Hi, my name is Azucena Ortiz, I am the Co-founder and Executive Co-Director of the Healing and Justice Center. I grew up in poverty, with housing insecurity, and experienced a lot of interpersonal violence and abuse in my home. As a young mom, I was determined not to repeat the same cycles and fought hard to uplift my children so they would not live the life I had growing up. Getting support from community organizations, which provided spaces for healing and connected me to resources, profoundly impacted my life. It's my passion to make such life-changing experiences accessible to others.

In my discussions with those close to my heart about the need for these spaces, the idea of co-founding the Healing and Justice Center was born. Our mission? To establish a sanctuary where healing, learning, and community intertwine. Focusing on healing and building healthy relationships can be challenging when fundamental needs, such as housing, are unmet. That's why part of our work involves advocating for, providing guidance to, and connecting individuals with vital resources to ensure their basic needs are met—setting a foundation where people can move beyond mere survival. Beyond meeting basic needs, we offer a variety of programs aimed at fostering personal and communal growth. These include parenting classes to support the development of nurturing and healthy family dynamics, and wellbeing programs like Self-attunement and embodied movement, designed to enhance personal awareness and physical well-being. This holistic approach lays the groundwork for the journey of healing and growth to begin or continue.

Your support is vital in making this possible, creating a space where healing and justice flourish together.

I thank you in advance for your support.