For over a decade, I’ve been deeply committed to building bridges through culture, music, and community. In December 2010, I founded Solidaridad Colombiana en la Gran Montreal, a Facebook group that grew into a vibrant support network of over 28,000 newcomers to Québec. I organized meetups, resource-sharing events, and cultural initiatives for nearly 15 years before recently passing the group’s leadership to my co-administrator.

Since moving to Nova Scotia, I’ve continued this community-building work through Comunidad del South Shore, a growing group of over 3,000 members that I use to connect newcomers, coordinate local gatherings, and foster belonging across the region. In Bridgewater, I’m often seen as a connector — someone people reach out to when new families or individuals arrive — and I take pride in welcoming them personally.

As part of my commitment to improving people’s lives, I also run a Spanish Through Music program for English-speaking seniors in care homes and residences — a population often overlooked but deeply in need of connection, stimulation, and joy. Through original, easy-to-follow songs, I introduce basic Spanish vocabulary in a way that’s fun, gentle, and emotionally engaging. My goal is not just to teach, but to uplift, motivate, and offer meaningful moments of joy through rhythm and language.

Looking ahead, I plan to expand this work to community centers serving young families and children, creating opportunities for early exposure to Spanish through music, movement, and play. Whether through music, meetups, or one-on-one conversations, my mission is always the same: to create spaces where people feel seen, inspired, and at home — wherever they are in life.