About Us
About Translatinx Network
Translatinx Network has both a local and national focus, with a mission to promote the healthy development of trans people through the delivery of a wide range of information and services. Through promotion, outreach in education, and capacity-building, we encourage and strengthen the creation of safe and productive environments for TGNC+ community members.
How Our Story Began
The driving force behind Translatinx Network is our transfeminist peers and colleagues. Our initiative was born out of their collective efforts fighting for Translatinx rights in New York. As community members and providers, we continue to lead the way while remembering: “This is our story, our fight, our identity as Translatina women '' – we are a strong team, and we deliver strong results! We are an exceptional team providing everything you need to stay informed and actively engaged with your community.
Leadership Team
Cristina Herrera, CEO & Founder
She/Her/Hers
Cristina founded Translatina Network in 2007, in order to organize and empower the transgender immigrant community through leadership development and education. Cristina was formerly the Transgender Programs Coordinator at the Lesbian, Gay Bisexual & Transgender Community Center (The Center), where she worked in various roles for eleven years. In her final role there prior to moving into a full-time staff leadership at TN, she oversaw the development of workforce development programming specifically designed to meet the needs of the TGNC community. A leader in the field of TGNC services, HIV prevention, advocacy and community organizing for 18 years, Cristina she has served on countless panels, committees and boards, and has been presented with awards and recognitions by NYC DOH, AIDS Institute, New York City Council, the Queens Borough President, and many organizations.
cristina@translatinanetwork.org
917-415-4116
Simon Chartrand, Workforce Development Manager
He/Him/His
Simon is a Workforce Development Coordinator at Translatinx Network. His interests include serving transgender and immigrant communities. He participated in the TGNCNB Leadership Collective, where he learned how to organize within trans, gender nonconforming, and nonbinary organizations. He helped develop trans-focused events and co-facilitated a transgender support group in Queens. He previously taught French language courses at CUNY Hunter and Baruch, where he discovered his passion as an educator and activist. In his free time, he likes to take his puppy to the dog park.
(929) 533-8653
Meilene Belmont, Associate Director of HIV Services and Prevention.
She/Her/Hers
Meilene is the Associate Director of HIV Services and Prevention at Translatinx Network (TN). She directs health programming and supervises TN staff. Meilene's enhanced capacity on HIV Prevention and community social work has given her the chance to work directly with Transgender Gender Non-Conforming, Non-Binary (TGNCNB) individuals with referral and linkage to medical care. Originally from Mexico, Meilene came to the United States when she was 14 years old. Meilene’s participation in TN’s TGNC Leadership Space program in 2016 enhanced different soft skills, elevated her resume, and provided the foundational expertise in HIV prevention, contributing to her being hired on the TN team.
meilene@translatinanetwork.org
(929) 391-7411
Coordinators
Nicole Teyuca, HIV Services Senior Program Coordinator
She/Her/Hers
Nicole provides community outreach and co-facilitates support and leadership programming. Originally from Mexico, Nicole came to New York when she was 16, she is a passionate activism: she advocates for the immigrant community to get access to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment and mental healthcare. She began her career in advocacy at 17, volunteering at Spanish community organizations, doing outreach and participating in forums representing the transgender community. During the era of Stop and Frisk, she was arrested several times just for walking in the streets, and responded by volunteering at community organizations that were eventually able to end the discriminatory policy. Nicole enjoys being an advocate and speaks publicly on issues concerning the LGBTQ Spanish-speaking immigrant community.
(929) 413-2717
Sin Jones, TGNC Services Coordinator
They/Them
Sin is an educator, writer and community builder originally from Brooklyn, New York. They have worked extensively in programming, arts education and tech. As a queer person with multiple intersections they have always fought for the rights of BIPOC, queer and trans communities to exist and thrive. They believe community is the foundation for any activism and fostering community is one of their biggest passions. As a New York native they are honored to be serving members of their community right here in NYC, through their work with Translatinx Network. In their free time they enjoy reading, writing poetry and practicing meditation and mindfulness.
(929)-635-9412
Avery Hernandez, PAWH Coordinator
He/Him/His
Avery is a native New Yorker fluent in Spanish and English equally. Before joining The Translatinx Network team, he spent 5 years working with immigrant families and people of marginalized groups living in Brownsville and the South Bronx. Avery's responsibility in his previous work was to help families access services within the organization to better the overall living situation. Avery was fortunate enough when getting his undergraduate degree in Psychology at Hunter College to attend and present at conferences under the guidance of Dr. Patricia Broderick at City Colleges Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Engineering Program. Avery's main activities are to do exercise and travel.
David J. Franco, Senior Coordinator of Community Health Services
He/Him/His
My name is David Franco, and I’m from El Salvador. I moved from my native country due to the homophobia that we have to endure; due to lack of sensitivity of Homophobic people, I suffered a lot of abuse due to my sexual orientation, from strangers and family alike. Thanks to a transgender woman who helped me connect to Translatinx Network, I have graduated from our Outreach Education Program, which is a peer education training program at TN, and now I feel more confident. I have learned that nothing is impossible if one sets out to achieve it, to love myself no matter what they say about me, and to do what my heart dictates in order to help others who are going through the same thing.
david.j@translatinanetwork.org
(929) 842-3999
Ms. Leonard Tyndall, Community Enrichment Coordinator
She/Her/Hers
Ms. Leonard Tyndall, is originally from Guyana, South America. She was recently certified as a Peer Worker with the NYS Department of Health Aids Institute, and she is a proud graduate of the ARRIVE program at Exponents and the Advanced Leadership Space Program at Translatinx Network. Ms. Leonard is a HIV/Aids counseling and tester, she recently worked for Bright Point Health as a Peer Outreach Specialist and now as the Community Enrichment Coordinator at Translatinx Network's. As a Trans Activist, Ms. Leonard would like to advocate and support the black LGBTQ+ community and end transphobia.
leonard@translatinanetwork.org
(929) 633-4261
Advisors
Christine Perez, Senior Educator for Health and Telehealth Programming
She/Her/Hers
Christine leads community outreach in Jackson Heights, where she distributes information on HIV testing, PrEP/PEP, medical services, and other resources. She also facilitates leadership development programming at our monthly group in Brooklyn and a weekly group in Queens.
Originally from El Salvador, Christine has lived in New York for 18 years and began her transition in 2001. As a fierce community advocate, she is passionate about speaking publicly on issues affecting the LGBTQ immigrant community, striving to raise awareness and promote positive change.
christine@translatinanetwork.org
(929) 413-9817
Victoria Orellana, Peer Health Advisor
She/Her/Hers
Vanessa Mendez, Peer Health Advisor
She/Her/Hers
Vanessa is a trans woman born and raised in Lima, Peru. In 2019, she came to the United States seeking opportunities for growth and empowerment. At Translatinx Network, she participated in several training sessions that helped her acquire skills and increase access to employment opportunities in New York City.
Vanessa’s contributions to improving outreach capacity enhanced connections with the LGBTQ immigrant community, allowing for the sharing of vital information about HIV and STI prevention, including PrEP and PEP. She believes that knowledge is power; the more you know, the better prepared you will be to face life's obstacles. Her goal is to continue advocating for the community, setting an example of resilience and empowerment.
Stephanie Nava, Peer Health Advisor
She/Her/Hers
Stephanie is a Venezuelan journalist and a passionate advocate for the rights of vulnerable communities. Since her arrival in the United States, she has volunteered with community organizations such as the Saint Jerome HANDS Community Center in the Bronx and the Oasis Community Center/Latino Commission on AIDS.
At Translatinx Network, she works as a Peer Health Advisor, where she aims to improve the quality of life for the community by facilitating access to healthcare services and resources.
Adriana Ortiz, Peer Health Advisor
They/Them/Theirs
Adriana was born in Peru and came to the United States in 2019. They began their transition in 2003 and worked as a hair colorist in Peru. Throughout their life, They has supported many young trans individuals, advising them on their transition processes as well as social and family development.
Adriana is deeply committed to freedom, love, and the creation of chosen families. They believes that living authentically provides visibility and helps destigmatize the experiences of our community for future generations. Passionate about community outreach, They shares vital information with Their community and actively listens to their needs.
adriana@translatinanetwork.org
(917) 415-5076
Cynthia Gonzalez, Peer Health Advisor
She/Her/Hers
Rafael Romero, Peer Health Advisor
He/Him/His
Rafael is originally from Venezuela and arrived in New York in 2015. After exploring various work areas, he had the opportunity to volunteer at Betances Health Center, where he began his career in HIV testing. Shortly thereafter, he joined CAMBA, where he worked for over five years and developed strong bonds with individuals living with HIV, as well as with members of the immigrant LGBTQ+ community to which he belongs.
With a foundation of respect and empathy, Rafael managed cases and improved the quality of life for his clients by connecting them with essential resources offered by the city. He is committed to continuing his advocacy and support for marginalized communities.
Support Staff
Andrea Garcia, Administrative Assistant for HIV Services and Prevention
She/Her/Hers
Andrea is the Administrative Assistant for HIV Services at Translatinx Network. Originally from Colombia, Andrea used to work at “La Casa de La Mujer” which is an organization that helps women who are victims of domestic violence. In 2019, Andrea came to the United States in order to find new opportunities. As an immigrant, she continues to improve the English language. Andrea can relate to the many needs that our community faces since she has experienced many hardships. Andrea looks forward to sharing her experience of resilience and knowledge to empower others in the LGBTQ+ community. One of Andrea's favorite activities is to travel around the world.
Angel Nieves, Consultant
He/Him/His
Angel is a native New Yorker of Puerto Rican descent who believes that people working toward their goals or improving their lives should be able to do so without the constraints of marginalization, or forced into a place of vulnerability. He seeks to add his contribution to empowering others and changing mindsets. Angel holds a degree in Communications Design from Pratt Institute, and a Teaching English as a Second Language certification from The TEFL Academy (TTA). He brings nearly forty years of advertising, marketing, and business acumen to Translatinx Network, and supports the organization’s efforts in his role as an administrative consultant.
Elena Waldman, Administration Manager
They/Them/Theirs
Elena Waldman has been fighting the binary since 1964. Born and raised in Queens, their personal, professional, and academic life has been dedicated to dismantling systems of oppression and violence. Elena is also a well-known self defense and Karate instructor, and has collaborated with a diverse spectrum of organizations, from local PTOs to the annual Trans Wellness Conference, from South Asian advocacy groups in Queens, to harm reduction centers in Philadelphia.
Interns
Alpha Shrestha
She/Her/Hers
Alpha originates from Nepal and is currently a graduate student in Social Work at NYU. She is interning at Translatinx Network, where her pursuit of social work is driven by a desire to engage with the community and serve as a valuable resource for individuals seeking assistance.
Alpha chose to join Translatinx Network to deepen her understanding of the Trans community and gain insights into their experiences and challenges. Through this opportunity, she aims to develop her skills and make a meaningful impact in the lives of those she serves.
Alexis Snodgrass
She/Her/Ella
" Hello everyone!
My name is Alexis (she/her) and I am from San Diego, CA currently earning a master’s degree in Social Work at NYU. I live to learn and am so grateful to be a part of Translatinx Network! "