Hello! My name is Juliana and I am a 24 year old NYRican (Puerto Rican from New York) with a heart burning to make positive change in our world. I have just earned my master’s degree in social work from the University of Illinois at Chicago and am excited to explore the next part of my journey utilizing all the skills that I have learned.
Over the last few years, I have realized my passion and talents as a visionary for working with young people, especially those labeled “at risk” and/or facing the criminal justice system. My interests center around the creative development of restorative justice and psychoeducational programs that provide young people with skills that are necessary for existing in a world that expects success, without seeing to it that the proper tools and foundations are first given to them. This past year, I have been blessed with the opportunity to intern at the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (JTDC) which gave me the platform to create a program called “Buried Seeds.” This program works to re-empower young people through the personal development of grit, perseverance, tenacity and strategic planning.
Through the Young Adult Volunteer program (YAV), I will be serving in Moyobamba, Peru, located in the northern high jungle. In this region, there is an inordinately high level of deaf and mute children and youth with nearly no resources to provide opportunities for their growth and socialization. During my year there, I will be volunteering with the Paz y Esperanza organization where I will learn basic Peruvian sign language and help create programs for hearing impaired youth and children, their families, teachers, and leaders in the community. Additionally, I will accompany the organization in advocating for educational rights, assist in teaching classes, and become an integral part of a tightly knit and very loving community.
During this year of service, I hope to continue learning the ways in which we can truly make a difference in this world and how we can bring those same skills, tools, and love back into our own communities to better the kin-dom of God.
A Woman After God's Own Heart 