Arriving in the United States as a child, Juan Constantino had to navigate the challenges of undocumented life. His determination and ambition led him to become the executive director of La Casa de Amistad, where he advocates for those of the Hispanic, Latino, and immigrant communities.
Constantino was born in Mexico to loving parents who wanted to give their children a better future. When he was just 2 years old, his parents made the difficult decision that his father would move to the United States to work while Constantino, his mother, and his older brother stayed behind in Mexico.
“Early on, my parents realized that we didn’t have all the opportunities they wanted for my older brother and me in Mexico, largely due to financial constraints and not being able to afford school,” said Constantino. “When my father moved to the United States to work, he would send money back home to us so we could attend school and hopefully have the opportunities our parents dreamed of for us.”
After three years of living apart, the separation became too much for the family. At age 5, Constantino, along with his mother and older brother, made the journey from Mexico to South Bend, Indiana, to reunite with his father.
Growing up, Constantino and his brother always knew of their undocumented status; their parents warned them to keep this a secret. Despite fears of what could happen if someone found out, Constantino thrived in his new environment. He graduated from Saint Joseph High School and went on to attend Holy Cross College where he double majored in communications and theology with a focus on social justice and peace.
Before his freshman year of college, Constantino experienced some pivotal moments that changed the trajectory of his educational journey and his future.
As a witness to his older brother’s struggles to secure financial aid without a social security number, Constantino worried he would face the same challenges. However, he discovered a scholarship that alleviated all his concerns.
“The Juan Diego Scholarship awarded two full-ride scholarships that year to undocumented students in the area, and thankfully, I was one of the recipients,” Constantino said. “That gave me the opportunity to go to college.”
That same summer before his freshman year, the Obama administration introduced the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which opened up more possibilities for Constantino’s future.
“DACA provides a two-year temporary permit for legal authorization to work in the United States and obtain a social security number,” said Constantino. “It also allowed me to officially apply for and get a driver’s license. This enabled me to dream big and know that, when I graduated from college, I could pursue any career path I wanted because I had legal authorization to work. It truly changed my life.”
As a double major in theology and communications, Constantino hoped to gain new perspectives and skills that would prepare him for his future career.
“Ultimately, I chose a theology major and a communications major to equip myself as best as I could, and I feel it was the best decision I made,” Constantino said. “I majored in theology to learn how to think differently, process things morally and ethically, and make informed choices about right and wrong. I majored in communications to ensure I could articulate my thoughts well, speak publicly, and become a better writer.”
While interning in college, Constantino learned about a full-time position at La Casa de Amistad from a colleague and was encouraged to apply. After graduating, he began his career at La Casa de Amistad, where he has worked for the past eight years. Throughout his tenure, he has held several positions, including programming assistant, development coordinator, director of development, and currently executive director — a position he’s held for the last three years.
During his time at La Casa de Amistad, Constantino has found that one of his favorite things about his job is interacting with his team and witnessing their growth throughout the years.
“There are so many things I love about La Casa de Amistad — the impact we make, the change we bring, and the growth we see in our community,” said Constantino. “Probably the thing I enjoy most about my job, though, is the interactions with my team. Many have similar, if not identical, experiences to those within the Latino, Hispanic, and immigrant communities, and seeing their professional development and passion for their work is truly beautiful.”
For Constantino, being the executive director of La Casa de Amistad is more than just a job; it’s personal. His experiences growing up shaped his deep commitment to the role.
“The work goes beyond being just a job. It feels like a part of me, a part of my life, and my experience,” Constantino said. “Not only is it my role and our team’s role to advocate for the Latino, Hispanic, and immigrant communities at large, but I also feel like I’m advocating for my own story and the story of my family.”
Outside of work, Constantino enjoys morning walks, playing disc golf, and spending time with his niece and nephew.
“I love the city of South Bend and the direction it is heading,” said Constantino. “South Bend has always been my home and will forever be my home. I’m proud to play a small part in its progress through La Casa de Amistad.”