A San Diego-based artist, whose story of growing up homeless was the subject of an Academy Award-winning documentary, will share her experience this weekend at the University of San Diego.
Inocente is a keynote speaker at the Interfaith Shelter Network's Celestial Nights on Saturday.
Her family, who didn't speak English or had a place to stay, moved to San Diego from Mexico when she was 6 years old.
They gravitated to Chicano Park in Barrio Logan because, Inocente believes, the bright colors and cultural art work reminded her mother of Mexico. And they knew people who spoke Spanish would likely spend time there.
Inocente said her family slept at the park many nights, and that her mother would sometimes stay awake all night to keep them safe.
"The world is full of so many strong women, and you can't find any stronger women than the women that take care of their children even though they don't have a place to live," Inocente said.
She found her love for art as a teenager. And like the bold shades found in the murals of Chicano Park, her work is vibrant.
"Even if I'm having a bad day, I paint something colorful because my art really helps me," Inocente said. "It changes my mood."
She said her art is mood-changing — and lifesaving.
"When I paint, I feel happy," Inocente said. "So it's a good way to start my morning, just paint on something. And what better place than my face?"
She shared her story with filmmakers when she was 15 years old.
The documentary, "Inocente," won an Academy Award in 2013. It depicts the time she spent at temporary shelters.
"The story that I have about being homeless in San Diego is just a story of many teens here in San Diego that face homelessness and many adults also and families," Inocente said.
She wants people to know families like hers can have hope with resources like job training and transitional housing.
"When we were homeless, of course you feel hopeless," Inocente said. "And years later, I look back and I'm standing at the park where we used to sleep. I mean, it's a good feeling knowing things do change."
Celestial Nights starts 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Forum at the University of San Diego campus.
