Moving from Ecuador to Portland, Oregon, Paola Garcia Noboa had the opportunity to shift from working in anthropology to direct services with unaccompanied immigrant youth. This is where she connected with kids to help them better understand concepts such as that language barriers are a challenge and do not define who they are. She quickly realized that she could help connect youth to their culture and show them they have an opportunity to chart their own path in life in the United States.
“I want to combine the benefits from the Latino culture and the American culture to create a balance from the tools the cultures can provide,” says Paola. Not only did she spark passion in her clients but she also found a personal passion as she recognized that all of her experiences and education were merging to form her path.
Originally from Ecuador, Paola worked as a cultural anthropologist for 15 years. Her focus on multiculturalism, gender, indigenous rights, cultural heritage, and identity led her to earn a Master’s degree in Socio-Environmental Studies at FLACSO-Quito.
Paola joined the Santuario del Corazón team in October as a Family Navigator. She joined and hit the ground running as many families were in need of immediate resources. Las Cumbres’ Santuario del Corazón program offers a unique opportunity for Paola to continue working with immigrant populations and youth. She looks forward to continuing to work with families, with a focus on youth, to catapult their life trajectory.
We are excited to welcome Paola to New Mexico and the Las Cumbres Family and anticipate that she will impact the lives of many families in our community.
“I want to combine the benefits from the Latino culture and the American culture to create a balance from the tools each culture can provide.”