Annual Report 2024
MOVING TOGETHER TOWARD HEALING, JOY AND JUSTICE.
LETTER FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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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.
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
IMPACT
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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:
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Heels – José Arzón, KLJ Movement
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Bomba – La Escuelita Bombera de Corazón
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Bellydance and Meditation – Natalia Armacanqui
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Somatic Movement – Marcela Kyngesburye
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Turn Up – Jacquelyne Garcia
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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.”
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.
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Outreach: Manifestation Denim 2024, Resource fairs, radio program
FINANCES
BOARD MEMBERS
Nicole Sandoval​
PRESIDENT
Sara Sánchez Santana
VICE PRESIDENT
Cecilia Goldschmidt
TREASURER
Lourdes Shanjani
Leslie Walker
DIRECTOR
PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS
