WHO WE ARE

 

Staff

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Erika Guadalupe Núñez (She/her), Executive Director


lupita@vamosjuntos.org


IG: @Monequiltia

Erika Guadalupe Núñez is a queer immigrant, artist, and cultural organizer currently serving as the Executive Director of JUNTOS. After emigrating from Mexico at a young age with her mother, Erika Guadalupe grew up sin papeles and eventually sin miedo which inspired her work as a community organizer for immigrant rights in both local and national campaigns since 2011.

Developed as an organizer by both JUNTOS and Mijente, Erika Guadalupe has dedicated the past decade of her life as an organizer fighting against the criminalization, detention, and deportation of her community. She believes that a world without cages - in all of its forms - is possible. As the former resident artist of JUNTOS, Erika Guadalupe's public work centered around creating art for rallies and cultural celebrations with members of her community, to both highlight issues of inequality as they pertain to the immigrant rights movement and preserve traditions for future generations. 

Erika Guadalupe is a member of Mijente’s Leadership Circle and has been recognized for both her cultural work and community organizing via various awards and fellowships: GALAEI’s David Acosta Revolutionary Leadership Award in 2015, the Leeway Art & Change Grant in 2015 and 2017, and the Leeway Transformation Award in 2017.  Recent fellowships have included the Knight Foundation’s Emerging City Champions Fellowship and the Advocacy Leadership Institute with the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures (NALAC). 

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Daisy Romero Chavarria (she/her), Community Organizer

daisy@vamosjuntos.org

Daisy (she/her) is a community organizer, advocate and activist in the immigrant community. She was born and raised in Torreón, Coahuila, México until she and her family migrated to San Antonio, Texas in 2003. Daisy's organizing started on her college campus with fellow undocumented peers. It was then and through her volunteering with el Centro de Cultura, Arte, Trabajo y Educación (CCATE), that she affirmed her commitment to working in and with disenfranchised communities.Daisy currently resides in Norristown, PA with her partner. In her free time she enjoys cooking, dancing and spending time with family and friends.

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Benjamin Gamarra (he/they), Resource Organizer

benjamin@vamosjuntos.org

(215) 218-9079 EXT. 2


”I love Philadelphia. I have been living in Philadelphia for over twenty years and most of those years I have been providing direct service to many Philadelphia neighbors and migrants from diverse and fascinating backgrounds. I am very grateful for being accepted to join the Juntos team, and I am looking forward to learning from each of you and to meeting and to serving you at my best. Thank you very much.”

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Guadalupe Mendez (she/her), Youth Organizer

guadalupe@vamosjuntos.org

(215) 218-9079 EXT. 3

Guadalupe Mendez was born and raised in South Philly, where her parents come to from Mexico. She majored in Political Science and minored in Philosophy and Latin American Studies. She has been able to lobby in Harrisburg and Washington DC, as well as participating in protests and vigils to push for a just immigration reform. Has worked work at the Aquinas Center Immigration Legal Services that allowed her to listen to the stories of people seeking for immigration benefits and provide assistance when needed. She has also been able to go to El Paso and work with Hope Border Institute where she was able to go to Master Calendar Hearing and Operation Streamline hearing. During her Senior year of college she was able to work with students from Latin America at Eisenhower in Norristown where she realized that wanted to help empower the youth. In her free time she loves to dance salsa and bachata.

Alana Adams (she/her), Operations and Development Coordinator


alana@vamosjuntos.org

Alana (she/her) was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, where her commitment to community engagement and social justice was instilled in her from a young age. At seventeen, she served as the Co-Chair of the Violets’ Giving Circle, where she worked to support the education of women and girls in her community. She then moved to Philadelphia to pursue a degree in Psychology and Latin American & Latinx Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. While completing her studies, she interned at both community organizations including Why Not Prosper and Juntos, and global organizations such as Ashoka, where she reaffirmed her passion for working with and uplifting marginalized communities. When she’s not working, you can often find her discovering new music, baking, and playing with her cats.

María de Los Ángeles Méndez (she/her)

Civic Defender/JUNTOS Podemos Coordinator

maria@vamosjuntos.org

Maria de los Angeles Mendez is a queer woman, youth activist, and daughter of immigrant parents. She was born and raised in South Philadelphia and her parents come from Puebla Mexico. Maria began her journey with Juntos the summer of 2020 during the uprisings after the murder of George Floyd. She started gaining interest in community work because of all the inequity, discrimination, and injustices she was witnessing. Maria joined JUNTOS as a youth member and volunteer, ultimately participating in the youth leadership program Fuerza, and completing terms as an Ambassador and Junior Organizer. Maria has also served as a youth program intern at Puentes de Salud, facilitator for Familia TQLM’s national convening, and is currently participating in a leadership cohort with Future Economy Lab. Maria is most excited to have the opportunity to get closer to her community, and discover new ways she can best support the struggles she notices in her city.

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AmaRa Montes (she/her), Resource & Engagement Assistant

amara@vamosjuntos.org

(215) 218-9079 EXT. 1

My name is AmaRa and I am very excited and grateful to be joining the Juntos staff. Over my last months of involvement as an intern I’ve enjoyed working with community members and hope to meet more once the office is fully operational. I'm originally from Southern California, and when my family and I moved here five years ago I strongly missed the Latinx community that is so easily accessible in California. South Philadelphia's community has felt like a piece of my home. I greatly admire the work that Juntos does in the community and am very grateful for this opportunity to continue providing support.

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Ashley Tellez (she/her), Junior Organizer

Ashley@vamosjuntos.org

My name is Ashley Tellez, i am a sophomore at Franklin Learning Center and a Junior Organizer here at juntos. I’ve been involved in organization work at Juntos for 3 years. My parents are both from Mexico City but I am born and raised in South Philadelphia. I love being apart of juntos and being able to have a impact in my community.

 

Introducing Our Summer 2022 Interns

Introducing Our Summer 2022 Interns


 

Argelia Mejia-Cuba (she/her), Youth Programming Intern

argelia@vamosjuntos.org

I was born and raised in South Philadelphia! I’m currently studying Psychology and Education at Temple University! I will be a senior starting in the fall! I decided to intern at Juntos because they are one of the most passionate organizations in Philadelphia that are dedicated to helping the Latinx community. Growing up, I have heard many different stories about how Juntos has helped different people around the city, and now, I want to be able to help others as much as I can! In the future, I want to help the Latinx community by bringing awareness to mental health and any other issues they may experience. Juntos is a great way for me to start getting experience to make a difference! Some of my hobbies include going on walks with my dog, readings different sorts of books, and cleaning to destress!

Hopetanya Kongal (she/her/), Media Intern

hopetanya@vamosjuntos.org

I am from Bridgeport, Connecticut. I’m studying Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania. Coming from an immigrant background, I have always been inspired by the bravery and devotion of those who have left their homes to achieve a brighter future. That being said, my goal is to utilize the opportunities that I have been given to play a role in making these futures possible. Therefore, with my time at Juntos I am excited to be surrounded by a vibrant community devoted to making this country a welcoming home for all people! In my free time I love creating art, watching shows, listening to music, and exploring Philly!

Lenore Ramos Juarez (she/they), Community Organizing Intern

lenore@vamosjuntos.org

I’m from Tabasco, Mexico/ Siler City, NC. I’m at Guilford College in Greensboro, NC majoring in Community and Justice Studies and minoring in Latin American Studies. I’m working at Juntos because I’m passionate about liberation, community work, and activism. It’s important for me to be a resource to my people in any way that they may need me to be. I’ve come to Juntos to learn more about how to do that. My hobbies are reading, music, and streaming my favorite shows.

Mauricio Perez Garcia (he/him), Youth Programming Intern

mauricio@vamosjuntos.org

I was born in Guanajuato Mexico but grew up in Dallas Texas. I study political science and Spanish and have a focus on public and service policy. The reason I'm here is to advocate for Latino immigrants, particularly young undocumented and DACA recipients. As an immigrant with DACA, I want to learn the different ways I can support my community, learn more about my culture and identity. In my free time I enjoy going for a run in the parks, eating junk food, and reading autobiographies about Latines chingones. And petting my very chubby kitty. :)

 

Rafael Alvarez (he/him), Operations Intern

rafael@vamosjuntos.org

I am from Riverside, California. I am studying Public Health and Biology at the University of Pennsylvania. I wanted to work for Juntos because I wanted to give back to the Latinx community, specifically the Philadelphia Latinx community. I've been given the opportunity to complete my undergraduate degree in Philadelphia, and working for Juntos allows me to show my appreciation and respect for this city. In my free time I enjoy playing board games, doing puzzles, and watching Netflix with friends. Sometimes I also like reading, knitting, and painting.

Board

Denisse Agurto – is a community leader in the Norristown committee and has been involved with Juntos as a leader since our first campaign there to stop racial profiling at license checkpoints. She is a case manager when not organizing. Her family is from Peru and she has been in the US for over 10 years. She joined the board in 2014.

Kasey Thompson – Treasurer – Kasey Thompson is a consultant and social entrepreneur dedicated to improving opportunity and equity for vulnerable youth. She has worked alongside immigrant communities throughout her career – from research and microcredit support in Quito, Ecuador, to building the capacity of neighborhood organizations in Eastern North and Southeast Philadelphia, to grantmaking in the region. Kasey works with groups to design new initiatives, secure resources, communicate powerfully, and sustain high quality programs that effect positive social change. She holds a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management and is certified as a Trauma-Competent Professional by Lakeside Global Institute. Kasey joined the Board of Juntos in 2018 and currently serves as Treasurer.

Fran Cortes – Secretary – Is the the Interim Executive Director of GALAEI, a Latino LGBTQ rights organization in Philadelphia. He was born in Mexico, immigrated as a child and was raised right outside of Philadelphia in Kennett Square, where his parents are agricultural workers. He graduated from Temple University and joined the board in 2016.

Frances Kreimer – Frances Kreimer is the clinical teaching fellow at Villanova University Law School’s Clinic for Asylum, Refugee and Emigrant Services.  Frances was born in Philadelphia, and previously served as the co-director of the Deportation Defense and Legal Advocacy Program at Dolores Street Community Services in San Francisco. Frances joined the board after returning to Philadelphia in 2019.

Emiliano Rodriguez – President – Is a regional director of the union Unite Here! He is originally from El Paso, TX, is Chicano, and has been doing work on labor issues and immigration reform for over 10 years.  He joined the board in 2013.

Jennifer Harford Vargas – Jennifer Harford Vargas is an Associate Professor of English at Bryn Mawr College. Her teaching and research focuses on narratives of undocumented migration and  representations of dictatorship in literature and popular culture. Her family is from Colombia. She joined the board in 2018.