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About Us

Despierta is a non-profit agency founded in Charlotte, NC. It was birthed out of passion to help the Latina community thrive. Being that Latinas are a very underserved population in Charlotte, we aim to empower Latinas by providing support services that can help individuals thrive and strength families.  

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 The issue that was identified when working with Latina immigrants was primarily the lack of knowledge and access to community resources due to language barriers, low education levels, poverty, lack of social support, mistrust of the community, and other cultural barriers.

 

Our goal at Despierta is to be place where women can acquire the proper and effective tools to become self sufficient and resilient within the community. 

Immigrants suffer specific stressors and barriers related to establishing a new life in a foreign country. Despierta believes every Latina woman, regardless of her legal status, should have the support needed to thrive in our community.

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We must RISE.

Juliana Lozano, MSW, LCSWA

Founder & Executive Director 

 

Colombian American

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Master of Social Work from the University of South Carolina

Jazmin Hermosillo-Aguilar, CHW

Mujer Despierta Program Director
Mexican American
Bachelor of Sociology from UNCG

Meet The Board Members

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Andrea Mora, MPH

Co-Founder, President & Treasurer 

 

Mexican American

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Master of Public Health from Liberty  University

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Courtney Buggs, MSW, LCSWA

Community Outreach Committee

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Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from Winthrop University

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Master of Social Work (MSW) from University of South Carolina

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Courtney is from Columbia, SC 

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Emily Chaskelson

Support Services Committee

ELL Teacher-Myers Park High School

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University of Kansas 

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Masters Degree from University of North Carolina at Charlotte 

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Emily is from Kansas City and has resided in Charlotte since 2006.

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Mary Kate Finnigan, NP 

Secretary & Health Education Committee

-Master of Science- Family Practice Nursing from Frontier Nursing University

-Bachelor of Science-RN from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center 

-Specialties: Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN)

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Geraldine Arias

Community Outreach Committee

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Public Notary

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Geraldine came to the U.S. at age 8 from Colombia. 

Community Outreach Committee

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Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from JCSU

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Courtney is a North Carolina native and has been a social worker for 15 years.

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Melissa Rendon

Support Services Committee

Bank of America

Colombian  American

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Courtney Moore, BSW

Our Staff

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