About Illumination Center for Latinas
Our Mission
Founded in 2023 as a 501c3 not-profit organization is focused on Hispanic women and girls embracing
their voice and unleashing endowed strengths
to live a life they love.
Core Belief
What we PRACTICE demonstrates our WHY.
We are not limited nor changed by any specific belief;
rather we are aware of joy, fulfillment and love.
We are fully engaged in expressing our true self.
Our Services
Illumination Center for Latinas serves to address the whole person through one or more of our FOUR Pillars:
Immediate Responsive Services
Healing Centered Engagement
Family Mentorship and Leadership Development
Social Enterprise Partnerships
Our Story
Founder Gladys Santiago leans into her best-selling co-authored book, “Overcoming Mediocrity: Limitless Women.” Her story shares alarming research that during mid-life Latinas suffer more than any other female group.
She is committed to Latinas transitioning smoothly through every stage of life, including experiencing
mid-life as a “rite-of-passage” versus “crisis.”
Her mantra “Together Creating Contribution”
speaks to the cornerstone of collaboration to achieve mission-based excellence. The Four Pillars of Illumination Center for Latinas emerged from meetings with individuals and groups who are concerned about the lack of programs and services.
Make no mistake,
there does not exist in Northeast Ohio a non-profit organization solely dedicated to serving Latinas.
Learn more here how God has prepared Gladys to establish Illumination Center for Latinas.
Pillars
Immediate Responsive Services
Latinas in crisis due to Domestic Violence, Gender Based Violence, Lateral or Horizontal Violence and/or facing Homelessness is provided intervention, consultation and referral plus server-side support.
- Safety assessments
- Coordination/Referral - legal, medical, housing, addiction and other social services for themselves and their family.
Healing Centered Engagement
Through individuals or small groups we will explore, reveal and heal trauma inherited through cultural beliefs/stigmas, unbalanced upbringing and/or societal discourses.
Behavior Health Assisted Support – Post-acute mental health therapy, Latinas as they re-enter family and society are provided with culturally appropriate, evidence-based psychosocial support toward lifelong management of their trauma.
“Juntas Podemos” Program – Self-care for many Latinas happens in the company of others, unlike mainstream model of individualistic therapy. Together they will repurpose tragedy and trauma.
Social Enterprise Partners
Profit-sharing collaboration help raise unrestricted-revenue to support Illumination Center for Latinas strategic plan initiatives most likely not cover by grants.
SELF DEVELOPMENT & COACHING
Your Light Rocks! Signature Program – Founded by Gladys Santiago, CEO & President of Unitivity, Inc. and Co-Founder of The Illumination Center for Latinas.
YLR is a web-based course designed to ignite Latinas to unfold their innate strengths to fully express their true self at work, home and/or community.
YLR is a fee-based transformational social entrepreneurial collaboration.
Social Enterprise Partners
Profit-sharing collaboration help to raise unrestricted-revenue to support Illumination Center for Latinas strategic plan initiatives most likely not cover by grants.
PRODUCTS
Hats Off To You! founded by Gladys Santiago shares profits with Illumination Center for Latinas.
The Company offers a selection of headwear, scarves and gloves with distinct designs featuring the Latine/Hispanic and Northeast Ohio culture. Specialty services include repairs for that favorite very expensive headwear and customized embroidery for special events/occasions.
Family Mentorship & Leadership Development
The guidance provided by someone who has walked a mile in one’s “chancleta” (sandals) is priceless. It is an avenue for Latinas to create new narratives within their family.
La Abuela Project – Grandmothers provide a huge support to Latina mothers. However, grandmothers are not always equipped with what it takes to go beyond basic child sitting to ensure effective growth and development of their grandchild/ren.
Career Development/Education – Latinas who are ready to explore a sound pathway (position, industry or occupation) that is best suited for their unique/innate strengths can be on-boarded into that world through job-shadowing.
Single Mothers Thriving – Everything you need is in community. Latinas embrace "isolation" as a detriment to navigating resources.
Our Fathers & Brothers – Latinas can serve to help Latinos understand effects of intergenerational trauma, heal their pain and build new ways of being in relationship with their partners, child/ren and other female figures in their lives.