History

From the beginning, our work has been guided by a commitment to creating hope in places where hope has too often been absent. Early in life, we learned how deeply human outcomes are shaped by the systems that surround us and how profoundly those systems can either protect or fail the people within them.

We lost our oldest sister, Angelica, while we were all still children. At just 20 years old, Angie lost her life after surviving years of domestic and intimate partner violence. In her short time, she achieved remarkable milestones: she earned a college degree in Sociology and became the loving mother of two incredible boys.

Angie’s successes were made possible through the support of mentors, a dedicated social worker, friends, and family who believed in her. Her loss, however, reflected broader systemic gaps—limited understanding, insufficient awareness, and a lack of comprehensive education surrounding domestic and intimate partner violence. Angie believed deeply in being the change she needed in the world. As her younger sisters, we carried that vision forward, vowing to honor her life through action and service.

Collectively, we pursued education in service of that promise, earning degrees in Criminal Justice and Psychology, a Master’s degree in Forensic Psychology, and a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology. This academic journey was never about credentials alone—it was about building the knowledge and tools necessary to support meaningful, ethical, and sustainable change.

Our work is dedicated to supporting those who walk alongside the most vulnerable individuals within the most vulnerable systems. Across schools, government agencies, and community-based organizations, we focus on fostering care, community, and connection through education, awareness, and the honoring of lived experience. We also recognize that the professionals who carry society through its most difficult moments—first responders, educators, mental health professionals, and community leaders—are too often expected to do so without adequate recovery, support, or space for self-care. This reality contributes to burnout, compassion fatigue, and long-term health consequences among those driven by purpose and passion.

What we know now is that this harm is not inevitable. It is manageable and often preventable when professional development prioritizes well-being—through restorative practices, an informed understanding of psychosomatic responses, and deeper education about the communities and individuals being served.

As we continue to strengthen systems of care for all the Angies—and for those who support them—we remain grounded in a simple but powerful reminder: to be the person your younger self needed once upon a time.