El Futuro
Cierra Cook currently serves as the TECS Project Manager for the La Mesita Program at El Futuro since February 2022. Prior to this role, Cierra held the position of Bilingual Outreach Facilitator for the More In My Basket program at North Carolina State University from June 2021 to February 2022, providing essential bilingual support in food assistance. Cierra's experience also includes teaching Freshman Composition at Central Michigan University and working as an International Culture and Language Assistant in the Community of Madrid, focusing on improving English language skills among primary school students. Cierra’s academic background includes a Master of Arts in English Language and Literature and a Bachelor’s Degree in International Business from Central Michigan University, along with a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish and International Business from Universitat d'Alacant. Additionally, Cierra gained valuable experience in guest relations at NH Hotel Group as an International Intern, facilitating communication for English-speaking clients in Spain.
El Futuro
El Futuro is a one-of-a-kind place where Spanish speaking immigrants can access culturally-sensitive mental health services. We are a community-based program, founded as a volunteer effort in 2001 to meet the otherwise unmet need for bilingual mental health services for the growing Latino immigrant community in North Carolina. Since forming as a nonprofit in 2004, and despite drastic reductions in public funding for community-based mental health care, El Futuro has grown to become North Carolina’s trusted resource for trauma-informed, culturally-sensitive mental health services. Our staff and agency have received numerous honors including the 2006 Mental Health Association in North Carolina Heroes in the Fight Award, 2007 North Carolina Latino Diamante Award, and 2007 Citizen Award from the Independent Weekly. El Futuro is also an AHEC Center for Excellence. Our most meaningful achievements, however, are when families grow stronger and get back to their dreams for the future that brought them to our community in the first place. We’re honored to know that our number one source of referrals is from friends and family of clients, reflecting the confianza (trust) we’ve built with Latino families over the years. Today, with clinics in both Durham and Siler City and a growing effort to improve the quality of mental health care for Latino families across the state through La Mesita (El Futuro’s Latino Mental Health Provider Network), our mission is to nurture stronger familias to live out their dreams. We hope you’ll join us in this important work.