Wellness Celebrities The One Thing America Ferrera Will Never Forget About Her Childhood She remembers a time when her life wasn't nearly as glamorous. By Health.com Editorial Team Health.com Editorial Team An article by 'Health.com Editorial Team' indicates a collaborative effort from our in-house team. Sometimes, several writers and editors may contribute to an article over the years. These collaborations allow Health.com editors to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available. The editors at Health.com are a dedicated team of experienced health editors, writers, and other media professionals who strive to bring trustworthy and responsible health and medical content to their readers. As a team, we have decades of experience in health journalism, and have worked at legacy publishers and some of the biggest news and media companies in the U.S. health's editorial guidelines Published on November 26, 2018 Share Tweet Pin Email The season of giving is upon us, and you might be wondering how to get started when it comes to doing your part during the holidays. Luckily, America Ferrera is here to share exactly why she’s so passionate about helping others to deliver just the inspiration you need to do the same. When we see Ferrera up on the big screen, it can be easy to forget that she came from a humble background just like many of us. “I’m the daughter of immigrants, a working class family getting by with very little,” she says. America Ferrera on Her Postpartum Body: "There are Parts I Love and Also Parts That Are Super Challenging" Sure, Ferrera knows what it’s like to have the resources to create a comfortable holiday season full of giving for her family, but she also knows what it’s like not to. She was raised by a single mother who had to support six children, and she saw how challenging that was. America Ferrera on How Triathlons Changed Her Sense of Self : 'Working Out Has Always Been an Emotional Experience' “It makes it easier for me to put myself in the shoes of people who aren’t like me,” Ferrera says. “It drives me to have compassion and to want to better anyone’s situation if I’m able to.” We all have a story, and Ferrera’s has helped her see the value in giving back. Think about your past experiences. Is there a cause that lies close to your heart? See that cause as the answer to how you can lend a helping hand this holiday season. To get our top stories delivered to your inbox, sign up for the Healthy Living newsletter Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit