Program Facilitators
Danielle
She/Her
Danielle is pursuing her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, where she focuses on understanding the human experience and fostering meaningful personal growth. Her years in a supervisory role gave her hands-on experience mentoring others and shaped her commitment to guiding young women as they navigate challenges and build confidence.
Drawn to L.O.V.E.’s mission of helping Latina girls and young women thrive in the classroom and beyond, Danielle is passionate about creating opportunities for those who have been historically underrepresented. Coming from a Hispanic background herself, she is especially driven to support girls and young women from marginalized communities, equipping them with the tools to overcome adversity and flourish.
Danielle believes that through empathy, mentorship, and advocacy, every young woman can not only meet life’s obstacles with resilience but also discover her own power to succeed and thrive.
Parnita
She/They
Parnita is majoring in psychology with minors in Sociology and Law & Policy. She is passionate about supporting youth from underrepresented communities and creating spaces where diverse identities are recognized and celebrated. Through research and community work, Parnita explores how social norms around identity and belonging impact well-being. Looking ahead, she hopes to pursue graduate study in psychology and continue her journey toward becoming a professor and researcher dedicated to amplifying marginalized voices.
Isabella
She/Her
Isabella is majoring in Psychology and double minoring in Law and Policy and Theater. Her interest in mental health and community work has grown through both her academic path and hands-on experience since coming to the city. She has worked as an intern at Harlem Children's Zone and The Children's Center, and has served as a peer mentor for fellow college students- experiences that have helped her better understand the importance of support systems, especially for young people in underrepresented communities. As a facilitator, Isabella is excited to support mentees both inside and outside the classroom. She is grateful to be part of a space that centers on care, connection and learning.
Julie
She/Her
Julie truly believes in creating world change through action. She joined L.O.V.E. as a facilitator because of its mission to empower, not only in theory but in practice. The abolitionist rhetoric of Angela Davis remains a guide for the way she navigates the world. Angela once said, "hope is a skill", hope is something that must be cultivated everyday.
Julie is currently studying Sociology and retains a focus on decolonization and abolition. She believes that the world is not random, and maintains that the only way to deconstruct oppressive systems is to become conscious and active. She also is a big believer in holistic decolonized forms of wellbeing such as yoga. Somatic healing is such a neglected practice in her eyes because in a world driven by profit, health and true well-being are invisible and remain commodified. Ultimately, Julie wants to create new foundations for the world by teaching, learning and organizing, and feels very privileged to be an active part of L.O.V.E..
Lesly
She/Her
Lesly joined L.O.V.E. as a facilitator while pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She is passionate about the arts, mentorship, and creating spaces where young women feel supported and empowered.
Her commitment to community engagement has shaped her academic and personal path, with a strong focus on giving back and uplifting others. Lesly plans to continue her studies by pursuing a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling, where she hopes to further her impact by supporting the emotional well-being and resilience of Latina women.
Lesly is excited to contribute her dedication, creativity, and vision to the mission of L.O.V.E., helping young women discover their strengths and thrive.
Erika
She/Her
Born and raised in Queens, New York, Erika’s upbringing gave her a first-hand understanding of the challenges faced by her communities. Driven by a passion for addressing social and emotional issues, she dedicated her academic and professional journey to supporting others. Erika currently works as a literacy specialist, where she helps students strengthen their academic foundation while fostering their personal growth. Erika holds an Associate’s degree in Health Sciences from New York City College of Technology and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology and Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. With a professional focus in counseling, Erika is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Forensic Mental Health & Counseling. Her interests center on bridging the gap between stigma and proper access to counseling services, and she is deeply passionate about creating spaces where young people can thrive. As a L.O.V.E. facilitator, Erika's values strongly align with L.O.V.E.’s mission, as she is dedicated to seeing youth succeed and reach their fullest potential.
Gabriela
She/Her
Gabriela was drawn to the way L.O.V.E. fosters community, uplifts young women, and reminds us of the power of presence and mentorship. Her passion for education, and community-building has guided her path from an early age. Along the way, she has been part of communities that have shaped her— from being selected as a Rise Global Winner, to studying at UWC Mostar, to growing as a student leader at Barnard College, and being recognized in Mexico through BBVA’s Chavos que Inspiran youth program.
She brings broad experience working with youth through teaching math to girls at a foster home, supporting children from under-resourced communities in Mexico, developing projects to challenge stereotypes in international schools, and creating programs to support international students in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Now, she serves as a financial facilitator empowering women to take control of their finances. Across all her work, Gabriela believes that consciousness and knowledge are the first steps toward collective and societal change.
Gabriela knows that teaching is most impactful when rooted in humility, attentiveness, and collaboration. As a facilitator at L.O.V.E., she is inspired to create environments where young people, especially young Latinas, can see their potential reflected back to them and build networks of strength and support. Through teaching the L.O.V.E. curriculum and supporting new initiatives with Unidos, Gabriela is committed to advancing the organization’s mission in New York City and beyond.