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
Meilene Belmont, Transgender Services Manager
She/Her/Hers
Meilene provides community outreach, and co-facilitates leadership and support group programming. Originally from Mexico, Meilene came to the United States when she was 14 years old. Back in 2016, Meilene was working as a hairstylist in Brooklyn, where she gained her amazing customer service skills. She began transitioning in 2012 and continues her journey to this day. 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 have assisted with the TGNC community with medical referrals and other services. Meilene enjoys spending quality time with family and friends.
meilene@translatinanetwork.org
(929) 391-7411
Coordinators
Simon Chartrand, Workforce Development Senior Coordinator
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
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
Sin Jones, Digital Health Literacy 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 Trans Latinx Network. In their free time they enjoy reading, writing poetry and practicing meditation and mindfulness.
Nicole Teyuca, Community Engagement Senior 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, where she started living her life as female a year later. Nicole is a passionate advocate, speaking openly about her experience in the days when there was no place for transgender girls to go to look for help or education, about hormones or any others issues that they were going through. She lived mostly in Spanish neighborhoods like Jackson Heights in Queens, where she and her transgender sisters struggled with discrimination and sexual and physical abuse on the street. Sex work was the main way to survive, since jobs and health education were extremely limited. Nicole’s experience navigating this environment led her to activism: she is particularly passionate about HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment and mental healthcare access, especially in undocumented communities. 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
Ms. Leonard Tyndall, Community Enrichment Coordinator
She/Her/Hers
My name is Ms. Leonard Tyndall, and I am originally Guyana, South America. I was recently trained as a Peer Worker with the NYS Department of Health Aids Institute, and I am a proud graduate of the ARRIVE program at Exponents and the Advanced Leadership Space Program at Translatinx Network.
My background is in HIV/Aids counseling and testing, and I am committed to taking a leadership role amongst my peers and community. I formerly worked as a Peer Outreach Specialist at Bright Point Health, formerly Hudson River, and it is an honor and privilege to now be a part of Translatinx Network's ever growing family.
I would like to give back to my community as a trans activist and an organizer for equality for all LGBTQ+ people, and to end Transphobia.
leonard@translatinanetwork.org
(929) 633-4261
Advisors
Christine Perez, Senior Educator for Health and Telehealth Programming
She/Her/Hers
Christine leads our community outreach in Jackson Heights where she distributes information on HIV Testing, PrEP/PEP, medical services and other community resources, in addition to facilitating leadership development programming at our monthly group in Brooklyn and weekly group in Queens. Originally from El Salvador, Christine has been living in New York for 18 years and began transitioning in 2001. She is a fierce community advocate and enjoys speaking publicly on issues concerning the LGBTQ immigrant community.
christine@translatinanetwork.org
(929) 413-9817
Geraldine Monroy, Peer Health Advisor
She/Her/Hers
I am a transgender woman originally from Mexico. Since I can remember I have always identified as a trans person, and I decided to leave my country due to the culture of transphobia that unfortunately still exists. I immigrated to the US in the winter of 2019 so that I can live according to my gender identity and achieve new goals as a transgender woman.
I am learning to adapt to this new stage of my life, always with the aim of continuing to grow and achieving new goals. I deeply appreciate the opportunities provided by Translatina Network since I arrived in the United States. I have achieved many certificates for different courses that I have taken in Translatinx Network, all related to the empowerment of the TGNC community.
My goals are to continue acquiring more knowledge around my community AND to continue my growth as a person with the vision of providing help to everyone who needs it. I want to demonstrate by example that it's never too late to achieve your dream.
geraldine@translatinanetwork.org
(929) 842-4010
Alma Arias, Peer Health Advisor
She/Her/Hers
Alma is a Peer Health Specialist at Translatinx Network. Born and raised in San Diego, CA, she came to New York City in 2014 where she began her transition in 2016. Since then, Alma has been on an upward journey to claim her gender and Latinx identity, while mobilizing and resisting alongside her community. It was in her hometown of San Diego where Alma also worked in the community of City Heights as a volunteer for Mid-City CAN in their Media Department and the International Rescue Committee as a mentor, guiding and getting refugees and undocumented immigrants equipped for their citizenship exams.
(929) 413-5115
Nani Inocentes, Peer Health Advisor
She/Her/Hers
Nani is a transgender woman from the Philippines, of Tagalog and Bisayan descent. She is a cultural worker, artist, and organizer for the Filipino youth + migrant community in Queens. She is currently studying indigenous Filipino medicine to connect with her community and her elders, and hopes to build stronger ties with other diasporas residing in NYC. On her days off, you can find her singing and playing guitar with her org, singing songs of democracy in her native tongue.
Leo Koulish, Peer Health Advisor
he/Him/They/Them
Leo Koulish is a Trans/Gender Non-Conforming Jewish Colombian artist, peer educator, and grassroots organizer from Baltimore City. They are currently pursing a BA at New York University Gallatin School of Individualized Study, concentrating on the intersections between art and identity to help heal cycles of community violence and oppression. Leo is a violence prevention activist and peace worker, and has worked with GoodKids MadCity and Baltimore Peace Movement. When he isn’t working, you can find him on an adventure with his camera around his neck or cuddled up with their two cats and a cup of tea in hand.
Support Staff
Andrea Garcia, Administrative Assistant for HIV Services
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.
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.
Consultant
Ammerly Hernandez, Community Ambassador
She/Her/Hers
Ammerly is a transgender woman originally from Peru. She came to the United States eighteen years ago in order to accomplish personal and professional goals, but most important to help people from the LGBTQ+ Community here in NYC. Ammerly gained an Associate Degree as a Medical Assistant back in 2014 and worked for a medical office where she gained the skills and experience to work with different people. She currently works as a Community Ambassador at Translatinx Network where she continues to grow professionally by helping the LGBTQ community. Fitness and nutrition are her passion.
Yvette Sierra-Vignau, Clinical Social Work Intern
They/Them
Yvette is a clinical social work intern and graduate student at NYU School of Social Work. Their goal is to provide an affirming and brave space for clients to explore their identities, navigate trauma, disrupt cycles of violence, and learn how to embrace healthy relationships.
As a queer and nonbinary person of the Mexican diaspora, Yvette draws on their personal experiences to provide a feminist, abolitionist, and intersectional lens that considers identity, positionality, and the struggles caused by systems of oppression. Their approach is warm, collaborative, and strengths-based, with an emphasis on empowerment, active resistance, and collective liberation.