The Power of Showing Up For Each Other in the Community
This weekend while out canvassing, I was struck by something that’s hard to ignore: people are tired.
Exhausted, really.
So many of our neighbors feel disheartened by what’s happening around us — especially when it comes to immigration and the fear that ICE has brought into our communities.
But even in the middle of that heaviness, there’s still so much hope.
Because what I’ve seen — and what I felt this weekend — is that people still care. They still open their doors, share their stories, and hold onto the belief that when we show up for each other, change is possible.
This work isn’t just about collecting signatures or knocking on doors. It’s about listening. Listening to what people need. Listening to their frustrations, their fears, their dreams for what this community could be.
One of my favorite conversations was with a 90-year-old man named John. He told me about his time in the Army, being stationed in Japan, and how proud he still is to stay engaged in politics after all these years. His voice carried both wisdom and warmth — a reminder that civic engagement isn’t just a duty, it’s a lifelong act of love for your community.
That conversation stayed with me long after I left his doorstep. It reminded me why I’m running — because every person deserves to feel seen, heard, and protected. Because politics, at its best, should reflect our shared humanity.
We may be tired, but we’re still showing up for each other.
And that’s how real change begins.
Thank you for your support, your trust, and your belief in what we can build together.
Let’s keep going—because together, we’re stronger.
With gratitude,
Carina Santa Maria
Candidate for Illinois State Senate, District 27