However, violence in Juarez has decreased in recent years. In 2014, the Citizens Council for Public Safety and Criminal Justice reported 538 murders, a considerable drop from the more than 3,000 in previous years. Even so, as of January 2015 Juarez ranks 27th on the list of the 50 most violent cities in the world.
"Juarez is recovering right now," said Erika. She warned that "there's still a lot of violence around."
There are many small children who are orphaned and single mothers widowed by the violence.
Erika said Pope Francis' visit to Juarez brings a message that "it's worth the effort to go forward." She said residents are hoping for "those words you need to hear, at best to give you some consolation, those words of encouragement."
The young Mexican woman spoke about her faith. Her family, facing the painful loss of their father, was "clinging to our faith in God, who knew why this had happened."
She also found other forms of help: "the community, the affection, the support."
Citing her own experience, Erika said that "clinging to God is the only thing that can heal you. I don't know, you feel rage, helpless, furious, angry, and suddenly you get to the point when you want to turn back the clock, but you can't, you don't see the way out, and the only way out is to hang on to God, to cling to your faith and try to move on."
"When you get to the point where you say 'now what?' the only way out is God," she said.