Tell us about what you do for a living and how you got into
I am a Master Social Worker/Counselor who has worked in many different fields/arenas of Social Work. Some of these arenas include Domestic Violence, Sexually Abused Children, Human Trafficking Victims, prevention services for Substance Use, Medical Social Work, and mandated court ordered Batter’s Intervention Program for the Latino population. Other work was focused on Palliative Care/Hospice services with patients and families providing Bereavement, End-Of-Life process, and Grief Counseling within the Latino community. I began Organizacion Internacional de Latinos en el Exterior (O.I.L.E.) on 12/12/2014 as a non-profit 501-©3 social service agency. I chose to work in the community part-time to serve my clients that has grown into being employed full-time in a non-traditional agency that serves our multi-racial community who are experiencing any psychosocial needs or issues while remaining focused on O.I.L.E’s mission that is to improve the quality of life of Latinos in Southwest Florida. My passion began when my husband and I owned our own business. He is an Acupuncturist, and I was the Office Manager who provided compassionate and empathetic listening to the clients while attending to my duties. I was the first person that interviewed many women who received services in our office. I identified that many of these women shared experiences of abuse (emotional, verbal, financial, or sexual) by their spouses. While observing their expressions, they were experiencing low self-esteem or were unhappy in their marital relationships. These women were taught by their Latino ancestors “No matter what type of life you have, you have to be with your husband till death do you part”. While processing and praying for these women, I believe that God led me to Social Work and to assist as many individuals as I can while living in this world. In your industry, what would you say separates you from your competition? I believe my nomination happened because I was born in Arandas, Jalisco, and lived in Mexico City up to the age of 15, I am not only understanding the language, but I can relate to the Latino’s feelings, and psychosocial issues they have. I feel that from the moment we leave our hometown to come to a new country, not knowing the culture or the language, it can be a traumatic experience. Especially, if there is no family support system. Why do you feel you were nominated? I was nominated because I am committed and passionate to our Lee County community. I am focused on building strong collaborative relationships with community leaders. While serving God, my mission is to continue our quest of equality for all of Gods Children. During COVID-19, tell us about your Biggest Challenge/obstacle and how you overcame it/or are overcoming it? During COVID-19 we did not stop working. Our ladies who are part of the Healing Stitches group, they were helping from home making masks. We were able to make over 10,000 masks that were provided to the Lee County community residents. We went to the shelters, and underserved communities to prevent spreading the COVID-19. We were able to provide masks to the Immokalee city in Collier County for migrant population as-well. It was a great project because volunteer women from the Pine Island community were able to participate in this community project. We encountered residents that refused the masks stating that this was a political issue, and that the COVID-19 was not real. Tell us about your biggest achievement, and how you achieved it? I have four children, and knowing that they are successful, and contributing men, and woman in our society, has been my greatest achievement. Teaching them the values of citizenship in a country that was foreign to me. I taught them are not entitled, but to work and help others in need. For me my children are my HEROES! I have been married for 41 years, and my husband has been a great supporter, and very patient with anything I have done, as well as my children. What is next for you? What can people expect to see from you? My biggest dream has been to open a shelter for the Latino women that have been victims of any crime, as well-as victims of sex trafficked. My dream is to provide them with safe housing where they can free themselves from their traumas through our Healing Stitches Therapeutic, and vocational program. Empowering the victims to become Economically Self-sufficient, Self-independent, and to learn to use their voices. What does being a U.S. Citizen mean to you? As a Naturalized US Citizen, this question will probably have a different meaning than a Natural Born Citizen. Being a Naturalized US Citizen is a gift given to me because of my hard work, faith, and perseverance! It was a second opportunity at LIFE; yes, at LIFE! A life that as a child I did not imagine I would have OR that it even existed. A life that was triggered by my parent’s decision to immigrate to the United States of America seeking a better life for their family – what a wonderful decision they made! It means being a part of a BIG community which allows each individual to carve their own fate, their own way. Many times, paved with obstacles and hurdles which were not expected, but through the work ethic instilled by my parents, family support and my faith, I knew I could overcome – and I did! The biggest realization of that Second chance at Life came in two ways.
I am a Naturalized US Citizen striving to contribute to this BIG community that has given me and my family so many blessings! What is your opinion of the state of affairs in our nation? And what role do you see Hispanics/Latinos playing in the future of our nation? Any public official that was voted in by the PEOPLE, should conduct themselves with integrity, moral values, trustworthiness, respectful, responsible, and advocating for the well-being of their communities. Many Latinos/Hispanics are undocumented, or not they are becoming entrepreneurs, building their own business, and at the same time we are consumers. I feel that WE came to this country seeking better life opportunities. What is the best lesson that you have learned in leadership and how has it helped your career? I learned from one of my clients that her two underage daughters were trafficked by a family member in another country. I had that opportunity to turn my head and pretend that I did not hear what I heard or do something about. The greatest thing that I learned at the moment, was communicating and collaborating with other community-based agencies to be able to rescue these innocent girls from trafficking. Life is a learning process, and I feel that we never stop learning, especially serving the public. At this time, I am committed in passing and providing education to our undocumented population to “Know Your Rights.” Is there anything I didn’t ask that you would like to share? I would love to continue building a strong Social Services agency, to service not just our Latino community, but every Lee County resident and surroundings counties. What is YOUR comida Latina favorita? Mole de Oya was one of my mom’s specialty dishes. It was a dish made from scratch. Mom prepared all the condiments, toasted the chiles and seeds, blended all the spices, and made the mole from scratch. It obtained a tangerine color and when it was ready, she added the boiled vegetables, zucchini, green beans, chayote, and the cooked meat. She also made yellow-rice that accompanies this dish, and I can taste it at this moment just by talking about it! She had many delicious dishes, but this was the most elaborate and unique dish.
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