By Aidan Vann – Volunteer Engagement Ambassador
Samantha Cayetano’s journey into community service began during her first year of high school, when a final project required her to volunteer. She chose a neighborhood food distribution site, a decision that opened her eyes to both the needs of her community and her own desire to help. As a first-generation Mexican American, raised in a household where pride often discouraged seeking assistance, Samantha grew determined to reshape that mindset for herself. She came to understand that everyone needs support at some point, and she wanted to be the kind of person who offered it.
Growing up in South Oxnard near Saviers Road instilled in her a deep sense of identity and responsibility. Her neighborhood was full of life—Sunday lowrider cruises, celebratory gatherings, and moments of protest where residents stood together to defend their right to remain in the community. At the same time, she witnessed overcrowded homes, families struggling to make ends meet, and neighbors facing housing instability. These experiences shaped her belief that when she eventually had the chance to contribute, she would.
Developing Purpose Through CAUSE
Samantha’s introduction to CAUSE (Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy) came through her high school, and she quickly immersed herself in the organization’s youth programs. Over time, she completed five of their paid leadership programs, finding inspiration in the staff’s commitment to justice, education, and local empowerment. Their mentorship helped her understand what community work could look like, and how young people could play a meaningful role in shaping change.
One of her most memorable moments came during a canvassing shift. A simple conversation with a resident grew into an exchange filled with curiosity, connection, and newfound awareness. Encounters like this affirmed the value of the work and reminded her that information and human interaction can spark someone’s interest in their own community.
Not every experience was easy. Samantha sometimes encountered negativity while canvassing or phone banking, but she learned to stay grounded. She focused on sharing factual information rather than engaging in arguments, understanding that her role was to inform and connect rather than persuade through conflict.
Continuing the Work with Food Corps
Samantha’s passion for community health, education, and nutrition eventually led her to 91ÊÓƵ’s Food Corps. Although she once imagined herself teaching only high school students, working with younger children has become a meaningful and energizing part of her life. She enjoys helping students explore gardening, healthy eating, and the natural curiosity that comes with learning outside the classroom.
Returning to the same public schools she grew up in carries special significance for her. She sees it as an opportunity to support first-generation students who, like her, are navigating systems that do not always provide equal access or resources. She aims to be a steady, encouraging presence, someone who sparks curiosity and shows students that their questions, goals, and futures matter. First-generation students who, like her, are navigating systems that do not always provide equal access or resources.
Balancing Roles and Deepening Growth
Samantha identifies strongly as a caregiver, daughter, sister, and student. Balancing these roles with her community work can be challenging, especially when time spent volunteering or organizing takes her away from her family. Over time, she has learned to stay connected by being intentional—checking in, spending quality time when she can, and appreciating the ways her family has begun to follow her example by seeking out their own forms of community involvement.
Service work has also influenced her personal growth. In the past, she often rushed through opportunities out of fear that they would disappear. Through her involvement in the community, she has learned the value of patience. She has seen firsthand how families and individuals wait, endure, and persevere through difficult circumstances, and this has helped her find her own sense of calm within the fast pace of everyday life.
Now a junior at CSU Channel Islands, Samantha approaches her work with a growing sense of clarity and purpose. Her experiences in service-learning and community engagement continue to shape how she thinks about leadership, responsibility, and long-term impact.
Advice for Dolphins
For students hoping to get involved in social empowerment, food justice, or community work, Samantha believes the most important step is simply to keep showing up. Even on difficult days, when energy is low or life feels overwhelming, consistency makes a difference. She encourages others to stay curious, ask questions, build relationships, and trust the long-term impact of showing up for their community.