About Victoria Cortez

Where I Come From

I was raised in San Jose, California, in a household shaped by tradition, resilience, and faith. Ours was a multigenerational, multicultural home full of discipline, laughter, strong women, and big dreams. I was taught early that education was a form of liberation—but that it had to start at home. That background has stayed with me through every chapter of my life.

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I’ve lived through the beauty and the breaking of generational cycles. I know what it means to be the bridge—to hold the past in one hand and a better future in the other. Much of my work is rooted in that calling: to help children, especially those from marginalized communities, grow up whole, seen, and emotionally safe.

 

My Work: Stories That Grow Strong Kids

Through my book series, All Good Things N More, I bring stories to life that help children navigate their emotions, their identities, and the world around them. These aren’t just storybooks—they’re tools for healing, self-discovery, and connection.

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Designed for parents, educators, therapists, and families of all kinds, the series blends storytelling with social-emotional learning, cultural relevance, and faith-rooted values. Each book includes reflective questions, family activities, and prompts to spark the kinds of conversations that shape a child’s inner voice.

 

Standout titles include:

• Grown-Up Eyes: A powerful lesson in the impact of adult words on a child’s self-worth

• The Things We Miss: A poetic invitation to slow down and embrace the present

• What Grows In the Dark?: A brave exploration of fear, trauma, and growth

 

These books are for the kids who are feeling too much, the parents who are carrying too much, and the educators trying to hold it all together. They’re for anyone who believes in the power of words to mend what the world too often tries to tear.

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Mental Health, Trauma & Healing Work

Beyond the pages, I’m deeply involved in mental health advocacy, especially as it relates to childhood development, family wellness, and breaking cycles of generational trauma. I know firsthand how trauma hides in plain sight—how it lingers in family dynamics, schooling gaps, community neglect, and unspoken histories.

I work to raise awareness, build resources, and empower families to heal. My mission is to bring mental health conversations into the everyday spaces—homes, schools, churches—so that it’s no longer taboo, no longer hidden, no longer ignored.

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Healing is holy work, and every child deserves to grow up with tools for resilience, reflection, and emotional literacy.

 

Education, Advocacy & Social Justice

My advocacy didn’t stop at the dinner table—it led me straight into public education leadership. When virtual learning exposed just how broken many of our systems were, I rolled up my sleeves. I ran for the school board to give families like mine a real voice in policy and decision-making.

 

And I’ve fought hard for what matters:

• School choice that truly respects family freedom and dignity

• Culturally responsive curriculum that reflects real kids in real communities

• Voting rights and civic literacy so that every family can shape their future

• Minority rights and equity in education, because fair is not always equal

 

I believe that education, when done right, is an act of social justice. I believe every child—no matter their zip code, background, or ability—deserves access to opportunity, safety, and stories that affirm their worth.

 

Why I Do This

Because I’ve watched too many kids fall through the cracks.
Because I’ve felt what it’s like to mother through crisis.
Because I believe that stories can be soft enough to comfort and strong enough to spark change.

I do this work for the families caught between systems and silence. I do it for the kids growing up in the middle of “not enough.” And I do it because I’ve never stopped believing in the good that can grow when we water the roots.