Welcome to our CNC Alumni Spotlight, where we celebrate the inspiring journeys of our past program participants. Today, we're thrilled to spotlight Darío Herrera, a former participant in the MRCA River Ambassadors program who has since embarked on a remarkable career path, combining his passion for community service with his love for the natural world.
Connecting to the LA River
Darío joined the MRCA River Ambassadors program in 2015-16, an experience that marked his first opportunity to form what would become a deep connection to the LA River. Despite growing up in the neighborhood, Darío faced the barrier of restricted access which inhibited his ability to connect to the River. The program created a space in which he could both enjoy the River and participate in civic activities related to it.
One of the highlights of Darío’s time with the River Ambassadors was being able to encourage and share a feeling of connectedness to the River with the community. Through the program, he and the other River Ambassadors planned events and coordinated community outings. This responsibility was both thrilling and eye-opening. “It was amazing to help people interact with Marsh Park and to see it as a space meant for community enjoyment,” Darío reflects. He experienced many firsts, including kayaking and camping, and gained valuable knowledge about nature. He appreciated being a part of a cohort of youth with varying levels of interest in the outdoors, learning and deepening their connections together.
Darío’s Journey
Following his time with the River Ambassadors, Darío secured a job with MRCA as an Interpretive Host at Franklin Canyon Park where he was able to share his passion for nature and provide information about local hikes, all while working independently. Darío's journey continued at Williams College in Massachusetts, where he further nurtured his affinity with the natural world. During college summers, he returned to LA for internships with community-based organizations, driven by a desire to serve and connect with others. His roles included working at a lending library in Boyle Heights called Libros Schmibros, a nonprofit preschool, and a tech startup focused on education access and equity. He also began to pursue an interest in oral histories, an area that intrigued him as a History major in college.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Darío volunteered at Mercadito, a local free produce distribution program, run by LA Más and that was where he met LA Más' Executive Director, Helen Leung. Their shared roots in Elysian Valley and her knowledge of his interests led her to encourage Darío to apply for an open position at another local non-profit Clockshop. Here Darío's background in history and community-focused work would come in handy for their new oral history project, Take Me to Your River.
Community Voices
In January 2023, Darío began his role as the Community Programs Manager at Clockshop. His main responsibility is leading the oral history project, "Take Me to Your River," which spans three years and focuses on documenting the experiences of communities in Cypress Park, Glassell Park, Elysian Valley, and Atwater Village. This project aims to amplify the voices of community members experiencing the effects of gentrification and to preserve the cultural narratives that contribute to the richness of these neighborhoods. As Darío puts it “Displacement not only affects people physically but is also cultural. You lose the culture of community, not only because people take their physical beings away but also their stories.”
Reflections & Advice
Reflecting on his time with the River Ambassadors, Darío notes how it shaped his relationship with the outdoors and highlights the importance of access–how building a connection to smaller, more local green spaces can actually have the same benefit as traveling to more far-flung regional parks. His initial fears of outdoor experiences were overcome, fostering a lasting spirit of curiosity and adventure.
Darío values the social skills and connections he developed through the River Ambassadors program. His advice to current CNC participants is to maintain relationships with mentors and peers, emphasizing that these connections can be crucial for future opportunities. “Your network is what’s going to help you land these jobs,” he advises. “Take advantage of your youth to soak up as much as you can.”
Continuing Connections
Darío shared that he appreciates the monthly emails and local alumni events through CNC’s Continuing Connections program and hopes for more opportunities that offer tangible takeaways and accessible activities.
We’re incredibly grateful to Darío for sharing his journey with our community and we look forward to staying connected to witness the impact he continues to make in his community. His story drives our work in nurturing young leaders who are passionate about both nature and service through our programs. Keep an eye out for more spotlights on the alumni who make our community vibrant and resilient.
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