Dear CJ Community,
Reciban un gran saludo en este lindo otoño. We’ve been working behind-the-scenes to engage in deep self-reflection and re-imagination of our work for the benefit of our Latinx youth. In that effort, we have some exciting news to share!
We are pleased to welcome Paola Sánchez Valdez as CJ’s Interim Executive Director. Paola is an Ecuadorian advocate and social worker who grew up in Lynchburg, VA. She practices compassionate leadership and studies somatic healing as a way towards collective liberation. She holds a Bachelors in Education from UVA and a Masters of Social Work from Columbia University. We are confident that Paola’s leadership will bring fresh energy and insights to our work.
We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to Ingrid Ramos for her exceptional leadership and dedication as the previous Board Chair of Creciendo Juntos. We would not be who we are today without Ingrid. Her contributions and leadership created the foundation for CJ’s community presence and impact over the past 7 years. From presenting trauma-informed, culturally responsive workshops, to spearheading our program La Cultura Cura, and centering healing, Ingrid has remained a grounding presence. We are deeply thankful for her passion, commitment and most importantly, for who she is. We have no doubt that she will continue flourishing the next path she sets on.
Lastly, we are thrilled to announce that Maria Rincón is our new Board Chair. Maria is excited to join the CJ Board having grown up as an immigrant in Charlottesville herself. Her background is in studying the effects of U.S. imperialism in Latin America and how they are connected to the root causes of mass migration. Maria’s leadership and vision will be invaluable as we navigate this period of growth and transformation.
What’s Next?
Over the next couple of months, Creciendo Juntos will be working on refining our identity and strengthening our vision in order to increase our impact and better serve the Latinx youth in the Charlottesville-Albemarle area. We will share more news with you in the coming months.
In the meantime, we look forward to continuing Si Se Puede programming this fall, co-hosting La Cultura Cura with The Women’s Initiative, and fostering leadership in Latinx youth.
We want to thank you for your trust, patience, and support over the past year as we transition into this new chapter for CJ. Your continued commitment means the world to us, and we are excited about the future we are building together.
Stay tuned for more updates by joining our newsletter mailing list, and thank you for being a part of the CJ community!
With gratitude,
The Creciendo Juntos Board of Directors
