YWCA USA Supports the DREAM LEAD Institute with Trinity University and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation

For Immediate Release:Juan Sepulvedajsepulv1@trinity.edu

30, Young-Professional DACA Recipients from Across the Country Receive Intensive, Year-Round Leadership Training to Maximize Impact in Community and United States

Washington, DC – YWCA USA will join Trinity University and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) in supporting a new, year-round, intensive leadership institute exclusively for DACA recipients called the DREAM LEAD Institute. Thirty young-professional DACA recipients were selected as DREAM Fellows (or “DREAM LEADers”) for their current work in their communities, organizations, and sectors. The DREAM LEAD Institute, which started in San Antonio, then Washington, D.C., will have a presence across the United States; the next session will take place in San Francisco, followed by Miami, Chicago, and the Rio Grande Valley. Visit https://youtu.be/CW3IZmtincE to view a video created by the participants.The DREAM LEAD Institute is a highly-interactive, participatory program that continuously builds upon each session, allowing the participants to embark on a personal and professional journey fully committed to each other and to making an impact in their communities. The DREAM LEAD curriculum was designed by Trinity University Professor and HHF Board Member Juan Sepulveda, and the DREAM LEAD Institute was founded by HHF President Antonio Tijerino. YWCA USA joined Trinity University and HHF in supporting the institute, in order to expand the program’s reach and to help incubate ideas.“As an organization committed to racial and gender justice, we at YWCA know that immigrant justice is racial justice, and that it is critical to show up for one another and stand with communities of color,” said YWCA USA CEO Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This is integral to our work supporting women, families, and communities across the country. We firmly believe that empowering the next generation of leaders is crucial to creating lasting change, having positive community impact, and building a future that is just, equitable, and free. We are excited to support a program that is developing a strong, supportive community of immigrant youth leaders.”The DREAM LEAD Institute is aimed at DACA recipients ages 20-35, and seeks to:

• Identify, equip, and advance DREAM LEADers from diverse backgrounds and communities
• Strengthen DREAM Fellows’ individual leadership skills and help them better understand what it takes to be an effective leader in the 21st century including cutting-edge leadership development approaches such as adaptive leadership, systems change, network analysis, and evidence-based leadership
• Create a close-knit national peer network of DREAM LEADers to serve as a personal consulting group and “board of directors” for each DREAM Fellow
• Form a powerful environment and culture of trust and safety where DREAM Fellows can openly and honestly present real-life leadership challenges they are facing and receive top-notch advice and guidance from their fellow DREAM LEADers
• Deepen and accelerate positive change in not just the immigrant youth community but across America, through actionable leadership
• Encourage DREAM Fellows to take risks, and to be aggressive, collaborative and creative in their approaches
• Foment ideas and problem-solving efforts which can be incubated through the DREAM LEAD Institute

The DREAM LEADers are:

• Nancy Adossi, Houston, Texas
• Priscilla Aguilar, Pharr, Texas
• Abraham Diaz Alonso, San Juan, Texas
• Karina Alvarez, San Antonio and Laredo, Texas
• Laura Patricia Garcia Balbuena, Newburgh, New York
• David Carrizosa, Phoenix, Arizona
• Giovanni Escobedo, Edinburg, Texas
• Luis A. De Paz Fernandez, South San Francisco, California
• Blanca Gamez, Washington, District of Columbia
• Yuriana Garcia, Jersey City, New Jersey
• Orlando Gil, New York, New York
• Javier Juarez, Cranston, Rhode Island
• Steve Li, San Francisco, California
• Alex Martinez, Kansas City, Missouri
• Angélica Martínez, Albany, New York
• Victoria Matey, Bellingham, Washington
• Maria Mayorga, Greensboro, North Carolina
• Eulalio Mendez, Santa Cruz, California
• Giancarla Rojas Mendoza, Falls Church, Virginia
• Lidia Monica Meneses, Chicago, Illinois
• Rachel Moon, Brooklyn, New York
• Alvaro Morales, Ashburn, Virginia
• Gloria Oduyoye, San Francisco, California
• Ilsy Bu Orellana, Washington, District of Columbia
• Kevin Ortiz, Orlando, Florida, and Greensboro, North Carolina
• Dayana Molina Patino, Los Angeles, California
• Henoc Preciado, Fullerton, California
• Erika Rocha, Austin, Texas
• Angel Silva, Silver Spring, Maryland
• Carlos Sotelo, Houston, Texas

About YWCA USA

YWCA USA is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, stand up for social justice, help families, and strengthen communities. We are one of the oldest and largest women's organizations in the nation, serving over 2 million women, girls, and their families.YWCA has been at the forefront of the most pressing social movements for 160 years — from voting rights to civil rights, from affordable housing to pay equity, from violence prevention to health care reform. Today, we combine programming and advocacy to generate institutional change in three key areas: racial justice and civil rights, empowerment and economic advancement of women and girls, and health and safety of women and girls. Learn more at www.ywca.org.

About Trinity University

Trinity University is a private, liberal arts and sciences institution in San Antonio, Texas, where nearly 2,500 students discover, grow, and become visionaries to make the world a better place. Trinity’s pathways curriculum blends the liberal arts and sciences with business and pre-professional programs, enriching writing, speaking, and problem-solving skills. Trinity confronts global challenges and the status quo as catalysts for change.

About the Hispanic Heritage Foundation

The Hispanic Heritage Foundation focuses on education, workforce development, leadership/service, and culture through agile, innovative high-impact, award-winning programs across the country. Visit www.hispanicheritage.org.

###