Advocacy Cafe

Managing a Culturally Specific Organization

Description

DV Advocates report that survivors are more inclined to seek services from organizations that are familiar with their culture, language, and background and that there is no “one size fits all” approach to adequately address these critical needs. Culturally specific community-based organizations are more likely to understand the complex, multi-layered challenges and obstacles that victims from their communities face when attempting to access services. Culturally specific community-based organizations are also better equipped to form essential relationships and engage their communities in the creation and implementation of services relevant to the diverse and unique needs of the victims.

Faciliator

Sara Yvonne “Bonnie” Escobar, Enlace Comunitario Executive Director

Bonnie currently serves as Executive Director for Enlace Comunitario, where she has been since late 2020. Previously, Bonnie lived in El Paso, Texas where she served as Chief Development Office at El Pasoans Fighting Hunger, where she served for 2 years. However, Bonnie began her long commitment and passion for family violence advocacy at the Center Against Sexual and Family Violence, where she served as Director for Strategic Development for 13 years. She was formerly the Managing Partner for MJD & Associates providing management and organizational consulting services to private corporations, foundations, non-profit organizations and community leaders in the border region. Bonnie has also served as a Vice President at the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce and formerly as leadership director for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), a national non-profit organization that protects and promotes the civil rights of U.S. Latinos. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso with a B.S. in Criminal Justice and a Masters in Public Administration. Bonnie is a committed community activist who strives to put her ideas into action, working to advance women, Latinos, and fellow New Mexicans. An active community leader, she sat on the board of the El Paso Women’s Fund, Paso del Norte YWCA, the El Paso Symphony and El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She is eager to get involved in New Mexico social justice issues once the pandemic has subsided. Bonnie enjoys spending time with her family. She is an avid knitter, fan of jazz, rock and art, especially Frida Kahlo. She follows baseball, Formula 1 and tennis and loves to travel.