My life journey began in the sun-kissed shores of Guatemala. At a young age I transitioned to my new home, the lush forests of Oregon. I grew up both in Oregon and Washington State. My name is Julia Grace Garfield, my friends call me Grace. My life has unfolded uniquely and I hope that by sharing you may find comfort, information, resources, and maybe more. I'm currently a full-time student getting my undergraduate degree for marine ecosystem conservation. I aim to live on the Oregon Coast and protect the native ecosystems on the beach, tide pools, and coastline. I will work hand in hand with indigenous tribes to achieve this.

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My life began in Guatemala City in 1997. It started with me being born from a human trafficking ring which resulted later in an illicit adoption. This personal odyssey fuels my commitment to shedding light on the darker sides of adoption and the untold stories of indigenous people, mothers, the adoptees themselves, and others involved in human trafficking.

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My first investigative article found here, peels back the hierarchical structure of human trafficking in Guatemala. I share case transcripts, local news stories, interviews with human rights lawyers, and poignant conversations with indigenous women who endured unimaginable pain. I dive into UN investigative reports, aiming to make these crucial articles more accessible and spark conversations on adoption, healthy family structures, infertility, transracial adoption trauma, religion, 'the white savior complex', human trafficking, and the complex dynamics of child placement both short and long term.

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In 2017 I opened "A Helping Hand Global" my own 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The Vancouver Business Journal recognized my impact in their Non-profit spotlight, reinforcing the transformative power of aligning values with tangible actions. I proudly fundraised and produced menstrual care kits that provided anyone in need of essential personal hygiene products. Each care kit included tampons, pads, pain relievers, hand sanitizing wipes, feminine wipes, and a reusable menstrual cup donated directly from Anigan, inc. The kit was made of lightweight tins that were air-tight, reusable, and waterproof. Through various community events, all kits were decorated by volunteers and had a unique design for each one. In honor of my grandmother I donated all care kits to her favorite ministry and their organization in Marietta, Georgia.

Read it here.

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Over time, like many of us, I've grown over the years. This led me to a metamorphosis of my 501(c)(3) into Julia Grace Garfield LLC. I have the flexibility to now focus on my personal and professional goals while making sure I can provide for myself, my cats, and my future.

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I strongly believe in local advocacy work. I enjoy uplifting my community and helping others with a mindset of gratitude. From volunteering at Randall Children's Hospital to collaborating with The Portland Monarchs—environmental mindfulness, equity, and community resilience are personal to me. Our work in The Portland Monarchs group was featured on the local news for our habitat restoration at The Pittock Mansion in Portland, Oregon.

Watch the TV clip here.

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Who I am is based in personal resilience, gratitude, and an unwavering commitment to positive change, development, and growth. My life's odyssey has been shaped by the complexities of being born from a human trafficking ring, an illegal adoption, personal identity struggles, racism, accepting intersectionality, and loving myself enough to make the changes necessary to be the happiest and healthiest in my lifetime. While I am proud of my personal triumph, I feel a dedication to turning adversity into opportunities for others.

On this website you will discover my articles, YouTube video(s), photos, and resources dedicated to teachings from my indigenous Maya people. I also have a few Easter eggs throughout my website-don't forget to enjoy the small moments too.

I offer resources that will help you learn about our Cholq'ij system. I am really excited about this project. My free downloadable document includes links to my sources along with extra photos and visuals. I'm working on adding a free dictionary that will automatically update when I add to it. Right now school is my priority as equally as my work too.

With practice, my hope is that these daily readings have the same weight and intention of a well-researched thesis or academic journal. My work is not static. It's a reflection of where I'm at right now in my own understanding, with room to grow.

Support independent journalism and research by donating to cover research fees, paywalls, database access costs, website & domain hosting, as well enables me to dedicate more time on writing, compiling, researching, and editing the Cholq'ij readings. Every contribution makes a difference.

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Welcome to a space where our collective efforts create a narrative of lasting impact and empowerment – because making a difference is not just what I do; it's who I am.

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Julia Grace Garfield