Hispanic Access is thrilled to announce the addition of Andres Almanza, Moses Borjas, Norma Chairez-Hartell, Luis Cruz, Rosa Malagon, Martin Martinez, Daniel Miguel, Berliz Morales, Magdalena Morales-Maithalouni, and Rebeca Rodriguez as Community Navigators to implement comprehensive outreach strategies to engage the Latino community and other target populations and to serve as a bridge between 1,200+ Latino serving organizations and the U.S. Forest Service throughout its nine regions.
“Fueled by their distinct backgrounds, the new Community Navigators all share a tremendous passion for inspiring and helping their community have the connections and resources to improve their lives," said Maite Arce, president and CEO of Hispanic Access Foundation. "This group of amazing professionals will undoubtedly allow Hispanic Access to serve the Latino community in a way we have never imagined.”
Andres Almanza will serve Region 4. He has a bachelor's degree from the University of Las Vegas, Nevada, and is currently a JD candidate at Syracuse University College of Law.
Moses Borjas will serve Region 8. He has served the El Paso community for 21 years as a Senior Pastor of Living Covenant Church and spearheaded the community engagement in the Castner Range National Monument designation.
Norma Chairez-Hartell will serve Region 9. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and a Master of Arts degree in anthropology and worked as a curator for the City of Las Cruces Museums Systems, El Paso Museum of History, and New Mexico State University.
Luis Cruz will serve Region 5. He has a bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences and a master's in Environmental Science Management in Conservation Biology from the University of Rhode Island and is a Hispanic Access MANO Project alumni.
Rosa Malagon will serve Region 8. She holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Central Florida and has spent the last decade empowering, advocating, and providing direct services to marginalized communities in the nonprofit and education sectors.
Martin Martinez will serve Regions 1, 2, 6, and 10. He has 19 years of experience in nonprofit organization advocacy and has advocated for the San Gabriel National Monument, Sand to Snow National Monument, Castle Mountain National Monument, and Coachella Desert Monument designations.
Daniel Miguel will serve Region 8. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History with a minor in International Development and Humanitarian Assistance from the University of Florida and a background in conservation education and community-oriented work.
Berliz Morales will serve Region 8 and as a Manager for the Community Navigators in the East. She has worked as an extension agent and outreach specialist in Puerto Rico Sea Grant and the Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System, collaborating with community and government agencies to establish agreements in protected areas.
Magdalena Morales-Maithalouni will serve Region 5. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from California State University, Los Angeles, and is an influential inspirational community relations and engagement leader, recognized as a go-to expert in community engagement.
Rebeca Rodriguez will serve Region 3 and as a Manager for the Community Navigators in the West. She holds master’s degrees in Space Management from the International Space University and in Sustainability Solutions from Arizona State University and has experience as an Environmental Defense Fund Climate Corps Fellow.
Community Navigators will be offering training and mentorship on identifying, applying to, and managing federal grants, contracts, and partnerships, assisting with applications, reviewing, and administrative procedures, and providing activities and technical assistance in collaboration with the Forest Service Community Navigator staff. To learn more about the Community Navigator program and the regions, visit https://hispanicaccess.org/what-we-do/community-navigator.
