I wrote this on November 6th, the day after the elections. Upon my return, I had much work to do for Midwest Mujeres. We (Midwest Mujeres) applied to become a 501c3; we had a ribbon-cutting event, we hosted two other events and lots of fall-winter concerts with my family, a new board appointment with Children's Theater of Madison, and I joined a state-wide Latina-led consulting group! Phew, that is a lot of activity!
Impact by Numbers:
3 Seasoned Consultants, experts in community development and empowerment
80+ Guatemalans received food and clothing in underserved areas.
10 individuals participated in ESL classes aimed at personal and professional development.
5 scholarships were awarded to local individuals for entrepreneurial educational opportunities.
1 year of sustained community-focused efforts for and by Divergent Community Professionals from marginalized communities. Our three-person group led a movement!
Countless connections were made, amplifying hope and opportunity across rural Guatemala.
Reflections!
As I prepare to return to the States tomorrow, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey we’ve had here in Guatemala. Over the past year, our efforts have grown from a small idea into a tangible impact on many lives. This week, we (Divergent for Community) served over 80 Guatemalans by distributing food and clothing to underserved areas and providing ESL Entrepreneurial educational classes for about 10 men and women focused on development and personal and professional growth.
Moments like these remind me how a small group of dedicated individuals can create meaningful change. A year ago, we started this work with consistent steps—monthly planning calls and setting up a payment plan for our participants.
In San Pedro Laguna, Guatemala, we offered scholarships to five local individuals to participate in entrepreneurial coaching. We partnered with a local NGO and helped nearly 80 people access clothing and essential food items. Today, we see how those seeds have blossomed into something far-reaching and transformative.
I’m incredibly grateful for Midwest Mujeres Inc., whose platform, social capital, and reach have enabled us to expand our community globally. As a Latina speaker and consultant, my experiences as a child of immigrants and a first-generation professional have shaped my approach to leadership. It’s humbling to share my knowledge of entrepreneurship and witness its power to uplift communities.
My Journey to becoming an international consultant
Becoming an international consultant has been a dream of mine for many years, and I’m thrilled to see it come to life in ways that honor the people we serve rather than seeking recognition for myself. I couldnot have done without our my fellow collegues Jesenia and Christen together we founded Divergent for Community.
This "cultural share and meeting of the minds and heart" was made possible after months of planning. We spent hundred of hours training ourselves in collborative team decisions, email marketing, community development and leadership development curriculum.
Thanks to a few financial supporters, we were able to multiply our impact, reaching both locals and gentle living in rural Guatemala.
This trip helped me by giving me tools to teach indigenous storytelling using weaving as a metaphor. Not only weaving of stories but also as a way of life and how we see each other and value our stories.
This retreat was a testament to what’s possible when we lead with purpose and collaboration.
While our efforts here have been incredibly rewarding, we also faced hurdles, such as limited resources, burnout within our small team, and inconsistent marketing. These challenges remind us of the importance of securing sustainable support and expanding our partnerships to ensure the longevity of our initiatives.
To everyone who has supported us—whether through financial contributions, encouragement, or simply believing in our mission—thank you!
Together, we’re proving that small actions, guided by humble servant leadership and respect for local communities, can lead to global impacts.
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