Today we’d like to introduce you to Yadira Santana.
Hi Yadira, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am from Puerto Rico and I have been married for twenty-three years. My husband and I have a son and a daughter, both teenagers. Over 15 years ago, I was working in a program that provided support to women that were victims of abuse. The experience gave me a desire to provide additional help and support for these women.
Five years ago, my husband became a pastor, making me a pastor’s wife; giving me the opportunity to, once again, listen to women that shared their stories of mistreatment and abuse. I then started organizing meetings with collaborators and professionals that were willing to offer some advice and/or conferences that would help strengthen the women who have survived sexual, physical, and emotional abuse.
To attract the attention of women and adolescents, we have adopted the name “Eres Unica”, which translated in English means, “You are Unique”. To our Surprise, we have had an immense amount of support and plenty of people show up. Soon we started having meetings more often and have done events even outside of the United States. We are a non-profit faith-based organization willing to go anywhere we’re needed.
Every place we have visited, representing our organization, has left us with the urgency to keep going. In every event, we have had more and more women and young ladies excited to be at our conferences and events. We understand it may be difficult when you have to speak with some stranger about something that happened or is continuously happening that makes you feel mistreated. That is why we would like to convert our organization into a support group that you can call and get support to attend therapies or any other emotional support.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
We have had excellent reviews about our events and have found a nice group of volunteers to help us organize the events. We love to see the faces of all the women that attend and even love that some are comfortable enough to tell us their stories. Our tough road has been covering the expense of every event.
We try our best to keep the events free; however, every event has its own cost. Even when the professionals offer to provide the conferences with no monetary compensation, we are always looking for a way to at least cover their travel expenses and lodging. We sell t-shirts, tumblers, and hoodies to have some money to help in that area.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am currently employed as a Case Manager in a national corporation. I have been in Social Services for almost 18 years. I am also a Pastor’s wife in South Florida. I am enjoying every aspect of my life right now and I am glad that I have my husband and children by my side, being able to take them with me on most of my adventures.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I like to support women writers and/or who are using the different platforms to bring a message of faith and hope to Women and Families. Books: “¡Gana la batalla en tu interior!”, “Mujer conoce tu valor y vive con propósito”, “Vive libre vive feliz” de la Dra. Lis Milland. “Desde el Corazon de una Madre” escritora Dayna Monteagudo. Un pequeño devocional “Sonríele a la vida a través de le neblina” de la Dra. Dorily Esquilin
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eres_unica_inc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Eres-Unica-Inc-126780788908290
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UChumuGwFQMR3yJ1YRdA-uQg https://youtube.com/channel/UChumuGwFQMR3yJ1YRdA-uQg
