​Founder of the Latino Social Work Coalition and Scholarship Fund, Inc. (2001). 

Founder of the Hopes for Families and Children Foundation” (1988). 

President and Executive Director of the Puerto Rican Family Institute, Inc. (1982-2014). 

She is known for her advocacy for the human rights of our Latino communities and her dedication to creating programs and services aimed at supporting families and children in the areas of prevention, treatment, mental health and hygiene, education, etc. In this capacity, she established the Institute to be one of the most prestigious human services agencies in New York and Puerto Rico.

Nydia decided to follow a television career and spent ten years working for the oldest Hispanic public television network in the country. There, she worked as a producer, writer, editor and talent development.
 

In her professional career, she gained profound knowledge of the socio-emotional experiences of migrant groups, such as Venezuelans, who are seeking asylum. She learned about their personal conflicts and traumas and the multiple barriers to a healthy adjustment to the society that provides them with shelter and refuge. Language, a different culture, fear of the unknown, and lack of economic resources, work, and housing are some factors that add to the trauma of resettlement. Her commitment to her community prompted her to be part of the solution. 

Well-known Venezuelan activist and tireless human rights defender. For the last 25 years, he has dedicated his professional efforts to the social welfare of his Venezuelan community in both New York and Venezuela. His passion is to promote specialized services for Venezuelans, as well as other immigrants, and the LGBT community.

Founder and Executive Director of the Venezuelan Alliance for Community Support Inc., which began to take root in 1998 with her efforts to provide immigration legal services to especially Venezuelan families who have recently arrived in New York City.

Based on the multiple needs of the families the Venezuelan Alliance serves, it expands food services and limited donations to prevent evictions from their homes. Its main focus has been to re-establish the emotional stability of Venezuelan immigrants suffering from the trauma unleashed by their sudden flight from their country in search of asylum. This intervention modality, which has been very successful with patients suffering from trauma, is used by other therapists trained by her.

Lorena holds a license in psychology from the Universidad Católica Andrés Bello and a Master’s Degree in Clinical and Health Psychology from the Instituto Superior de Estudios Psicológicos (ISEP-Spain). Her experience is in cognitive-behavioral therapy with children within the autism spectrum, attention deficit, and emotional, family, and school difficulties. She worked as a school psychologist at the Casa Grande School (Caracas) and INVEDIN (Venezuelan Institute of Child Development - Caracas). She facilitates the management of cases and groups in the Venezuelan Alliance for Community Support, Inc.

Carlos studied law at Loyola Law School in New Orleans, Louisiana, and like every foreigner, emigrating was one of the most challenging experiences of his life. Today, he serves as an immigration attorney and is honored by the enormous role he plays in every single person’s transition to the U.S. This responsibility makes him strive every day to represent every immigrant with the best legal advice and advice possible.