Israel Alvarado

He|Him|El

Israel was born in Boulder, Colorado and has been a part of this community ever since. He graduated from the University of Metro Denver with her Bachelor's Degree in Human Services. Working with, empowering and supporting young people is one of his great passions, which is why his work at AMISTAD is so important to him, in this way he can support youth in addition to working with families. He likes being part of the AMISTAD team because he is part of a team of passionate people who work for their community. In his free time you can find him playing sports, at the gym and being a DJ.

Maya Sol Dansie

Founder & Director ACJ

She|Her|Ella|La

Maya Sol, a Mexica-Xicana activist, dancer, educator, therapist, & Licensed Clinical Social Worker, focuses on raising awareness, political consciousness, and empowering her community. As a first-generation mujer in the U.S., she enhances culturally grounded mental health access. Graduating from DU, she is deeply engaged in family community organizing at AMISTAD & as the founder of the Annual Cumbre de Jóvenes. Establishing Mayamotion Healing, she offers interactive culturally grounded approaches addressing mental health, social justice, and community issues. Grateful to her support network, she balances activism with self-care and community involvement, prioritizing her own healing journey alongside her love for family and community.

Amanda Chavarria

She|Her|Ella

Amanda was born and raised in Southern California in the Inland Empire. She has lived in big cities, San Francisco and New York City, with finally settling back in her home state. She is multicultural and identifies with all her cultures encompassing Mexicana, Tewa, and Filipina. She is a proud daughter, granddaughter, auntie, and sister.  She is proud to be a part of AMISTAD and it has ignited a passion to learn more and understand her own cultural identity. With her background in both graphic design and project management, she is an all around support to the AMISTAD team.

Josie Valadez Fraire

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Was born in Boulder, territory of the native nations Tséstho’e (Cheyenne), hinono’eino' biito’owu' (Arapaho), Očhéthi Šakówiŋ, Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute), Comanche, and many more. Her family is from Zacatecas, México. She studied Psychology, Education, and Ethnic Studies at the University of Colorado Boulder. Currently, she works at Centro Amistad with the intention of supporting migrant and Spanish-speaking communities in fostering emotional and spiritual wellness. 

In her free time she loves to play with her child, cook ancestral food, sow seeds and work with medicinal plants, go on hikes, and enjoy her loved ones.

Wendy Chairez

She|Her|Ella|La

Wendy, a bilingual, bi-literate, native Spanish speaker born in Ciudad Juarez Chihuahua and raised in Colorado, has a passion for Early Childhood Education, dedicating six years to the field. She currently serves as a Bilingual Teacher at New Horizon’s Cooperative Pre-School, balancing her career with raising her two children. Wendy firmly believes in nurturing children with love and care to help them become their best selves. Since February 2020, she has been part of AMISTAD, where she has reconnected with her cultural roots and found a sense of belonging. In her free time, Wendy enjoys adventurous outings with her children Ana and Christian.

Los Jovenes

Everyone/Todes

La cumbre Juvenil fosters new generations of leaders who embody the spirit of their community, drawing from their rich cultural heritage to address the unique challenges faced by their peers. They provide a voice for marginalized groups, advocating for equity and inclusivity in all aspects of society. Through mentorship and community engagement, they empower others to overcome obstacles, pursue education, and achieve their dreams. By embracing their identity and leveraging their talents, they inspire unity and resilience, fostering a sense of belonging and pride within their community. We invite all jovenes to be a part of our team.