CFVC Celebrates the Lifting Latina Voices Initiative’s Fourth Graduacion de Promotoras
On Saturday, April 4th, Cherokee Family Violence Center (CFVC) and the Feminist Women’s Health Center (FWHC) held a graduation ceremony for 14 new graduates of its Lifting Latina Voices Initiative (LLVI) program.
The new promotoras and the LLVI program supporters
This cohort completed an eight month program focused on reproductive and sexual health issues that Latinas face. LLVI program director, Carmen Garcia, envisioned a program that was run by and for Latinas. She says that the partnership with CFVC has allowed the promotoras (health promoters), to reach victims of domestic violence in a way that empowers them to break the cycle of violence fully informed of their own strength and power as Latinas.
CFVC’s Executive Director, Meg Rogers, commented on the success of the program, proclaiming “The success of our graduates from this program has far exceeded our highest expectations [for the graduates].”The eight month program has allowed its graduates to become leaders in their communities and to be empowered agents in their own lives. Lifting Latina Voices is a program focused on education specific to Latinas, with the goal being self-sufficiency, empowerment, and a heightened understanding of what it is to be a Latina today.
Promotora Maria Martinez
One of the promotoras who spoke at the ceremony, Maria Martinez, says about her experience in the LLVI program, “Chicas! Parece difícil, parece imposible, pero no hay nada, ni nadie que pueda impedir el camino que tu decidiste, no hay nada que pueda apartarte de ese deseo de tu corazón, no hay nada que acabe con la fuerza de tu ilusión. Por eso tú! Tu puedes el sueño que tuviste ayer, tu puedes ser la estrella que brillando ves, tu puedes ser ; lucha por tu sueños, por tus anhelos, nunca te des por vencida, lo que quieras ser lo decides y lo haces tú. Tu eres esa mujer que te dé la gana de ser, tú te quieres, te amas, como nadie más te ha amado, tu eres esa mujer valiente, ya deja todo lo vivido atrás, hoy es tu día, mañana será tu día y todos los días de tu vida serán tuyos, eres una mujer fortalecida, nadie puede hacerte daño, porque tú y solo tú haces lo que tú quieres ser.”
This ceremony was a united effort between CFVC and FWHC staff, and countless volunteers.
From L to R: CFVC’s Multicultural Case Managers Pilar Sarmiento, Vivian Keller, FWHC’s Executive Director Janelle Yamarick, CFVC’s Executive Director, Meg Rogers, and LLVI Program Director Carmen Garcia
For more information about the Lifting Latina Voices Initiative Program, or any other programs of the Feminist Women’s Health Center, visit www.feministcenter.org.