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Community Based Program Team
Mary Contreras | Community-Based program Manager
Mary Contreras is the Community Based Program Manager she worked for the State of Arizona's Department of Child Safety, where she started as an Administrative Assistant, promoted to a Case Aide II then continued as an investigator in the investigations unit. She has been doing social work for about ten years. Mary earned her bachelor's degree in criminal justice then took on the challenge of earning her Master's of Education in counseling. One of the many blessings she has received in working with domestic and sexual violence survivors is getting to know the Latino community, hearing their stories, observing their customs, seeing their vision, and sharing their food. She has always known that her work would be in helping and advocating for others.
| community based supervisor / Sexual assault advocate
/Office Assistant
promotora coordinator
The Promotora Coordinator runs and coordinates the De Colores "Promotora" leadership program. They provide sexual and domestic violence support services, education and case management to survivors of sexual and domestic violence in a community based setting.
Karina Lopez | human trafficking coordinator
​Karina is a member of Chicanos Por La Causa's De Colores family. Karina is an Arizona native and interned at CPLC De Colores in 2017. In her time as an intern, she worked closely with the legal advocates in both the shelter and the community-based office. She went on to graduate in May of 2017 from Northern Arizona University with a bachelor's in intelligence studies. Currently, Karina is the new Human Trafficking Coordinator, aids clients in the areas of human trafficking, safety planning, support groups, as well as community referrals.
Sexual assault outreach coordinator
The Sexual Assault Outreach Coordinator provides information and outreach to community members affected by sexual violence.
Sonia Abril | housing TEAM LEADER
​CPLC employee since 2018 started in Human Resource as the Staffing Administrator but shifted careers to join CPLC De Colores Community to assist and provide safety plans, housing stability, and homeless prevention. I enjoy helping others leave difficult situations while offering support, care, and empathy. On a personal note, I love hiking and spending time with my family and friends.
| housing advocate
​CPLC employee since 2018 started in Human Resource as the Staffing Administrator but shifted careers to join CPLC De Colores Community to assist and provide safety plans, housing stability, and homeless prevention. I enjoy helping others leave difficult situations while offering support, care, and empathy. On a personal note, I love hiking and spending time with my family and friends.
legal advocate
​The Community Based Legal Advocate is responsible for providing lay legal advocacy to "out-of-shelter" survivors of sexual and domestic violence, as well as provide follow up legal advocacy to clients after leaving the De Colores Shelter. The advocate will provide support and education for the survivors as they interact with legal institutions. The legal Advocate also assists in completing required legal activities, supports the survivors with safety planning, and offer community based support groups and outreach presentations.
Iranzu Rodriguez | Community Legal Advocate
Iranzu immigrated from Mexico and now calls Arizona home. He loves the Arizona weather, the beautiful desert scenery, and hiking. Iranzu has experience in the franchise industry and the real estate sector.
Iranzu has always had a passion for community service, so she has always been involved in her community. Iranzu is known for her volunteering; when a volunteer was needed for Parent Teacher Organization, she was there. She has also volunteered for the USO, United Service Organization, and recently with the Chandler Police at the Family Advocacy Center. Iranzu graduated from Northern Arizona University with a BA in Criminal Justice Administration.
alma guzman | case manager
CPLC previously contracted Alma Guzman to work at the Carl Hayden Center as a Bilingual GED Instructor. Working with adults seeking to earn their high school diploma was one of the most rewarding positions because she enjoyed working in the community. Her extensive experience working with the Latino Community derives from her passion for helping individuals and families in schools.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies for Elementary Education from the University of Laverne in California. She also earned two Associate of Science Degrees in Paralegal Studies from Mount San Antonio College. She completed an internship at the San Bernardino County Superior Court, where she assisted in the Family Law Division. She also completed an internship at a family law office where she was able to encompass her education and compassion to help clients go through a difficult time.
More recently, Alma worked as a pre-litigation paralegal in personal injury firms; however, her passion for working within the community brought Alma back to work at CPLC as a Community Based Advocate.
leticia lowry-Garcilazo | Economic Empowerment Coach
Leticia Lowry-Garcilazo is originally from Mexico City, where she studied her BS in Industrial Design at the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana. Leticia has worked as a designer for more than seven years in Mexico and the USA.
Leticia obtained her Master's in Fine Arts (MFA) at The University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley in May 2019. As a multimedia artist and faculty, her artwork and theory address femicide, violence against women; gender equality; and women's empowerment. Leticia moved to AZ in 2020 and interned at De Colores as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer before joining the team as an economic empowerment coach.
Michelle castro | youth advocate
Michelle is the Community-Based Youth Advocate.
ARUMY FLORES RENDON | community-based advocate
Arumy is a Case Manager/Community Based Advocate at De Colores. She is a dedicated advocate with a Paralegal background and a strong passion for helping underserved communities. In her role, she connects and helps individuals experiencing domestic violence to navigate resources, the legal system, and advocacy in order to support and empower each victim. Outside of her role, she is a full-time mom to a 1-year-old German Shepard. They can always be found at a Starbucks line getting cold brews and puppuchinos. Once her coffee cravings are met she is usually spending time with my family or working on myself at the gym.