At El Futuro, we’ve always believed that healing happens not just in therapy rooms — but in moments of joy, connection, and shared belonging.
That truth was alive and visible at our recent Kermés, where one staff member turned to another and simply said: “It felt like home.” In a time when so many families are navigating fear, uncertainty, and harmful rhetoric at the federal and state level, creating spaces that feel like home is not a luxury — it is resistance. It is healing. And it’s only possible because of supporters like you.
Your Support Is Helping People Be Seen, Valued, and Cared For
Every day, our team shows up to do not just hard work, but heart work. Because of you:
- People who once had no access to care are now finding it.
- Parents feel seen, not judged.
- Teens are discovering that their stories matter.
- Entire families are rediscovering what belonging feels like.
In times of many uncertainties, El Futuro remains a steady, trusted refuge. And with your partnership, we’re not just holding the line — we’re planning boldly for the future.
Listening First: Our Community-Led Strategic Plan
This year, we launched a deep and inclusive strategic planning process — one built with the community, not just for the community. We listened to:
- Youth and adults ages 11 to 50+, including former and current patients
- Urban partners like Durham Public Schools, LATIN-19, and Latino Credit Union
- Rural partners across Chatham County
- Staff, board members, clinicians, and support teams
After months of focus groups, interviews, and research, we now have a powerful roadmap for the next three years. Our leadership team is finalizing the top-priority goals — and soon, every team at El Futuro will be aligning their efforts to bring that shared vision to life. In short: We’re ready. And with you beside us, we’re unstoppable.
Two Powerful Ways to Stand With Us Right Now
If you’ve been wondering, “How can I help?” — here are two joyful, meaningful opportunities to show up in solidarity:
🎨 El Futuro’s 5th Annual Art Auction & Gala*
📅 Saturday, November 1st · 6–11pm · The Rickhouse, Durham
An unforgettable evening of culture, music, and generosity — all to expand access to mental health care.
🎶 Mighty Giveback Concert* — Presented by Band Together & United Way
📅 Saturday, October 18 · Lincoln Theatre Outdoor Stage, Raleigh
Featuring Gov’t Mule — the more tickets sold, the more funds El Futuro and other mental health partners receive. Come for the music, stay for the mission.
Thank You for Believing — Not Just in the Work, But in the People Behind It
We say this often internally, and it’s true for you too: We are building something powerful together. Something rooted in care, courage, and community. Thank you for being part of that power.
Let’s keep showing up for one another. Let’s keep making spaces that feel like home. Let’s keep choosing hope — together.
*If you want to become a sponsor, please email Mary Coffman at mcoffman@elfuturo-nc.org
Alvely Alcántara, LCSW
Rossy C. Garcia, MEd 
Katy Sims, MD 
Everardo Aviles, LCSW, LCAS (Eve)
As a medical anthropologist and social work researcher, Dr. Gulbas’ research embodies interdisciplinarity through the integration of applied theories of health and human development with qualitative and ethnographic methodologies. Her work seeks to understand how people—children, families, and providers—navigate complex sociocultural landscapes in the pursuit of mental health. Most of her work, to date, focuses attention on developing more robust interpretations of suicide risk. With funding from the National Institutes of Mental Health, this body of research has contributed to advancements in theoretical and empirical knowledge of the broader contexts within which youth suicide risk is situated. 
R. Gabriela Barajas-Gonzalez is a developmental psychologist and an assistant professor of Population Health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Dr. Barajas-Gonzalez is the principal investigator of a study that examines the impact of immigration-related threat and stress on school communities. She earned a PhD in developmental psychology from Columbia University and hold a BA in human biology from Stanford University. Dr. Barajas-Gonzalez is the daughter of Mexican immigrants and a first gen college student.
Dr. Parra-Cardona is an Associate Professor in the Steve Hicks School of Social Work (SHSSW) at the University of Texas at Austin. At the SHSSW, he serves as Coordinator for Mexico and Latin American initiatives. He also serves as Area Director for Research at the UT Austin Latino Research Institute. Dr. Parra-Cardona’s program of research is focused on the cultural adaptation of evidence-based parenting interventions for low-income Latinx populations in the US and Latin America.
Bianka Reese, PhD, MSPH is a research scientist and program evaluator specializing in adolescent and young adult sexual and reproductive health. Her previous research in the experiences of Latinx LGBTQ+ youth stems from her work as the Research and Evaluation Manager at SHIFT NC (Sexual Initiatives For Teens), where she led largescale evaluations of multilevel, community-based sexual health promotion initiatives and research projects aimed at elevating the voices of diverse youth in North Carolina. Dr. Reese is currently the Senior Research Strategist at Creative Research Solutions, LLC, an award-winning national evaluation, research, and assessment firm.
Tania Connaughton-Espino, MPH is an independent researcher focused on adolescent and young adult sexual and reproductive health. Her interest in the experiences of Latinx LGBTQ+ youth stems from her previous work with SHIFT NC (Sexual Initiatives For Teens), where she led the training and evaluation department, conducted capacity-building workshops for youth serving professionals including on the topic of how to be more affirming of LGBTQ youth, and from her extensive experience working with the Latinx population in NC.
Maru Gonzalez, EdD is an Assistant Professor and Youth Development Specialist in the Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences at North Carolina State University. Her areas of inquiry include youth development with a focus on activism, social justice, and the experiences of LGBTQ+ young people across familial, school, and community contexts. 
Nayeli Y. Chavez-Dueñas, PhD
Hector Y. Adames, PsyD