Esther Contreras

A proud first-generation Latina originally from Aurora, Illinois, since 2006, Esther E. Contreras now calls McHenry County, Illinois her home. She is a graduate of McHenry County College, where she received her Associates in Science in 2018. Raised by two hard working immigrant parents, Esther grew up speaking Spanish at home, shaping her fluency in English and Spanish and a deep connection to her roots.

As she grew up, Esther saw firsthand the struggles and needs in the Latine community, especially with her Spanish speaking peers. Motivated to make a difference, she helped initiate an after-school program for grade school students, so language would no longer be an obstacle to complete their homework and excelling academically. Esther’s commitment to supporting low-wage immigrant families led her to work with Community Health Partnership of Illinois as a promoter for health education and community resources.

Esther joined the Farmworker and Landscaper Advocacy Project-FLAP, as an outreach assistant in 2021, and through her dedication and leadership, worked her way up to her current role as a Bilingual Manager of Community Outreach and Education in 2026. Prior to this role, she held several positions within the organization, including Bilingual Community Outreach and Education Coordinator in late 2021, Bilingual Referrals and Outreach Education Coordinator in 2022, Bilingual Community Outreach and Education Supervisor at the beginning of 2023, and Bilingual Community Outreach and Education Specialist by late 2023. In her current role, she provides Know Your Rights education and resources to low-wage immigrant, migrant, and seasonal workers. She also supports FLAP programs in advancing the organization’s mission to improve working conditions and opportunities, supervises team members, and serves as the organization’s point of contact for interns, fellows, and volunteers.

Esther’s passion for advocating for workers’ rights comes from her own lived experiences. Growing up, she witnessed how the lack of resources and information affected families like hers, inspiring Esther to become a source of support for her low-wage community. Throughout her time at FLAP, Esther has taken initiative on numerous projects. She has supervised summer high school interns, teaching them leadership, organizational, and professional workplace skills.

Esther has successfully led various FLAP grant efforts, completes annually Migrant Law trainings, has served as an Illinois COVID-19 ambassador since 2021, and represents FLAP with Coalitions. Esther impact is extensive, supporting attorneys with litigation, leading the FLAP Immigration Legal Clinic, conducting around more than 7,000 Know Your Rights presentations, distributing more than 20,000 educational materials, supporting approximately 2,661 referrals, completing about 1,635 accompaniments, and assisted with more than 70 dual citizenship process. Esther is bilingual in English and Spanish.

The gratitude Esther receives from the workers she services continues to fuel her commitment to educating and empowering low-wage communities so they can understand and exercise their rights.