Hispanic Outreach
I was privileged to learn Spanish as a missionary in El Salvador and Nicaragua in the 1970’s. My work in later years extended into Mexico as well as Colombia and Ecuador, South America.
I served as Dean of Women at Stevens School of the Bible in Lenox, MA, teaching and interacting with college-aged women while reaching out to the Hispanic community in Holyoke, MA. I was also employed at a local juvenile detention center as a youth counselor.
I began the Women’s Ministry program at Greater Grace World Outreach in Baltimore, MD in 1987 while doing volunteer work in Baltimore’s inner city. I was awarded special recognition from the Mayor’s office for my team’s efforts working with incarcerated juveniles. During that time, I traveled nationally and internationally with mime, drama and dance teams doing street theater.
After moving to North Carolina, I became a Hispanic Family Advocate with the Family Advocacy Network under the auspices of the Mental Health Association in Orange County and facilitated a weekly support group for mothers at Centro Latino. I was trained as a Parent -Teacher Educator working with the Hispanic community with Early Head Start through the Chapel Hill Training Project. I went on to become a Family Support Specialist for Spanish-speaking clients at Carolina Outreach before assuming the role of therapeutic foster parent.
I have received training in a family systems model and keep current with social work innovations and best practices by attending local seminars and workshops.