Omayra Pizarro

Omayra Pizarro was born and raised in Waterbury , Connecticut. Omayra is a paralegal with the law firm of Tindall, Holmes & Kestenband, LLC which is a full service law firm located in Waterbury and Hartford . Omayra has been a paralegal for 13 years and has throughout her career worked for three other law firms. Omayra received her Associates degree from Naugatuck Valley Community College in 1996 and is currently enrolled at Post University pursuing her bachelors in criminal justice. Omayra is fluent in Spanish and serves as an interpreter when needed. Omayra enjoys working with people and helping others especially in the Hispanic community. She is very determined and strives to achieve the best in any situation.

Fernando Ramirez

Fernando Ramirez was born and raised in Bridgeport CT, and attended the Central Magnet high school program. He made Waterbury his home in 1993 when he became a City Firefighter. Since then, he has become the President the Waterbury Firefighter Association. His duties include overseeing the over two hundred fifty member City Fire Department’s deployment in regards to public safety, and safety of fire department personnel. He also manages all negotiating of hours, wages, and working conditions of the fire department which currently responds to over 17,000 calls a year. Fernando plans to assist the Hispanic Coalition with their current programs and through his partnerships with various civic organizations, the community, and employee organizations enable to strengthen the coalition in the future.

Kim Benitez

A native New Yorker, of Puerto Rican descent. Presently resides in Waterbury, CT. Her educational background is in Human Services. She has worked for: Safe Haven Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Crisis Services, in Waterbury - she was a Bilingual Crisis Counselor. StayWell Health Center - she was a Family Support Worker for first time mothers and their children. Family Services of Greater Waterbury - she was a Family Support Worker for the Reunification Program. As an active Board Member of the Hispanic Coalition for the past 3 years, her interest is to help bring awareness and education programs for the youth, parents and the elderly. Ms. Benitez works for the Social Security Administration in Torrington, CT. She is also a Mentor for the Connecticut Junior Republic, in Waterbury. She enjoys cooking, movies and being with friends and family.

Ronnie Vazquez Beauchamp

Born and raised in Waterbury, CT of Puerto Rican descent. Mr. Vazquez has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a specialization in Public Administration from Central Connecticut State University. He also had international experience studying and traveling abroad in England, Africa, Cuba, and Egypt. Upon his international studies Ronnie worked in Washington, D.C. as a Public Policy Fellow for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute. As a fellow he has had experience working in the United States Congress, Superior Court for the District of Columbia, and the Connecticut General Assembly. Mr. Vazquez is currently employed for the Waterbury Public School System where he has worked for over six years as a Grant Coordinator overseeing educational policies and programs related to the No Child Left Behind Act. Ronnie’s interests include music, traveling, and advocating public policy & social justice issues.

Melitza Velez

Born and raised in Waterbury, Connecticut to parents native of Puerto Rico. She has been part of the board for over five years. She is a graduate of Uconn where she received her masters’ degree in Clinical Social Work. Currently she is employed at Connecticut Junior Republic where she has advocated for youth and their families for the past six years.. Prior to that she has worked counseling victims of domestic violence and sexual assault along with doing community education. Melitza is a member of First Assembly of God Church where she is an active member working in the nursery and providing counseling to women. Melitza is committed to advocating for those who are under represented and underprivileged due to socioeconomic, racial and ethic backgrounds.