Our Team

Alexandra Sossa

Alexandra Sossa has more than 32 years of experience performing community outreach and education for very low-income Latinx immigrants. She has a long history of public service dating back to her work with coffee plantation workers in Colombia, where she also worked for nearly a decade with the Attorney General’s Office. She has educated low-income workers on their rights in the United States, Spain, and Colombia. While in Spain, Alexandra helped citizens of Mexico navigate through the Spanish legal system via the Mexican Embassy.

Ms. Sossa graduated from the University of Medellin School of Law, Colombia and is certificated as a bilingual Mediator at the Center for Conflict Resolution in Chicago, Illinois. She is alumni of the Center for Leadership Innovation and holds a Non-Profit Management certification from the University of Illinois at Chicago. In March of 2019, she was awarded the Foundation Award from the Illinois Human Rights Commission -IHRC-, to honor her commitment in promoting and cultivating women’s rights, freedom, and achievement in Illinois. In 2020 Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health publicly recognized her as Illinois COVID-19 Ambassadors for her efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by promoting and sharing critical information and resources thereby keeping communications across Illinois safe during these challenging times. In early September 2021, FLAP awarded Ms. Sossa its highest honor, the Beckman Farmworker Advocated of the year, for her more than two decades of leadership at FLAP. She presently sits on the Steering Committee of the Chicago Region Food System Fund, which responds to hunger and business disruption by bolstering the region’s communities and local food system.

 What makes Alexandra remarkable and, perhaps, unique in the non-profit world, is that she works on a personal basis with all those involved with FLAP. She first came to the organization in summer 2001 and since then, Alexandra has played an instrumental role in the success of the non-profit’s continued growth. Throughout her years of service with this organization, she has educated low-income immigrants about their rights in the United States, developed working relationships with more than 250 organizations, including law firms and foundations, in the USA, and has supported attorneys providing legal assistance to a countless number of very low-income immigrants, migrant and seasonal workers in the Illinois area. She has also written for several newspapers in Illinois, Spain, and Colombia, been interviewed by the media countless times and has been invited to speak at events by rotary clubs and other groups about issues that affect very low-income immigrant Latinx workers in the USA.

Her passion for addressing the needs of these workers, fighting human labor trafficking, wage theft and helping families stay together in the event of deportation by facilitating the process of getting dual citizenship for their children is immediately apparent when she speaks. She is a strident advocate for the very low-income Latinx population.

Under Alexandra’s leadership, FLAP has made a remarkable impact on the Illinois low-income Latinx community. Since its inception, FLAP has filed 210 cases on behalf of workers cheated of their wages-90 percent representing multiple workers- and has recovered almost 5.0 million dollars in back wages and damages. The organization has secured more than 2.6 million dollars in financial assistance to very low-income Latinx individuals in Illinois benefiting more than 25,000 family members. These distributions paid for families’ bills, groceries, housing, and utilities so workers could stay in their homes and keep their families fed.

Alexandra is dedicated to her craft and is truly committed to improving the working conditions for low-income Latinx workers across Illinois and the USA. She is a native Spanish speaker and is fluent in English.

Arely A. Anaya

Arely A. Anaya is a proud graduate of Northeastern Illinois University where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Global Studies. Arely is fluent in both English and Spanish and a first-generation Latina from the Lansing Village in Cook County. She developed her passion for helping her Latinx community after growing up seeing her single mother struggle financially and under unfair working conditions while employed in the food, homecare, landscape, and construction industries. Arely’s mother often shared stories with her and her siblings of being an undocumented farm worker in the 1980’s in Salinas, California and the injustices that workers still face. Those stories and the struggles she saw her mom in, inspired her to advocate and empower immigrant and low-wage workers.

For the past few years, Arely has volunteered with social justice efforts and in political campaigns to help uplift many issues that our communities face in the workplace and throughout our society. Her dedication derives from her hope to see all immigrant workers be treated with dignity and respect. She is determined to help and empower our immigrant community and fight for equality standing firm with that commitment!

As FLAP’s Bilingual Operations Manager, her responsibilities include managing the day-to-day operations of FLAP, grant goals, labor rights education, and providing resources to low-income Latinx immigrant, migrant, and seasonal workers in Illinois. Arely speaks, reads, and writes English and Spanish.

Esther E. Contreras

Esther E. Contreras is a first-generation Latina from Aurora, Illinois who currently lives in McHenry County, Illinois. Esther is a graduate of McHenry County College, where she received her Associates in Science. She continues to pursue her education at Aurora University working towards her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She was raised by two hard working immigrant parents who influenced the importance of keeping her origins by speaking Spanish, therefore she is bilingual and fluent in both English and Spanish.

Growing up, she saw the need among the Latinx community and the struggle between her Spanish speaking peers. She is self-motivated and determined to give back to her Latinx community. Esther took part in initiating a program for grade school students where a language would no longer be an obstacle to excel in their education. Additionally, she lived and witnessed the financial struggle her parents underwent with unfair working conditions. To make a difference due to the injustice people worked under she proudly took a position to work for Community Health Partnership of Illinois as a promoter.

Her aspirations are to use her fluency in Spanish and English, experience with bilingual translations, computer skills, and organizational abilities. She wants to help others understand and take advantage of their rights by law. Wherever Esther goes she will passionately and enthusiastically contribute and put to practice here in FLAP and continue advocating for her community as well. As FLAP’s Bilingual Community Outreach and Education Specialist, her responsibilities include community outreach and education and providing resources to low-income latinx immigrant, migrant, and seasonal workers in Illinois.

Yoselin Escalona

Yoselin Escalona is a first generation Latine that grew up in Lisle, DuPage County, IL. She presently lives in Aurora, Kane County, IL. Her work history ranges from working in the food industry, customer service, management experience, to assisting the Latine community on trying to achieve the dream of becoming homeowners. Yoselin graduated from First Institute Training and Management in 2014 where she obtained her certificate for Medical Office Assistant. 

As a child, Yoselin witnessed countless struggles that her mother and people in the community faced. Whether it was language barriers or lack of resources, she saw how these obstacles could prevent low-income individuals from reaching their full potential. From a young age, she felt a strong urge to help those around her break down these barriers and achieve their goals. Furthermore, she became an advocate for those in need. Yoselin developed her passion for helping the low income Latine community after growing up seeing family and loved ones struggle on a daily basis due to unfair treatment by their employers, language barriers that prevented them from being informed on their rights as workers. Yoselin was faced with these hardships herself when she was of age to work. After everything she experienced and seen others go through, she felt she needed to help support and help empower the immigrants and low income Latine workers. Yoselin’s passion for helping others has been a driving force in her life since childhood. Through translating, guiding, and advocating for those in need, she has made it her mission to break down barriers and improve the lives of those around her.

Yoselin firmly believes that everyone deserves a fair chance, and has made it a goal to fight for the rights of those who are often marginalized. She is always looking for ways to make a difference in the community. As a Bilingual Community Outreach and Education Coordinator, based in Aurora, IL, Yoselin assists FLAP in coordinating outreach events, facilitate interpretations for Spanish speaking clients, referring clients to community organizations, and delivering Know Your Rights Presentations virtually and in person. Through this position at FLAP, she looks forward to continuing to make a difference in the low-income community. Yoselin is fluent in both English and Spanish.

Adriana Hoyos

Adriana Maria Hoyos is a driven professional who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Communications from the Pontifical Bolivarian University in her hometown of Medellin, Colombia. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to expanding her knowledge in the areas of leadership, community work, and teamwork. Her journey began with her active involvement in AIESEC, a nonprofit organization that empowers young individuals to enhance their leadership skills through a range of practical experiences, including internships and volunteer opportunities.

Even during her university years, Adriana actively sought enriching experiences in community work. She played a crucial role in organizing “The Seminar on Environmental Policy and Legislation” led by the Ecological and Cultural Corporation Penca de Sábila, an environmental nonprofit focused on education and the promotion of alternative environmental management. Adriana’s university internship at the Medellín’s Metro, Colombia’s first mass transportation system, allowed her to educate the low-income community on the efficient use and proper care of the Metro system. Her dedication to her role exemplified her professionalism and commitment to public service.

In her position as Communications Coordinator at the Mayor’s Office in Bello in Colombia, Adriana worked closely with the mayor, spearheading health campaigns, educational initiatives, and impactful events for vulnerable communities. Her efforts significantly contributed to the well-being and improved quality of life of these communities. Additionally, Adriana served as the Head of Communications at ACTUAR Famiempresas, where she successfully organized educational and commercial events for the community. Her exceptional leadership skills led to the establishment of 250 microenterprises in low-resource areas of the Medellin city. Adriana also had the honor of leading the prestigious award ceremony for “The Family Entrepreneur of the Year” alongside the Colombian President.

Throughout her career, Adriana consistently prioritized forging connections with the community. In her role as Director of Communications at various shopping centers in Medellín, she spearheaded recreational, cultural, and educational events, fostering a sense of awareness and belonging within the local population towards their shopping centers.

Motivated by her proactive nature and the desire to provide a better future for her children, Adriana embarked on a journey to the United States. Since her arrival, she has dedicated her efforts to creating support networks and building meaningful friendships. Through her connections, she has engaged with organizations such as Between Friends, Hispanic Federation, and YWCA, all committed to making a positive impact in the community. For the past three years, Adriana has called Evanston, IL home. Her purpose is to give back to the community, reflecting the support and guidance she received when she arrived without family or friends. Adriana initially joined FLAP as Spanish Speaker Community Navigator. She has formed significant partnerships with several organization sharing the goal of making a lasting impact on the community she now calls home. Adriana is fluent in English and Spanish.

Carla Narvaez

Carla Narvaez is a bilingual first-generation Latina, born and raised in Blue Island, a suburb just south of the Chicago border. She now resides in Midlothian, also a Chicago suburb in Cook County, where she is raising her family and establishing roots in the community. Carla is a graduate of Northern Illinois University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She started her professional career in the legal field shortly after high school. After exploring other opportunities, she’s found her way back to her passion of labor and employment law and is excited to make a positive impact in the lives of many hardworking individuals, drawing on her deep personal connection to the community.

She’s a proud daughter of a homemaker and a factory worker who immigrated from Michoacán, Mexico. As the eldest daughter of a low-income household, Carla took on many responsibilities that were typically filled by parents, acting as liaison between her family and the English-speaking world. She witnessed the lack of resources and injustices faced by many Latine families due to fear and misinformation. This has fueled her passion for advocacy and empowerment in the community. She is driven by the memory of her hardworking father in each one of the stories she encounters.

Carla is well-equipped to provide resources to those who need them most, particularly those who work in farm labor, landscaping, restaurants and other essential and underrepresented industries. She’s committed to being a voice for those who are not able to speak for themselves, as her fluency in English and Spanish has been a valuable asset in her personal and professional life. She believes that language should never be a barrier to accessing essential services and is excited to ensure access to resources and information and let people know their rights.

Yudaisy Pascual

Yudaisy Pascual is a first Latina immigrant’s generation who understands the vulnerability and interpersonal issues that immigrants face in a new country. Her passion for helping people has increased since she started working as a case manager in a legal office in Chicago, where she connected low-wage Latinx with immigration, criminal defense, traffic and family’s attorneys. She is an alumni of Upwardly Global-Chicago and currently volunteers with this non-profit organization assisting immigrant professionals to rebuild their careers in the United States. She also holds a Business Negotiation Certificate from Harvard University.

Yudaisy moved to the United States as the ongoing socioeconomic crisis was deepening in Venezuela, her homeland, forcing her to flee the country due the instability to pursue advances on her professional path. She earned her law degree at Santa Maria University in Caracas, Venezuela and a Master’s Science Degree in Corporate Law from the Metropolitana University in Caracas, before joining the National Oil Company of Venezuela (PDVSA), where she worked for ten years. It was there where she acquired a broader understanding of the oil industry and its social impact in the economic development of Venezuela. She worked closely with the Board of Directors and the company subsidiary offices in Ecuador, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Brazil, and Colombia, helping to implement guidelines with local lawyers in each country.

As a Bilingual Case Administrator, Yudaisy supports FLAP by doing community outreach and education across Illinois and coordinating referrals. She speaks, reads, and writes English and Spanish.

Sasha Reyes

Sasha Reyes is a proud graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. She is a first-generation Latina who was raised on the south side of Chicago by two hard working parents. Growing up, Sasha’s primary language was Spanish; she has vivid memories of learning English before entering kindergarten and as such, she is bilingual and fluent in both English and Spanish.

Sasha has been committed to serving her community; as a young adult, she and a couple of classmates co-founded an after-school club at Whitney Young Magnet High School. At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a gender in the workplace class Sasha took opened her eyes to farm workers’ working conditions. During college, Sasha was then inspired to partake in a successful national campaign involving Trader Joe’s who was rightfully asked to pay farm workers merely one more penny per bucket of tomatoes that were harvested.

After graduating, Ms. Reyes joined First Defense Legal Aid. She worked as a bilingual Know Your Rights educator delivering workshops in English and Spanish under the supervision of attorneys.

Since Sasha could remember, when asked what profession she wanted to be a part of, She always responded with “I want to help people”. This mission she always carried with her in her heart wherever she went. Sasha is happily committed to continue advocating for her community in all capacities and is delighted that she can continue her Know Your Rights work at FLAP! As a Bilingual Advocacy and Intake Coordinator, she supports FLAP’s mission distributing important information to those that do not know their rights at work.

Jessica Rivas

Jessica Rivas was born and raised on the south side of Chicago to immigrant parents from Durango, Mexico. Her parents instilled in her the importance of practicing their Mexican traditions, customs, and language. Thus, she learned how to speak, write, and read Spanish before English. As a young child, she experienced the legal and social hardships many immigrant families encounter living in the shadows. From, accessing programs and services due to language, immigration status, and economic barriers. Both her parents taught her the importance of a strong work ethic and to always keep moving forward. Motivated by a sense of justice and in-conformity to the status quo, she’s committed to helping undocumented immigrants and their children thrive in their new communities and navigate their new surroundings by providing services and programming through language access. Jessica joined AmeriCorps (NCCC) in 2013, where she assisted multiple non-profits in the Midwest to build capacity in their programming and services. That same year, she was awarded the President’s Service Award for her outstanding commitment to volunteerism.

Advancing her career in the non-profit sector, she started working at YMCA of the USA (YUSA) supporting the New American Welcome Center (NAWC), which focused on helping newcomer immigrants integrate into their new communities, through direct services, inclusion programs, and community efforts. In 2018, she led a national campaign at YUSA known as Welcoming Week, where she coordinated multicultural bridge-building activities to bring the receiving and immigrant community together. Jessica designed and developed an immigrant youth portfolio, which included the creation of tools and resources in healthcare, advocacy, education, and employment access.

At FLAP, she will further the quality of life for LatinX workers by ensuring they receive equitable access to services and programs, by providing timely language assistance through her work as a Bilingual Operations and Finances Coordinator; she is fluent in English and Spanish.

Rosalinda Chavez

Rosalinda Chavez is a Community Navigator based in Kankakee County. Rosalinda is currently a first-generation college student and is studying to become a clinical social worker. As the daughter of Latine immigrants who migrated from Mexico, it has been Rosalinda’s passion to help the low-income Hispanic community. Throughout the past years years, Rosalinda has participated in numerous community programs including the state attorney’s office and a free clinic aimed at helping uninsured Hispanics. Rosalinda is also a founder of the “Club de Poder Latino Kankakee.”  

Nieves Ruiz

Nieves Ruiz developed her passion to help the Latinx community during her life experience in Cuba where she studied Economics at Havana University. Nieves shared the needs and constraints in her country with family and friends and was linked to aid programs to improve the quality of life in children and adults and also, donation projects. She had the opportunity to work for companies in Denver Colorado that allowed her to develop Marketing and Sales programs aimed at generating jobs and the possibility of studies. In the past years she created her own company in Cuba where the community could receive cultural programs, intellectual improvement of their physical condition. Nieves has worked directly with families in neighborhoods and schools with on-street sports programs and parks for children. At this time as Community Navigator, she helps supporting the Latinx community so their rights are respected and have a chance for income greater. She is an active representative of this community. Her responsibilities include daily review on the FLAP hotline and emails, assigning potential cases to the appropriate staff for follow up and delivering Know your Rights presentations virtually. Nieves is fluent in both English and Spanish.

Fidelia Salazar

Fidelia Salazar was born in Mexico and moved to the United States with the desire to improve herself and seek better opportunities. She worked in restaurants and factories while studying at Triton College and finished an English as a Second Language program, then she became heavily involved in outreach opportunities in Illinois’ immigrant communities. As a Community Navigator Contractor at FLAP, Fidelia conducts community outreach and distributes educational and Know Your Rights material to educate the Latinx community on their labor rights.

By doing contractor work at FLAP, she has learned that her work has been helping fill a gap of resources she’s seen in her Latinx community and all over Illinois. By doing outreach during the pandemic, Fidelia has learned just how important it is to inform the Latinx immigrant community about information and resources there are available to these communities. Her work has helped tackle the challenges of misinformation and disinformation in the Latinx community in Illinois. Fidelia enjoys knowing that, at the end of every day, she was able to at least empower and connect a worker with the right FLAP resources. Fidelia is Latina, a native Spanish speaker, speaks conversational English and lives in North Lake in Cook County.

Juan Esteban Zamarripa

Juan Esteban Zamarripa was born in Coahuila, Mexico. Due to the lack of opportunities, he was forced to immigrate to the United States, more than 22 years ago, in hopes of achieving the “American Dream’ currently residing in Chicago. He graduated from the Universidad Autonoma de Coahuila as a postgraduate public accountant, specializing in taxes and finances. Juan Esteban was raised by his two hard working parents who influenced the importance of performing an honorable job at all times. Seeing his mother’s will power encouraged him to always stand up for himself, accomplish his goals and dreams and evolved into an outstanding law-abiding citizen. 

At the young age of 6, Juan Esteban began to work as street vendor in order to help and support his large family. His work history ranges from working as a butcher, in the cleaning and restaurant industries and administrative services. As Juan Esteban left his family and roots for a better living in the U.S., he underwent many injustices where his labor rights were violated and was taken advantage of. Therefore, it is essential to Juan Esteban to educate his Latinx community informing them that they have labor rights disregarding their status of immigration.

His hopes are that all worker’s efforts are respected and honored. To begin making a difference, Juan Esteban proudly began working as a Community Navigator Contractor at FLAP where his endeavor and dedication promoted him as Community Navigator Coordinator Contractor. His job consists of delivering Know Your Rights presentations and Community Outreach and Education material with information and resources throughout the state of Illinois. Juan Esteban coordinates the Community Navigators team. Juan Esteban is native Spanish speaker, speaks conversational English and currently resides in West Lawn in Chicago, IL.

Mary Beth Abascal

Mary Beth Abascal, CPA has over thirty years of experience in the field of accounting.  She started her career as an auditor at Deloitte and was there for ten years. The next phase of her career was working as a small business controller and financial services manager until she finally found her true passion providing bookkeeping and accounting services to small business clients in both the for profit and not for profit sectors since 2001. Mary Beth has served Nonprofit entities since she was an auditor. She lives in Lake County, IL with her husband, son and three dogs. 

Arlo Chapple

Arlo Chapple is a Development and Communications Coordinator Consultant at FLAP. He works with the Board of Directors and Executive Director implementing the organization’s development and communications plan. Arlo has a passion for helping the Latino low-income immigrant community. At FLAP, he helps the organization grow and tell the story of the important work it does to improve working conditions in Illinois.

Arlo graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Rochester in 2007 with a concentration in English and Creative Writing. Following graduation, he worked for a small manufacturer, working to make sustainable, eco-friendly skateboards. After that, using his hand-on knowledge of building, and his love for writing, Arlo helped create a variety of educational exhibits for nature centers and history centers in Illinois and Wisconsin.

In 2017, after premiering an exhibit that Arlo helped write, the Grand Army of the Republic Museum in Aurora, Illinois, won a state award for Small Institute of the Year.  

Arlo speaks, reads, and writes English and speaks conversational Spanish.

Arthur S. Gunn

Robert Marovich

Robert M. Marovich is completing grant applications, drafting grant proposals, letters of inquiry, government grants, and associated written material for the FLAP Executive Director’s review and submission, he also has experience with strategic planning.