WHO WE ARE
Un Nuevo Despertar, or "A New Awakening" in English, is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization that is located in the heart of Little Village, or South Lawndale. Our bilingual, certified staff support women, men and LGBT domestic violence survivors in
a) breaking abusive life cycles,
b) achieving safety, stability and self-sufficiency, and
c) improving their mental, emotional and financial health,
so that they can integrate into the community with a better quality of life.
Our mission is to assist every survivor of domestic violence through bilingual intervention and prevention programs, advocacy, counseling, training and education. By comprehensively addressing the emotional, physical, financial and employment needs of survivors, we can improve their quality of life and build healthy families and communities.
Our vision is to be a model organization that works to create a community free of violence, with healthy, empowered and strong families.
a) breaking abusive life cycles,
b) achieving safety, stability and self-sufficiency, and
c) improving their mental, emotional and financial health,
so that they can integrate into the community with a better quality of life.
Our mission is to assist every survivor of domestic violence through bilingual intervention and prevention programs, advocacy, counseling, training and education. By comprehensively addressing the emotional, physical, financial and employment needs of survivors, we can improve their quality of life and build healthy families and communities.
Our vision is to be a model organization that works to create a community free of violence, with healthy, empowered and strong families.
OUR LEADERSHIP
MARIA RUIZ EXCECUTIVE DIRECTOR |
Maria Ruiz is President and Founder of a Un Nuevo Despertar - A New Awakening, a non-profit organization located in Little Village that assists survivors of domestic violence through intervention, prevention, counseling programs, training and education.
Her passion for helping people experiencing violence stems from experiencing and surviving a violent relationship herself. In order to survive, she was encouraged to receive therapy and the agency that assisted her, saw her potential and offered her a job. Maria then received training and obtained multiple certifications that opened many doors, such as working for different organizations like Mujeres Latinas en Acción and Rainbow House, until finally she decided that she wants to reach and benefit more people so she must fund her own non-profit organization. |
Today, with more than 30 years of experience, with impact and influence on the lives of thousands of people, Maria press on towards the goals and challenges that life presents, with the confidence of knowing that she is making a difference, saving lives, empowering people and helping her community to be composed by healthy families that live without violence.