In her early life, Angelina Torres experienced hunger, homelessness and domestic violence. With a drug-addicted single mother, at the age of six, Angelina began raising her three siblings. After receiving her GED and working for several years, at age 28 she decided to attend community college, earning two associates degrees in social sciences. Now as a single mother, Angelina is working toward her bachelor’s degree in social work at Humboldt State University.

Having lost her sister to suicide, she has dedicated herself to raise awareness of suicide prevention. She started and chaired a walk for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to bring awareness to Humboldt County, and also volunteers for Take Back the Night, a nonprofit seeking to end sexual assault and domestic violence.

Angelina plans to attend graduate school to become a licensed clinical social worker, continue her studies to earn a law degree and work for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), helping underserved populations.