About
Our Mission
To collaborate with Peruvian communities to facilitate sustainable, healthy development and provide educational opportunities to empower children and families.
What We Do
We provide children and families with opportunities for social and academic enrichment, emphasizing respect for the people and land around them. Children thrive when they have a structure in place where they are nurtured and feel safe from physical and sexual abuse. Our Center for the Promotion of Child & Family Development is a social and educational project, in which we will develop skills and values through various outlets such as social development, cultural awareness, literacy proficiency, and mental health. We will improve the quality of life for children, families, and the society at large by offering tangible alternatives in order to advance their education through training, guidance, counseling, and support.
The Team
Our team members collaborate to make the organization as effective as possible.
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[picture_frame title=”Laura Miranda Acuna”]http://www.corazondedahlia.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Laura_ThumbSize004.jpg[/picture_frame]
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Laura Miranda Acuna, (Cusco, Peru)
Project Director
Laura is one of the most generous and loving people that you will ever meet. She is a retired teacher who has given her life to educating those in need. She has also worked as a Spanish language teacher in Cusco for Excel Language Institute. Laura named the organization, and has been actively at work on the various initiatives since its inception. Her dream has always been to do this type of work, and she is so happy that her dream is now a reality.
[icon_link style=”email” href=”mailto:viquilaura22@gmail.com”]viquilaura22@gmail.com[/icon_link]
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[picture_frame title=”Dahlia Rissman”]http://www.corazondedahlia.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/dahlia.jpg[/picture_frame]
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Dahlia Graham
Founder/Chair, Board of Directors (Woodstock, NY)
Dahlia is a Teach for America alumna with a Bachelor’s in Human Development from Binghamton University, and a Masters in Teaching from Pace University. After graduating from high school, she volunteered as an English teacher in Cusco, Peru, participating in International Cultural Adventures’ semester-long program. The experience was life-changing. In 2002, Dahlia completed several projects at the school where she had taught over the course of a couple years, including designing a mural on the exterior of the building, replacing broken lights and windows, and founding a library. An adobe storeroom was transformed into a bright room full of early readers, novels, magazines, encyclopedias, and other reference materials. In 2006, Dahlia learned of a boys’ home that was run by the Peruvian Police Force. Upon visiting and seeing the poor conditions, she raised funds to provide the boys with counseling services, environmental education, health education, social skills training, music, and dance. She learned that if she set her sights high, she could realize dreams that previously seemed out of reach. In 2010, Dahlia partnered with Laura Miranda Acuña of Cusco, Peru to open the Corazón de Dahlia Center for the Promotion of Child & Family Development, in the rural village of Saylla. Dahlia is currently the Director of Educational Programs for REACT to FILM, a New York-based nonprofit organization inspires young people to engage in the real issues of today through film.
[icon_link style=”email” href=”mailto:corazondedahlia@gmail.com”]corazondedahlia@gmail.com[/icon_link]
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[picture_frame title=”Susana”]http://www.corazondedahlia.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/sugomez_ThumbSize4.jpg[/picture_frame]
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Susana Gomez
Psychologist (Cusco, Peru)
Susana is a psychologist with a Masters in Research Psychology from the Catholic University of Peru. She has experience in counseling children and adolescents with emotional, behavioral, self-esteem and learning difficulties, and couple and family conflicts. Susana also uses works with building social skills, and providing stress and coping resources training. She provides training and workshops as a means of information and prevention. Currently, Susana provides services to Corazon de Dahlia professionally and personally feels fulfilled by the mission to raise the quality of life of children and adolescents by developing and implementing a comprehensive training.
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[picture_frame title=”Ruth”]http://www.corazondedahlia.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Ruth_ThumbSize.jpg[/picture_frame]
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Ruth Chihuantito Fernández
Teacher (Saylla, Peru)
Ruth graduated from Universidad Nacional de San Antonio Abad del Cusco and Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa Perú. She holds certification in Primary Education and Bilingual Intercultural Education. Ruth worked as a classroom teacher for many years and she also supervised a national program to boost literacy in Saylla, Peru. Ruth says, “In reality I work for the Civil Association, Corazon de Dahlia, because I feel happy to work with the children and to be part of a team that benefits the children of Saylla. It also brings me happiness to share experience where we all learn from one another. The clarity and sincerity that the children show is more and more apparent throughout different moments of each day.”
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[picture_frame title=”Alicia”]http://www.corazondedahlia.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Victoria_ThumbSize002.jpg[/picture_frame]
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Alicia Arredondo Flores
Teacher (Cusco, Peru)
Alicia graduated with a Bachelor’s in Education from the University San Antonio de Cusco, and is currently a Master’s candidate in Educational Psychology. Alicia is a private tutor for students in 1st-3rd grades. She is currently a teacher at Corazon de Dahlia’s Center, and enjoys providing a positive environment for the children of Saylla where instills many positive values. She is extremely happy to be part of the Corazon de Dahlia team.
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[picture_frame title=”Teresa”]http://www.corazondedahlia.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/teresa.jpg[/picture_frame]
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Teresa Nanci Palomino Buleje
Educational Consultant (Cusco, Peru)
My role as an educator has allowed me to guide, assist and monitor classroom teachers with regular basic education programs offered by the Ministry of Education since the 90’s, which I know have left the educational reality of Cusco, requiring personal commitments and professionals to make the changes and pedagogical proposals for crossing the Peruvian educational system. I now have the personal and professional satisfaction to be able to be join the team of Corazon de Dahlia, contributing my experience as a educator to offer the best educational services to children Saylla district.
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[picture_frame title=”Julia Santos Solomon”]http://www.corazondedahlia.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Julia_Santos_Solomon.jpg[/picture_frame]
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Julia Santos Solomon
Board of Directors (Woodstock, NY)
Julia Santos Solomon is an international artist and educator. As an artist, Julia’s work centers around the concepts of culture, identity, and empowering our voices and stories. She received her education at the Rhode Island School of Design and Brown University. Julia studied fine art throughout Europe, Northern Africa, South America and the Caribbean. As an advocate for cross-cultural communication, Julia is proud to be fluent in four languages. For the last thirty years, Julia has taught art and design. On the university level, Julia was a faculty member at Parsons School of Design and as one of the founding faculty members of Altos de Chavon School of Design in the Dominican Republic, an affiliate of Parsons. She has also enjoyed many years of teaching and mentoring young children and teenagers. Julia has always taken an interest in people in need, particularly children because they are the most vulnerable, and she can make a difference in their lives in a profound way. She has advocated for these children throughout their lives into adult hood. This work brings Julia tremendous joy.
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[picture_frame title=”Susannah Kricker”]http://www.corazondedahlia.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Susannah_Kricker.jpg[/picture_frame]
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Susannah Kricker
Board of Directors (Woodstock, NY)
Ever since getting involved with several on-campus activist organizations while at college, I have been interested in working with non-profit organizations dealing with issues of social justice and human rights. Corazon de Dahlia is a very new organization and I am excited about the unique challenges and learning opportunities that will come from watching and helping this organization develop and grow with the community is it serving. The work of Corazon de Dahlia is crucial and I would feel privileged to take part in the process of building the community center and creating a safe, nurturing space for the children of Cusco. My other motivation for volunteering with the organization is to continue practicing my Spanish and to be able to spend some time traveling in Peru.
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[picture_frame title=”Kerry Cook”]http://www.corazondedahlia.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Kerry_Cook.jpg[/picture_frame]
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Kerry Cook
Board of Directors, Communications Officer (Binghamton, NY)
Kerry earned her Bachelor’s degree in Spanish Language and Literature and her Master’s of Public Administration at Binghamton University in New York. In 2010, Kerry joined the work of Binghamton University as Community Engagement Coordinator in the newly developed Center for Civic Engagement where her efforts on behalf of BU’s internationalization were first realized. After meeting Dahlia, Kerry was inspired to submit a winning International Innovation Fund grant proposal in 2011 that initiated the partnership between Binghamton University and Corazón de Dahlia in Peru which has now grown into a study abroad program thanks to the hard work of CCPA faculty, CCE, OIP, and others. After visiting the center in Peru, Kerry was further inspired to join the board of Corazón de Dahlia. Currently, Kerry works as the Assistant Director for Study Abroad in the Office of International Programs at BU.
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[picture_frame title=”Karina Cabanillas”]http://www.corazondedahlia.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Karina_Cabanillas.jpg[/picture_frame]
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Board of Directors, Grants & Development Officer (New York, NY)
Advisory Board Member (Hopewell, NY)
Karina has extensive experience in the fields of child development and public health. As an Associate at Rabin Martin, a global health strategy firm in New York City, she focuses on facilitating partnerships between clients from multiple sectors, including foundations, non-profits, health care corporations, and government agencies. She provides counsel and implements innovative strategies for program development & evaluation, consumer outreach, stakeholder engagement, and communications platform development. Karina previously held research and program development positions at the March of Dimes, Children’s Hospital Boston, and Jumpstart. She earned a B.A. in Child Development from Tufts University.
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[picture_frame title=”David Kone”]http://www.corazondedahlia.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/David_Kone.jpg[/picture_frame]
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David Kone
Adisory Board Member (New York, NY)
As a self-proclaimed international citizen, David has focused on international development from an economic perspective. He has traveled throughout South America, including living in Peru for four years working as Director of a textile apparel company. In 2005, he co-founded a non-profit organization in Lima, Peru and contributed as both a board member and volunteer to community-based projects within Peru. He received his BS in International Marketing and World Business at the University of Alabama, and also studied abroad at the University of Costa Rica. Recently, he relocated to New York City working for an international logistics company with future plans to attend graduate school to specialize in International Development.
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[picture_frame title=”Sonya Pal”]http://www.corazondedahlia.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Sonya1.jpg[/picture_frame]
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Sonya Pal
Advisory Board Member (New York, NY)
Sonya is an attorney and works at a Fortune 500 multinational risk management and insurance brokerage firm. She graduated from Binghamton University with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Spanish. While at Binghamton, Sonya attended a six month study abroad program at the Universidad de Sevilla and received the Rosefsky Scholar award for her essay: How Students will Impact the World by Studying Abroad.” Sonya has always had a strong affection for Spanish language and culture and believes educating children is essential to the success of a society. She is excited to contribute her efforts to Corazón de Dahlia and hopes her involvement will help affect change in Peru. In May 2011, Sonya received her Juris Doctor from Seton Hall University: School of Law and passed the New York and New Jersey bar exams.
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[picture_frame title=”Olga Klugina”]http://www.corazondedahlia.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Olga1.jpg[/picture_frame]
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Olga Klugina
Advisory Board Member (New York, NY)
Olga graduated Fordham University School of Law in May 2010 and was admitted to the New York State Bar in April 2011. Olga entered law school with the desire to become a family lawyer specifically so that she could be involved in helping protect the rights of innocent young children from abuse and neglect. Due to a number of factors, however, Olga is currently practicing Real Estate law in a small boutique law firm in Manhattan. She is looking forward to contributing to this wonderful project in Peru!
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[picture_frame title=”Geneva Sands-Sadowitz”]http://www.corazondedahlia.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Geneva_Sands_Sadowitz.jpg[/picture_frame]
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Geneva Sands-Sadowitz
Volunteer (Brooklyn, NY)
Geneva studied International Relations at American University in Washington D.C., and recently completed her graduate studies at the CUNY School of Journalism in New York City. Geneva has much international travel experience, including study abroad, in South Africa and Chile. She is proficient in the Spanish language, and has traveled to Peru. She currently works at Bloomberg News.
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[picture_frame title=”Meredith Anderson”]http://www.corazondedahlia.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Meredith_Anderson.jpg[/picture_frame]
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Meredith Anderson
Volunteer (Brooklyn, NY)
Meredith graduated from Lehigh University with a dual degree in Biology and Political Science. In 2006 she joined the New York City corps of Teach For America. For three years, she taught sixth, seventh, and eighth grade science at MS 113, The Ronald Edmonds Learning Center, in Brooklyn. Prior to joining the board, Meredith was a volunteer and team leader for AYUDA (American Youth Understanding Diabetes Abroad) where she helped facilitate grass roots diabetes education programs in Ecuador and Bolivia. Most recently taught at the Adaklu-Waya Secondary School in the Volta Region of Ghana where she also worked with the Waya Writers, a community based organization committed to creating economic opportunities in the local community. Meredith currently works for Uncommon Schools and teaches at Brooklyn East Collegiate, a public charter school.
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[picture_frame title=”Alexis Tuchman”]http://www.corazondedahlia.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Alexis_Tuchman.jpg[/picture_frame]
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Alexis Tuchman
Volunteer (New York, NY)
Alexis studied Industrial Management Engineering at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. Alexis is now a consultant for Accenture in New York City. Alexis has traveled widely across the globe, including Peru.
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[picture_frame title=”Janice Gallaugher”]http://www.corazondedahlia.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Janice_Gallaugher.jpg[/picture_frame]
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Janice Gallaugher
Volunteer (Duncan, B.C., Canada)
While visiting Peru in 2006 I had the chance to meet Dahlia and Laura and hear about their dream of building a center for children. Their enthusiasm was genuine and contagious. When I returned home I promised myself I would help them in any way I possibly could. I would like to see the children at this shelter given the same opportunities and love as my children have. My goal is to raise awareness and funds in my community and then return to Peru and help Laura at the center.
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[picture_frame title=”Michal Richtman”]http://www.corazondedahlia.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Michal_Richtman.jpg[/picture_frame]
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Michal Richtman
Volunteer (Zurich, Switzerland)
Michal is a graduate of the School of International Business in Barcelona, Spain. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Managemnt, Public Relations, and Communication. Michal is an accomplished young woman who has lived in Israel, Italy, Ireland, Spain, and Switzerland in addition to many international travels, including a visit to Indonesia. Michal speaks five languages, and has a positive attitude that is an asset to our organization. Michal is very interested in helping Corazon de Dahlia. She is currently working on finding funds and support for Corazon de Dahlia’s Development Center.
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