Worthy of Love with Sol Mercado

“Today I know I deserve to be loved.” At 19 years old, Sol Mercado was locked up and given the death penalty. After years of experiencing abuse and violence at home and turning to gangs for love and protection, she felt hopeless and broken. But it was unexpected love in an unexpected place—from her niece and nephews in a California state prison visiting room—that reminded her she’s worthy of love and encouraged her to explore her own trauma and take accountability for the harm she caused.

Sol is now home. She’s a nursery technician in Oakland, CA at Planting Justice and is expecting her first child.