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STAFF PROMOTOR@S

 

 

Belinda García, M.S.W., C.A.C. III
Founder/Executive Director/Promotor@

 

Executive Director and Co-founder of Sisters of Color United for Education Belinda Garcia, M.S.W., C.A.C. III, has 25 years experience in creating, developing and implementing ground-breaking human-service projects. In 1991, she established this nonprofit with the vision of advocating for health equity and improved quality of life predominantly for women of color, their families and their communities.

Belinda earned a Masters in Social Work (M.S.W.) from the University of Denver in 1994 and is a certified addictions counselor (C.A.C. III). She also teaches part-time at Metropolitan State College of Denver in the Chicana/o Studies Department, bringing cultural fluency to all students. In addition to her work with SISTERS, Belinda has extensive experience addressing the special needs of inner-city populations, developing health programs for women of color, and writing and publishing curriculum in reproductive health-education and rights.

Belinda has received many awards and much recognition for her far-reaching community involvement, including:

  • The Annual Hispanic Salute Award (April 2003)
  • The Women of Color Award for HIV/AIDS Prevention (November 2002)
  • The Cesar Chavez Leadership Award for Outstanding Leadership; Belinda was the first woman in Colorado to receive this award! (March 2002)
  • The AIDS Coalition for Education Award (December 2001)
  • 1997 Women of Color Conference on HIV/AIDS for “Exceptional Contribution to the Prevention of the Spread of HIV/AIDS” (November 1997)
  • Las Estrellas (Shining Star) Award for Latina Leadership (July 1995)
  • The Chicano Mental Health Institute Award – West Side Drug-Free Youth Team (May 1994)

 

 

Bernadette Berzoza
Co-Founder/Program Manager/Financial Manager/Promotor@

 

Bernadette Berzoza has been dedicated to community health education for 20 years. Co-founder of Sisters of Color United for Education, Bernadette serves as Financial Manager.

In 20 years, Bernadette has become an expert in HIV prevention and has implemented innovative community programs on the following topics:

  • Health concerns for women of color
  • Education in reproductive health and rights
  • Prevention of sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS, domestic violence and improvement of mental health
  • Leadership building
  • Promotion of advocacy skills and women’s empowerment
  • Youth development and empowerment

Bernadette remains active in the community. She is currently a board member for the People Living with AIDS Action Network , active with  the medical advisory committee with CDPHE STI /HIV section .She has been honored for her dedication to working with women living with HIV/AIDS.

Kathryn Harris

Team leader/Promotor@

Kathryn Harris, Team Leader, acts as a liaison and provides support to frontline and executive staff at SISTERS. She creates the quarterly newsletter; designs evaluation instruments that incorporate the stages of change and analyzes data for reporting to funders and the Board of Directors; supervises data entry staff and leads the Tech Team at SISTERS; assists in promotions and helps to coordinate special events. She has written two curricula currently in use at SISTERS and creates culturally resonant materials that serve to distribute health messages into the community.


Ms. Harris formerly worked in comprehensive sexuality health education for Latino youth during eight years in the FENIX Project of Mi Casa Resource Center for Women, Inc.  It was there that she gained exposure to sexuality health issues in the Latina community, and began her collaboration with Sisters, working with them under a grant from the CDC. She has written and taught a curriculum for women and girls that was nominated for a national award in Sexual Health Education by Girls Incorporated of Metro Denver, and has been delivered at several venues around the Denver area.

 

 

Adrienna Corrales
Lead Promotor@/Outreach Specialist/Marketing

 

Adrienna Corrales is a Project Coordinator and Community Health Educator for Sisters of Color United for Education. For 10 years, she has been involved in community education, awareness and mobilization around reproductive health, human rights, media justice, and art as social justice. As one of the lead trainers for SISTERS, Adrienna developed the comprehensive, bilingual curriculum used in SISTERS 18-week holistic health-awareness Promotor@ training.

Currently, Adrienna is working as the creator and organizer of specialized educational programs. She is:

  • Program Coordinator for Colores Humanos/Art in Motion (a youth development and education program)
  • Author of a CDC funded project to adapt and tailor a DEBI intervention tailored for Xican@ women around HIV prevention.
  • Creator and Organizer of "HipHipOsiums" (intergenerational conferences and trainings with community artists, students, organizations and urban youth to promote cultural literacy and urban survival through Hip Hop).
  • Creator of "Despierta - Urban Survival Guide" which has nation distribution and publisher of SPEECHLESS! Urban Street Culture magazine.

 

 

Debora Berzoza
Promotor@/Outreach Specialist

 

Debora Berzoza has been a Community Health Educator for Sisters of Color United for Education for 11 years. She first became involved with SISTERS as a participant in the 18-week Promotor@ training program and later became a community trainer, holding health educational meetings once a week.

In addition to providing crucial support services to SISTERS, Debora has consistently trained in health issues, ultimately becoming an expert in the following health issues: harm reduction, prevention case management, helping children from addicted families, diabetes and hepatitis C. She now works full-time for SISTERS as an outreach specialist while continuing her service to the community.

 

 

Belem Gonzáles
Promotor@/Outreach Specialist

 

Since April 18, 2005, Belem has been working full-time for Sisters of Color United for Education as a Community Health Educator. However, she has five years volunteer experience with SISTERS, teaching the local community about health issues important to their lives. Belen is Sisters’ Spanish language instructor, conducting home health presentations, outreach, and promotor@ trainings in Spanish.

Belem completed her Masters education in Social Work in Mexico in Torreón, Coahuila. Belem has worked in social services in various Mexican institutions prior to joining SISTERS in Denver, Colorado:

  • The Mexican Social Security Hospital
  • Management of Training and Education
  • Federal Electoral Institute

 

Vangy Santistevan

Promotor@/Substance Abuse Counselor

Vangy Santistevan has been with Sisters since May 2005,  she has been active in the community since 1990 implementing HIV prevention and assisting with substance abuse alternatives.  Currently Vangy is the Program Manager and facilitator of  Corazon cura Corazon a group for women.  The group focus is trauma and addictions addressed together, healing is the goal.  She also works with persons HIV infected and affected and deal with substance abuse, Vangy is a certified substance abuse counselor with commitment and passion for working with hurting women to go to the next stage of their journey.

Rhonda Dern

Registered Nurse

Rhonda Dern is our registrered nurse at Sisters of Color.  She has a background in Labor and Delivery, Home health & hospice nursing.  She is currently running toenail clinics and will be focusing on monthly wellness clinics in 2009

Board of Directors