Public Statement of Joaquin Cruz Castillo

Who I Am My name is Joaquin Cruz Castillo. I am 36 years old, a father, an advocate, and a man who stands on honesty — even when that honesty means admitting my mistakes. I’ve had failures, I’ve made errors, and I’ve taken accountability for every single one. I don’t hide from my past; I face it, learn from it, and grow from it. That’s part of who I am. Advocacy, for me, isn’t a title or a position. It’s being myself while doing the work. You might see me filing paperwork, picking up recycling, playing soccer, swimming, or having a drink with family or alone. I’m a regular person who works a regular job — and that job, along with the recycling I pick up, is part of what shaped me. It keeps me grounded. It keeps me connected to the community I care about. It reminds me that real advocacy starts with everyday actions, not just big statements. I believe in God. I’m Catholic and proud of it, but I respect everyone’s beliefs. Every day I try to greet people with a “good morning,” stay respectful, and treat people correctly. I’m straightforward — if I don’t like someone’s energy, I simply stay quiet and keep my distance. No drama, no disrespect. I enjoy talking, learning new things, and having fun conversations. I don’t like heights, and rats scare me — and I say that openly because I’m not pretending to be anything I’m not. My Advocacy My advocacy didn’t begin because of what I went through in the system. I’ve always spoken against errors, injustices, and unfair treatment — long before marriage, long before kids, long before any case or conflict. I’ve always believed that when something is wrong, you stand up. You don’t wait for someone else to fix it. But I never expected the system to become so aggressive toward me as a parent. I try to be strict but fair, giving my kids space to grow and be themselves. I don’t claim to be better than anyone — we’re all different. But I do claim this: I’m fighting for what’s right, and I’m being transparent about who I am. What I Stand For I stand for accountability — starting with myself. I stand for respect — even when people disagree. I stand for community — the everyday people who work, struggle, grow, and try their best. I stand for fairness — especially in systems that affect families and children. I stand for transparency — showing who I am without pretending to be perfect. I’m not here to impress anyone. I’m here to be real, present, and consistent. My Purpose Moving Forward I want people to know who I am and what I’m looking for: to advocate for fairness, to speak up when something isn’t right, and to represent myself with honesty and strength. I’m building my path as a father, as a community member, and as someone who refuses to stay silent when something is wrong. My life, my work, my recycling, my conversations, my faith, my mistakes — all of it is part of my story. And I’m not hiding any of it. Closing Message At the end of the day, I’m not trying to be perfect or pretend to be someone I’m not. I’m showing you exactly who I am — a father, a worker, a man who picks up recycling, a person who talks to his neighbors, someone who believes in God, someone who has made mistakes and owned them, and someone who stands up when something isn’t right. I’m building my life with transparency, with accountability, and with the courage to speak openly about my experiences. I’m not hiding my flaws, my fears, or my past. I’m using them to grow, to learn, and to advocate for fairness wherever I see injustice. I’m here to represent myself honestly. I’m here to fight for what’s right. I’m here to keep moving forward. This is my story. This is my voice. This is who I am — and I’m standing on it with pride. ---