Introducing myself and my journal: Adopting the Unconventional

About Me:
I'm a survivor. Latina. Mother, sister, friend. I'm a mentor. I work to educate young women in my community about the issues that impact their daily lives. I work in partnership with my community to enhance and develop leadership to address issues and take action. I am a youth practitioner. I am a catalyst for change.

My Passions:
Latina Youth Development, Issues Impacting the Lives of Women and Girls, Leadership Development for Women and Girls

My Challenges:
Insecurities

My Vision for the Future:
As a community psychologist working at a national Latina organization headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, I dream of a world free of violence against women and girls. I dream of increasing the number of chances available to Latina young women and girls. Chances that provide possibilities to positive outcomes in their lives - a chance at having basic needs met, a chance at leading violence free lives, a chance to access higher education and a chance at self-sufficiency. I dream of influencing lives in ways that lead to changes in circumstances and outcomes. I dream of supporting Latina young women and girls to become successful in a world that can often be cruel and unforgiving. I dream of chances, choices and changes in the lives of Latina young women and girls.

My Areas of Expertise:
Latina youth development, leadership development, program development and implementation, curriculum writing and development, grant writing, community based participatory research.