The ripple effect

I always let people be my guide. The model I’ve developed for my work in El Salvador resembles a three-legged stool: our institution, the community and international partners, working together to create meaningful change. If one leg isn’t working, the stool will fall.

Originally from Cleveland, I learned about the injustices in El Salvador during my freshman year at UD. My photography professor, Tony Heriza, asked if we wanted to have class or watch a film on El Salvador. We chose the latter, and I was shocked to learn of the atrocities in their ongoing civil war. The film then led to a meeting, which led to attending a protest on campus during finals week my freshman year.

I changed my major from business to history and became very passionate about El Salvadoran rights. After graduation, I worked full time for an El Salvador solidarity organization.

Upon the conclusion of the 12-year Salvadoran civil war, I co-founded Centro de Intercambio y Solidaridad (the Center of Exchange and Solidarity) to accompany the Chapultepec Peace Accords and defend human rights. I said I would come for two years — I’ve now been here for 31.

We build relationships of mutual respect for human rights. This follows the vision of Archbishop Oscar Romero, who was assassinated in El Salvador in 1980, the same year I started UD.

UD’s values of social economic justice and Christian philosophy helped get me where I am today and put practice into action.

Some people in areas impacted by the war think their only option is to leave for the United States, while others think they have no choice but to join gangs. We’re trying to build a third alternative: access to education and leadership development within these marginalized communities.

My organization offers programs for young people with scarce economic resources to go to high school and university, empowers women and their economic enterprises, facilitates Spanish and English classes and promotes clean water and the environment.

Unfortunately, we’re going back to a situation of human rights abuses, so our work is as important now, more than ever. We’ve seen political pushback on our mission, and I’ve even received threats to my safety.

With every challenge I face, my perspective on service and justice deepens. It’s necessary to go beyond simple charity to solidarity — to instead focus on transformation and working together.

Service is what gives meaning to life. I invite UD students to come to El Salvador to get involved with the community and volunteer. UD’s values of social economic justice and Christian philosophy helped get me where I am today and put practice into action. The people in these communities bring me life. It’s a privilege to be able to do this.

A version of this article appears in print in the Summer 2025 University of Dayton Magazine, Page 56. EXPLORE THE ISSUE — MORE ONLINE