I will be able to have the necessary credentials and personal experience to realize my dream of serving others and be able to financially support myself.

What’s one fact that some people don’t know about you?
I truly enjoy listening to Latin American folkloric music. The messages of these songs are typically social political comments as well as appreciation of culture and history. I recommend the song Si Se Calla el Cantor by Horacio Guarany which translates to “If Singer Becomes Silent.” In this song Guarany speaks of the political influence music has as well as how music makes life even more beautiful.

If you could be any animal, what would you be?
If I could be an animal I would be a jaguar because it is a very significant and powerful animal within Mexican culture.

Say you have family or friends who want to come visit and explore Rochester. What are your top 10 places to take a visitor?

  1. The University of Rochester: It’s an open campus and its absolutely beautiful! There are always events that are open to the public and the River Campus Library is very beautiful.
  2. Magnolia Cafe: Delicious, delicious, delicious! Plus former President Obama ate here and they have an entree named after him!
  3. High Falls: It’s stunning. Plus if you walk around the are you will find some rich history in one of the historic districts and learn about green energy in Rochester!
  4. Genesee Brewhouse: A Rochester historic landmark! you can have a bite to eat and drink a cold one!
  5. Mendon Ponds: Please go here when its warm. Going during winter will still be fun and quite the view but not as comfortable and scenic as during spring or summer. It’s so nice to be here with endless tall green trees.
  6. Mount Hope Cemetery: I never expected to casually walk in the cemetery but its normal in Rochester. You can also pay your respects to Frederick Douglass here.
  7. Rochester Public Market: Obviously the produce and other local products here are great but the Public Market also has many cool food stands.
  8. Eastman Theater: A reminder of why Rochester was Smug Town USA! Plus there are always free concerts if you are on the lookout!
  9. Genesee Riverway Trail: a great trail to walk or bike and see different parts of Rochester.
  10. Henrietta Hots: If you visit Rochester its only right that you eat a garbage plate and Henrietta Hots makes one of my preferred plates.
Thank you, Delia! We appreciate you!

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