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 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
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, 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, 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 Translatinx Network. In their free time they enjoy reading, writing poetry and practicing meditation and mindfulness.
(929)-635-9412
Geraldine Monroy, Coordinator of TGNC Services
She/Her/Hers
Geraldine is a proud transgender women from Mexico, who decided to leave her country due to the culture of transphobia. In 2019 Geraldine arrived in the U.S. to live freely as a transgender women. Her objective in life is to continue growing and learning, she had the opportunity to obtain different certificates from different ORG's and now she was able to have the opportunity to be part of Translatinx Network as the TGNC Services Coordinator.
geraldine@translatinanetwork.org
(929) 842-4010
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 and testing 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
Avery Hernandez, Workforce Development 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 travel and exercise.
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
Adriana Ortiz, Peer Health Advisor
She/Her/Hers
Adriana, was born in Peru. She came to the United States in 2019. She began her transition in 2003. She worked as a hair colorist in Peru. She shared many years of her life with young transsexuals, advising them on their transition processes and social and family development. She is committed to freedom, love, life and the creation of chosen families. Our life is the best visibility and helps to destigmatize our community and future generations. She is passionate about community outreach where she shares information with her community and listens to their needs.
adriana@translatinanetwork.org
(917) 415-5076
Jusquifabio Nevis y Flores, Peer Health Advisor
He/Him/His
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.