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Bakersfield, California

Azra is a 2024 United Ways of California Ambassador, a group of community members from across the state who are lifting community voices, speaking up about issues Californians are facing, and raising awareness about valuable resources.

Azra Joy isn’t just an artist; she’s a beacon of community empowerment, merging her love for graphic design with a passion for helping others. Her dedication to serving her family, friends, and community shines through in everything she does.

From her early days in high school, Azra discovered her knack for visual thinking, which paved the way for her journey in art and design. She developed her talent during her college years, where she not only studied graphic design but also worked part-time jobs on campus. By finding ways to implement design into her duties as an education department office assistant, freshmen orientation leader, and sociology tutor, she learned the power of design in making important information engaging and accessible to broader audiences. This blend of skills in art, design, communication, and advocacy became her superpower as a community organizer.

Today, Azra is a digital media coordinator and graphic designer for the UFW Foundation. This nonprofit, dedicated to farmworker rights and immigration legal services, resonates deeply with Azra, herself a second-generation Mexican American. The organization played a pivotal role in her family’s life, facilitating her mother’s journey from permanent resident to citizen, granting her the right to vote and participate in shaping policies that enhance community well-being.

Azra’s connection to United Way stems from a pivotal moment in 2020 when she stumbled upon the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program offered by United Way of Central Eastern California. Frustrated by the high fees of commercial tax services, she was thrilled to find a free alternative. She shared this discovery with her family, including her Spanish-speaking mother, who found solace in the bilingual support offered by United Way. This program became a lifeline during the pandemic, ensuring her family retained their tax refunds, crucial amidst job losses and financial strain. Since then, Azra and her family have continued to file their taxes for free with United Way. In 2024, despite her rising income, Azra was able to transition seamlessly to use United Ways of California’s MyFreeTaxes.org for free self-filing, securing her tax refund in her emergency savings account through direct deposit.

Beyond United Ways of California’s tax assistance, other community resources have been integral to Azra’s family stability. Rent relief programs, utility assistance, stimulus checks, subsidized health care, and food stamps have facilitated their financial resilience during challenging times. While she acknowledges the privilege her college education and full-time employment grant her, she maintains that she would not have reached her current level of financial empowerment without the transformative power of community resources. Azra’s story champions the ethos of community empowerment, a testament to her enduring belief in the power of solidarity and service.

Learn more about how United Ways across California, including United Way of Central Eastern California, are supporting farmworkers and their families through free tax prep, pandemic relief, and other initiatives.