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FROM CHAOS TO CARING
ASHLEY LOPEZ
Anyone meeting human dynamo Ruby Guillen for the first time might suspect the truth—that she is a modern-day superhero. Few are able to guess that this same powerhouse, whose work includes saving children from violence and rescuing them from the worst imaginable child abuse, was once a foster child herself.
“I saw things, and I had experiences that didn’t make me feel good,” she says. “Having an understanding of that, I wanted to figure out how to make the system less scary for kids.”
Not surprisingly, that led to her calling as a social worker for her community. Armed with only a badge, a clipboard, and a compassionate heart, part of her job entails driving all over Southern California, rescuing children from dangerous situations.
Ruby makes it known that even with growing public awareness of the abuse, neglect, and mistreatment of babies and children, there are far too many who desperately need to be saved. The national organization Childhelp reports that more than four children die daily from abuse in the United States. According to the American Society for the Positive Care of Children, the most vulnerable children are age four or younger, as they are at higher risk of dying.
Refusing to give up on even one child, Ruby’s mission is to change those dire statistics.
And here’s where her superhero reputation comes in. It turns out that when she is not physically out on the front lines protecting children, Ruby is busy creating life-saving technology that has changed the landscape of reporting on child abuse in her field.
In 2016, Ruby founded Humanistic Technologies, an enterprise focused on improving the efficiency of social workers and others in the helping fields through the use of applications and other tech tools. A primary focus of the apps aims to reduce child fatalities and help protect children from harm.
Her multiple perspectives as a former foster kid and fearless social worker, with her unique “hacktivist approach,” have set her apart and made her a formidable foe of those who commit or tolerate acts of violence against children.
Ruby and her team at Humanistic Technologies have developed an app that has been pivotal in the protection of children and youth. With existing practices, when a first responder helps an abused child, the responder must file a report for their specific department. Sometimes, however, the report is not readily accessible to other departments. The app allows for these forms to be filled out online and additionally ensures that no child abuse reporting data gets lost between city departments. Keeping this data available across all city departments doubly protects children from further harm.
Ruby recognizes that no app or piece of technology can do the work that a feeling, concerned human being can. She acknowledges, “People think technology is cold.” In the hands of a human being who cares, however, all that changes. She goes on. “You get a sentiment of coldness and try to create warmness out of it.”
Without a doubt, kindness, compassion, and empathy are at the heart of the work of Humanistic Technologies. Take, for example, the landmark event that took place in December of 2017, when Humanistic Technologies partnered with municipalities to organize a “heartfelt hackathon” in downtown Los Angeles.
Several programmers and social workers spent days collaborating on the creation of new technology aimed not only at intervention but also at the prevention of child abuse. The Child Abuse Prevention Hackathon was the first of its kind. Unlike most hackathons that develop technology to be used in industry for investment or for profit, this event did not have cash prizes. All participants selflessly devoted their time for the greater good.
Ashley’s story is proof that we can use what we learn in the face of adversity to help those in similar situations. I am grateful for compassionate people like Ruby and Ashley (a constant kindness ambassador in all that she does), who use their skills to help children. If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, please contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline for 24-7 help.
Ruby says proudly, “People were working together and willing to engage in dialogue and challenge each other in collaboration for the sake of children. You have to have kindness in order to maximize the value of creating technology.”
Ruby’s story of being a foster kid who grew up to become a superhero on behalf of all children in need of protection is a lesson to us all. We can all learn to be tough and compassionate, tech savvy and brave. There can be no greater investment than that which we make in the future of the well-being and safety of our youngest, most vulnerable citizens.
We can all make a difference with kindness in mind—just like Ruby Guillen.