For Esthela Rios, her work at Latino Memphis is more than just a job—it’s a chance to connect with her culture and community and heal her inner child. “I see myself in the children of our clients, and I see my mom in our clients,” she shares. “I want to create a space and opportunities for people like my mom by making sure that [the kids and families] are being treated as I would have liked to be treated when I was younger.” This deep personal connection fuels her dedication to the community she serves.

As the largest Latino-serving nonprofit in western Tennessee, Latino Memphis serves as a vital hub for social services in the region. As the Program Director of Tu Salud ('Your Health'), Esthela works with a team of community health workers, known as Promotoras de Salud, helping to scale the organization’s programming to new heights.

These community health workers help connect families to essential health services and benefits—many of which they may not even know they are eligible for. 'A lot of our families can maximize or take advantage [of programs], but sometimes they run into issues even getting in the door. That’s where the promotoras come in, helping to make that direct link,' explains Esthela.

The organization provides culturally sensitive and relevant programs in essential areas like immigrant services, healthcare, and educational support. With a bilingual staff and wrap-around services, they make it easy for low-income families to access a wide range of support. 'Many of our clients have recently arrived [in the U.S.] and don’t know where to begin,' says Esthela. As a first-generation Mexican American, she believes their team’s ability to relate to and connect with clients is crucial to providing effective support. 'Our lived experiences inform our programming, which is not always the case for other agencies. Having that personal touch and cultural connection makes our clients feel welcomed and open to asking for what they truly need,' Esthela continues.