During the course of her service work in the nonprofit sector, Claudia Espinosa became more aware of the inequalities that marginalized populations, such as immigrants and women, faced every day in the United States and around the world. Her dedication to serve can be demonstrated through her work at the Latina Institute, Communilife, Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC, and UN Women. Her work with the Latina Institute and her vocation with Latina adolescents, helped her understand the disadvantages that her community experiences everyday and gave her the opportunity to create changes that can help Latino families live more positive lives.

In 2012, Ms. Espinosa founded the L.O.V.E. Mentoring Program, inspired by her experience working for a suicide prevention program where she counseled Latina adolescents with depression and suicidal ideations. After witnessing first-hand the overwhelming difficulties that inflict young Latinas, she was prompted to further investigate the particular challenges within the Latina community. Upon discovering the many studies that reveal staggering discrepancies between the rates of suicide, teen pregnancy, and high school dropouts for young Latinas and their peers, Ms. Espinosa recognized a clear and distinct need for the development of enhanced support systems—such as those that may be provided through building a close relationship with a positive role model.

Ms. Espinosa currently serves as the Executive Director of the L.O.V.E. Mentoring Program. In 2010, she received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Forensic Psychology with Magna Cum Laude honors from CUNY. In May 2013, she received her second Master’s degree in Public Administration from the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at NYU. She also completed the Professional Development Program, Managing Yourself and Leading Others, from the Harvard Division of Continuing Education in August of 2013. As a self-made professional Latina, she wants to show young Latinas that with determination, passion, and faith in ourselves, anything is possible.

What you'll learn

The biggest issues Latinas face in the USWhat inspired Claudia to start the LOVE mentoring programWhy the highest rate of suicide attempts in NYC is among LatinasClaudia's dream and her journeyThe huge importance of exposing young Latinas to mentors that show them that success is possible.How LOVE Mentoring is changing young Latinas livesThe importance of believing that your dream is possible

Resources & Links

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