Despierta

04/17/2026

What will you create today? ✨

Despierta team members Sheila and Maria traveled to Los Angeles to attend ! 💙

As a nonprofit, Despierta is proud to be part of the 950,000+ nonprofits worldwide that receive free access to Canva Pro through Canva. Tools like this allow organizations to design impactful resources, tell meaningful stories, and amplify the voices of the communities they serve.

Through platforms like Canva, Despierta turns ideas into action, creating workshop materials, social media campaigns, and storytelling tools that uplift and empower youth. 🌱

During the event, the team had the opportunity to learn from inspiring creatives and leaders including , , and . Their insights on creativity, storytelling, and purpose reinforced an important message: authenticity drives meaningful impact.

Because when creativity meets purpose, impact grows.

So the question remains: What will you create today?

04/15/2026

04/14/2026

Some stories begin quietly…
with a dream no one else can see yet.

But when courage meets purpose,
something powerful begins to rise.

Despierta - to awaken,to rise, to become. 🦋

Coming May 7th
Witness the beginning of Despierta . 🎬

Thank you to for making this possible 🙌🏼

04/03/2026

🎙️ Here’s what our youth have to say about phone addiction & digital safety 👀!

Check out Bonita Voices, Despierta’s Youth Committee, in their first-ever podcast episode. Listen through the link in our bio!

🎧 Watch the full video and catch this special segment now.

03/20/2026

🙌🏼🎙️It’s finally here!

We are proud to launch Despierta’s first-ever youth-led podcast, created by Bonita Voices, our youth committee of high school Latina students.

In this podcast, our youth lead honest conversations about:
💬 Mental health stigma
💬 Growing Up Latina
💬 Digital wellness and navigating social media

This space was created so our youth can share their voices, perspectives, and experiences in their own words. The podcast also features different segments and even a special message from our youth to adults.

🎥Now streaming on Despierta’s YouTube!
Watch the first episode through the link in our bio and support youth voices in our community.

03/17/2026

At Despierta, identity matters. 🌎✨

Through our flagship Bonita Rising Youth Program, students engage in mental health and social-emotional learning while exploring one of our core values: identity.

Many of our students come from diverse cultural backgrounds, and creating space to celebrate those identities is essential. In this activity, students created their own papel picado flags, reflecting on what culture, heritage, and belonging mean to them.

For some, identity means honoring family traditions.
For others, it means sharing their journey of adapting to a new culture.

These moments of reflection help students build confidence, cultural pride, and a deeper understanding of themselves and their communities. When young people are given the space to express who they are, they grow into leaders who carry that pride forward.

The impact goes beyond the classroom. Strengthening self-identity today helps shape resilient, empowered leaders for the future. 🌱

🌟 Invest in the future of our youth.
Programs like Bonita Rising help young people build confidence, cultural pride, and mental wellness skills that stay with them for life. Learn more and support Despierta’s impact through the link in our bio!

03/09/2026

This past Saturday, Despierta had the opportunity to take participants from our Bonita Mama and Bonita Rising programs to experience Esperanza Rising at ImaginOn’s Children’s Theatre of Charlotte. 🎭

This powerful story of resilience, loss, and hope reflects the journeys many of our own families share. Opportunities like this allow our youth and their families to see their culture and stories reflected in meaningful ways.

At Despierta, we are proud to create experiences that nurture cultural pride, confidence, uplifting identity.

✨ If you believe in creating more opportunities like this, we invite you to join us at our upcoming fundraiser, Noche de Impacto, on May 7th at Lenny Boys Brewing Co. Together, we can continue creating spaces where our girls are empowered to rise.

Noche De Impacto information: 🔗 in bio!

03/03/2026

🌺We are excited to officially announce Despierta’s 2nd Annual Fundraiser, Noche De Impacto!🌺

Last year, your support helped expand our programs and empower women and youth across our community through culturally responsive mental health programs.

This year, we’re coming together again to celebrate impact, uplift our community, and continue building spaces where women and youth can thrive.

Join us for an unforgettable evening of connection, inspiration, and community.

📆 Thursday, May 7th

⏰6:00 PM

📍 Lenny Boy Brewing Co.

🎟️ Tickets available now through link in bio.

Join us for Noche De Impacto 🌱🌺

02/25/2026

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. 🧡

At Bonita Rising, we believe that education is prevention.

This week, our Bonita Rising students engaged in powerful conversations about:
• Healthy vs. unhealthy relationship dynamics
• Setting and respecting boundaries
• Recognizing red flags
• Understanding their rights in relationships

Each student created her own Relationship Rights Lis, a reminder that every young person deserves a relationship that is safe, respectful, and free from violence.

When we educate, we empower. When we create safe spaces, young people find their voice. And when we invest in prevention, we help break cycles before they begin.

Every teen has the right to a healthy, violence-free relationship.

NonprofitLeadership

02/10/2026

Our Founder & Executive Director shares her personal journey as a survivor of domestic violence with WSOC-TV and . Her story highlights the importance of community, advocacy, and access to resources.

This clip is a short snippet of her powerful story. Huge shoutout to who is working on bringing this documentary to life. To watch the full WSOC-TV feature and learn more about the support available, click the link in our bio.

If you or someone you know is impacted by domestic violence, the Safe Alliance Hope Line serves all of greater Charlotte.
The number is (980) 771-4673. It’s available 24 hours a day.

12/31/2025

✨ 2025 was a year of growth, impact, and powerful moments. From classrooms to community spaces, this semester we showed up, built connection, and created change. Here’s a look at what we accomplished together — and we’re just getting started. 💛

12/25/2025

Happy Holidays from the Despierta team 🤍✨ Wishing our community a season filled with rest, joy, and connection.