2024 Annual Report

Annual Report 2024

MOVING TOGETHER TOWARD HEALING, JOY AND JUSTICE.

LETTER FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dear Friends and Community Members,

As I look back on 2024, I am filled with gratitude and pride for all that we accomplished together. This year reaffirmed the strength of our community and the power of collective healing.

At UNIDOS, we remain committed to creating spaces where Latine and immigrant survivors can find safety, connection, and hope. Through Bailando el Corazón, we explored dance and movement as tools for healing and joy. Our collaboration with artist Lelia Byron invited community members to share their stories, inspiring a mural that reflects our resilience and diversity. With Roots 4 Change, families experienced a restorative day in nature, learning techniques for emotional balance. We also launched a financial literacy pilot for Spanish-speaking women, empowering participants to build financial confidence and independence.

In 2024, our outreach expanded through 19 community events, the Manifestación Denim and Denim Day initiatives, and our ongoing radio partnership with La Movida Radio Station. Six programs were aired on topics such as consent, teen dating violence, and language access rights, continuing our mission to educate, connect, and empower.

Our support groups, Mujeres Adelante and Reunidos, continued to offer spaces of reflection and growth, helping participants strengthen their relationships with themselves and others.

I want to thank our staff, volunteers, partners, and supporters for making this work possible. Your trust and collaboration allow us to keep growing and responding to the needs of our community. Together, we are building a future rooted in healing, justice, and belonging.

With gratitude,
Virginia Gittens Escudero

WHY OUR WORK MATTERS

Violence does not discriminate, but access to safety, support, and justice often does. Across Wisconsin, Latine and immigrant survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking face unique barriers to getting help. These include language access, fear of deportation, cultural stigma, and systemic exclusion.

UNIDOS breaks through those barriers. We provide bilingual, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed services that many mainstream systems cannot offer. As violence increases and resources decrease, our work is not only necessary – it is life-saving.

Domestic Violence Deaths Rise

In 2023, 85 people died from domestic violence-related incidents in Wisconsin. This was the second-highest total in more than two decades.

Funding Cuts Hurt Survivors

Federal funding cuts are reducing services for survivors while demand continues to rise across the state.

Human Trafficking in Wisconsin

In 2024, Wisconsin identified over 180 victims of human trafficking. Many cases involved Latine survivors who are often overlooked.

Culturally Specific Support

UNIDOS is one of the only culturally specific organizations in Wisconsin offering free, bilingual support to Latine survivors in more than 20 counties.

Sources

BY THE NUMBERS

574 Calls answered through
the LA RED Helpline

273 Community members participated in programs

134 New clients intakes completed

2614

Individuals
served

OUR 2024 PROGRAMMING

In 2024, UNIDOS continued creating spaces for healing, connection, and empowerment within the Latine and immigrant community. Through Bailando el Corazón, participants explored dance and movement as ways to express emotions and strengthen community bonds. Our collaboration with artist Lelia Byron invited community members to share their stories and creativity, inspiring a mural that celebrates diversity and resilience.

In partnership with Roots 4 Change, families and staff enjoyed a restorative day at SnapDragon Farm & Stables, connecting with nature and learning strategies for stress relief and emotional balance. We also launched a financial literacy pilot program for Spanish-speaking women, helping participants build confidence and skills to manage their finances.

Our support groups, Mujeres Adelante and Reunidos, continued offering safe spaces for reflection, healing, and personal growth, fostering stronger and more connected communities.

SUPPORT GROUPS

Mujeres adelante (Women forward)

During the year, two sessions of the Mujeres Adelante support group were held in the spring and fall, with a total of 12 participants. The sessions were facilitated by Lucía Ledesma, Associate Director, and Virginia Gittens Escudero, Executive Director of UNIDOS. Throughout these gatherings, participants explored key topics that promote personal and community well-being, including emotions and feelings, healthy relationships, consent, and identity.

Reunidos (Reunited)

The men’s group, Reunidos, met during two periods throughout the year.

During the first series in the spring, participants explored their emotions through art and painting across six sessions. Led by local Guatemalan artist Richie Morales, each session focused on a specific emotion, providing space for discussion, reflection, sharing, and creative expression.

In the fall, the group reconvened for a second series of eight sessions facilitated by Fernando Cano Ospina and Esteban Estevez from RISE Wisconsin, together with social worker Roberto Godínez. These sessions covered a variety of topics, including physical health, nutrition, mental health (somatic movement and mindfulness), parenting and partnership, healthy relationships, and emotional expression through art.

CONNECTING WITH OUR COMMUNITY

Art and Community Collaboration

In early 2024, UNIDOS was approached by Lelia Byron, an interdisciplinary artist recognized for her work in painting, sculpture, murals, installations, and public art. Lelia expressed interest in collaborating with our organization to create a community-centered mural.

Her artistic practice focuses on integrating the voices and imaginations of local communities. In alignment with this vision, we convened members and collaborators to participate in a series of creative sessions. Together, we shared experiences, drawings, and written reflections that will serve as inspiration for the final artwork.

This collaborative process celebrates the diversity, resilience, and shared stories of our community.

Partnering for Healing and Connection

In summer 2024, UNIDOS partnered with Roots 4 Change (R4C),

the first immigrant-led cooperative in Dane County dedicated to promoting health and well-being.

Together, we organized an experiential activity with horses designed to give families a restorative break from their daily routines. Participants from both UNIDOS and R4C spent a day at SnapDragon Farm & Stables, engaging in activities that fostered stress management, emotional self-regulation, and connection with nature and animals.

This meaningful experience was made possible through the generous support of the Violence Prevention Unit of Public Health Madison & Dane County.

EDUCATIONAL AND HEALING PROGRAMMING

Bailando el Corazón (Dancing the Heart)

A New Initiative to Heal Through Dance and Movement

In summer 2024, UNIDOS launched Bailando el Corazón, a new initiative offering free dance sessions in Spanish for clients and the broader community. This program was designed to expand healing spaces by using dance and movement as pathways to emotional expression, self-connection, and collective well-being.

Over the course of five consecutive weekends, participants gathered at different locations across Madison to explore a variety of dance genres and movement techniques that encouraged a deeper connection between body, mind, and community.

The sessions included:

Heels – José Arzón, KLJ Movement
Bomba – La Escuelita Bombera de Corazón
Bellydance and Meditation – Natalia Armacanqui
Somatic Movement – Marcela Kyngesburye
Turn Up – Jacquelyne Garcia

We extend our sincere gratitude to all the instructors for sharing their expertise and passion for dance, and for highlighting the powerful link between movement, emotion, and cultural identity. We also thank all participants for joining us in this celebration of healing, connection, and joy through dance.

“I really enjoyed connecting with my body and getting to know it better. In one of the activities I could feel the energy of my body. It's a very nice experience.”

“Since I moved from PR to the US (2018) I wasn't around any pump events. This is my first event in years and it helped me reconnect and breathe something I needed badly. Please I hope you will repeat it.”

Finanzas para mujeres: Controla tu dinero

Empowering Financial Independence

In fall 2024, UNIDOS launched a pilot program on financial literacy designed specifically for Spanish-speaking women.

In collaboration with UW Credit Union, Workers Justice Wisconsin, and the Latino Chamber of Commerce, we offered a five-session course covering key topics such as Starting a Business and Understanding Pay Stubs. These classes provided participants with practical knowledge to navigate financial systems with confidence and to strengthen their economic independence.

The community’s enthusiastic response underscored the strong demand for accessible, culturally relevant financial education. Building on this success, we plan to expand the program to include additional topics and resources that help participants develop a healthy and empowered relationship with money.

This initiative was made possible through the generous support of the Madison Community Foundation’s A Fund for Women grant.

"It was very educational, with accurate and precise information. It had great energy."

"Thank you for providing these spaces to become more informed and aware of our financial options."

OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT

In 2024, UNIDOS strengthened community connections through 19 outreach events across Madison, Monona, Fitchburg, and Sun Prairie.

Through Manifestación Denim and Denim Day with Raza United, we raised awareness about sexual assault and victim-blaming, promoting reflection, creativity, and solidarity with survivors.

Our partnership with La Movida Radio Station extended our reach to Spanish-speaking audiences statewide, airing six programs on topics such as teen dating violence, consent, victim support, human trafficking, restraining orders, and language access rights.

Together, these initiatives advanced UNIDOS’ mission of education, prevention, and empowerment.

Manifestación Denim 2024

UNIDOS continued its efforts to raise awareness about sexual assault and victim-blaming through two impactful initiatives: Manifestación Denim and Denim Day with Raza United.

The second edition of Manifestación Denim provided a meaningful space for reflection, art, and community solidarity with survivors of sexual violence. Remarks from UNIDOS leadership and Fitchburg Mayor Julia Arata-Fratta highlighted the importance of collective support and the ongoing fight against sexual harassment.

In partnership with Raza United from Madison East High School, Denim Day invited students to express messages of solidarity on denim fabric while learning about the history and significance of Denim Day. This initiative encouraged dialogue, creativity, and awareness within the school community.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all sponsors, partners, and participants whose commitment made these events possible.

UNIDOS Radio Program

In collaboration with La Movida Radio Station, UNIDOS continued its radio initiative, offering informative and accessible discussions on key issues affecting our community. Every two months, the program features a topic aligned with UNIDOS’ mission and a guest expert to guide the conversation.

In 2024, six radio segments were aired, covering a wide range of important themes: Teen Dating Violence;

“No Means No” – Understanding Sexual Violence and Consent; Victim Support Programs in Wisconsin; Human Trafficking Awareness; Restraining Orders in Wisconsin; and Your Right to Information in Your Language – Understanding Access to Interpreters, Translated Documents, and Bilingual Public Services.

Through this ongoing partnership, UNIDOS reaches Spanish-speaking audiences across Wisconsin, providing critical information, promoting prevention, and empowering individuals to seek help and exercise their rights.