Program Facilitators
Lesly
She/Her
Lesly Michelle Ochoa is a first generation Ecuadorian American born and raised in New York City, passionate about uplifting the voices and lived experiences of immigrant communities. She believes art, dialogue, and creative expression can open space for reflection, healing, and deeper understanding while working toward greater equity.
Lesly is especially interested in how opening doors for individuals can transform the collective. She believes that when people are given access to opportunity and the freedom to use their voice, the impact ripples outward, strengthening the fabric of shared spaces and the people within them.
Outside of her work, Lesly enjoys writing poetry and developing new initiatives and creative ventures centered on art, access, and collective healing. She earned her B.A. in Psychology with honors from Baruch College and trained professionally at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting.
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..
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.
Jordyn-Anniyah
She/Her
Jordyn-Anniyah joined L.O.V.E. as a Political Science major with a passion for community building, legal outreach, and legislative reform. Being from Atlanta, Georgia, Jordyn grew a passion for community outreach through volunteering and participating in spaces for youth advocacy. She was drawn to L.O.V.E. as it advocates for young women, specifically creating a space to speak and learn about mental health and college readiness, two subjects she believes can never be spoken about enough with youth.
Jordyn plans to continue working to represent the underrepresented through a degree in Political Science and a minor in Journalism, hoping to one day work in Immigration Law.
Vanessa
She/Her
Growing up in the city, Vanessa’s Latino community surrounded her with their ambition and taught her there was always a door to open for her dreams. This created a deep-seated desire to give back to the community that always pushed her and to create spaces where people feel heard and seen. With a love of the arts, she spent her teen years working with young girls, developing their personal skills in leadership, empowerment, and self-advocacy. With L.O.V.E.'s emphasis on education and preparing young women for their future, she hopes to open doors to their dreams, build pathways, and create an understanding and supportive community. Vanessa understands the impact of representation when forming beliefs of what is possible, and the power in communicating options with people who have lived them, which she hopes to show through what she creates at L.O.V.E.
Currently double-majoring in psychology and sociology, she wants to give back to her community through mental health counseling and continue working in schools. She plans to further her education with a PhD in Social Psychology and become a professor, passing on what she’s learned.
Tanya
She/Her/Ella
Tanya joined L.O.V.E. while pursuing her bachelors in Psychology. She is driven to helping out her community through the inspiration she gained in watching her sisters help out their community. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York Tanya has a first person view on the challenges that are faced by her community and wishes to make change by becoming a facilitator at L.O.V.E. In doing so, Tanya hopes to gain additional experience in assisting students further their knowledge of their opportunities. In the end,Tanya strives to continue helping out her community in the future by becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.
Veronica
She/Her/Ella
Veronica was born and raised in Ecuador and moved to the United States in 2023. She is a third-year college student at Queens College, majoring in Psychology and enrolled in the pre-med track. Her long-term goal is to pursue a career in neurosurgery.
Outside of academics, Veronica is passionate about learning new languages and exploring art. She enjoys drawing and painting in her free time, as these activities help her relax and manage stress. In the future, she hopes to incorporate art into therapeutic practices to support others in managing stress and emotional well-being.
Additionally, Veronica works as a Teacher Assistant with infants and toddlers and volunteers at New York-Presbyterian Hospital and the ECHO Clinic. Through these experiences, she has connected with people from different backgrounds and gained insight into the realities of today’s healthcare system. These experiences have strengthened her desire to advocate for individuals with limited access to medical care and ensure that everyone receives the attention and care they
deserve.
Carolina
She/Her
Carolina is a Bronx native currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in psychology, with plans to continue on to a master’s degree in the field. She is passionate about promoting teen mental health and hopes to make a meaningful impact by supporting young people and providing the guidance she wished she had growing up.
Through L.O.V.E., Carolina has found community while continuing her own journey of personal growth, progressing from mentor to facilitator. She is dedicated to helping young women discover their identities, build confidence, and feel reassured as they navigate their own paths.
Outside of the program, Carolina is a comic book enthusiast and cosplayer who proudly embraces creativity and individuality. She hopes to inspire young girls to know that it is okay to be nerdy, pursue fun hobbies, and strive for their education all at the same time.