Esperanza United
Cynthia J. Zapata is an experienced professional with a diverse background in community impact and program management. Currently serving as the Training and Technical Assistance Manager at Esperanza United since November 2021, Cynthia's previous roles include Community Impact Manager and Wenda Weekes Moore Intern at the Women's Foundation of Minnesota, along with positions as Administrative and Grants Assistant at the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council and Correspondence Coordinator in the Office of Governor Mark Dayton. Notably, during tenure at Centro Tyrone Guzman, Cynthia coordinated the Raices Youth Program and secured significant funding for initiatives aimed at empowering young Latina girls. Educational qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature/Letters and Race and Ethnic Studies from St. Olaf College and a Master of Arts in Creative Writing and Publishing from the University of St. Thomas.
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Esperanza United
Founded in 1982 as a women's shelter in St. Paul, Minnesota, Esperanza United has grown into the national institute on domestic violence in the Latin@ community. We provide training and consultations to practitioners and activists throughout the United States as well as in Latin America. ' We root our work in the St. Paul, Minnesota community, offering a range of critical services in Minnesota from enhancing safety for Latin@ survivors of gender-based violence to strengthening youth leadership. We ground everything we do in the lived realities, hopes, and dreams of Latin@ communities. Our public policy initiative engages in federal and state public policy advocacy efforts and our national research center conducts research on issues that affect Latin@s in the United States and abroad. Our organization seeks input from members to inform policy advocacy efforts on key legislation impacting Latin@ families experiencing domestic violence and gender based violence. From highlighting the need of immigration reform to ensure protections for immigrant survivors to documenting the health impact of violence, we encourage communities to share stories of human rights violations, discrimination, community concerns and successes that will be brought to policy makers to help shape our laws.