Rising Together: How Juliana Lozano and Despierta Are Transforming Mental Health and Empowering Latina Women

When Juliana Lozano founded Despierta — which means Rise Up in Spanish — she wasn’t just building an organization. She was building what she once needed herself: a community that sees, supports, and uplifts the mental and emotional well-being of Charlotte’s Latina women and youth.

“I grew up in a house where we didn’t talk about mental health,” Juliana shares. “I experienced domestic violence and pregnancy at a young age and all of that drove me to seek support. Through that journey, I realized how limited culturally sensitive resources were for our community.”

As Founder and Executive Director, Juliana has shaped Despierta into a safe space for healing and empowerment. What began as a small initiative rooted in her own lived experience has grown into a multifaceted nonprofit addressing some of the most pressing needs in Charlotte’s immigrant and first-generation Latina community; from mental health and identity to domestic violence prevention and leadership development.

Meeting the Gaps in the Latina Community

When Juliana first started Despierta, she saw clear gaps: a lack of culturally competent providers, limited bilingual resources, and few spaces where Latina women and youth could explore identity and belonging.

“Many of us grew up, caught between two cultures, always searching for where we belong,” she says. “Despierta is about helping our youth feel confident in their own skin and proud of where they come from.”

That mission has expanded into several cornerstone programs:

Bonita Rising – Youth empowerment for grades 6–12, now serving over 200 students.
Bonita Mamá – Support for teen moms through a partnership with Crittenton.
Mujer Despierta – A community network for mothers and women, including single moms and survivors of domestic violence.
Domestic Violence Support Group (new pilot program) – Providing education, prevention, and safe healing spaces.

In total, Despierta has reached over 3,300 individuals, fostering a community built on trust, cultural pride, and collective strength.

From Healing to Empowerment

Juliana’s personal journey continues to shape every part of Despierta’s work. She speaks openly about how data and lived experience intersect: “One in three Latinas experience domestic violence. Mental health is still taboo, and I wanted to bring awareness to that. So I started by listening; hosting focus groups to understand what people needed. That became the framework for Despierta.”

Her leadership approach emphasizes listening to and lifting up others. The organization’s Teen Voice Committee gives young people a direct say in shaping programming, including new initiatives on digital safety and wellness, addressing cyberbullying and social media pressures.

Inspired by a recent experience, Despierta also plans to run a shoe campaign for youth, both during the holidays and back-to-school season, reminding families that community care can show up in small but powerful ways.

Leading with Heart

Leading a nonprofit that deals with trauma, mental health, and domestic violence can be emotionally taxing. Juliana is open about the challenges and the importance of taking care of herself, too.

Receiving a Women’s Impact Fund Spark Award last year was a turning point. “I was shocked when I got it,” she recalls. “It made me feel seen — as someone who’s working hard in the community. I even used part of it to travel to Egypt and see the Pyramids. That time for myself was so healing.”

Through the connections made via Spark, she also found partnership and support from other women leaders in Charlotte. “It can be lonely at the top,” she says. “Meeting other Spark Grant recipients reminded me that we’re not alone in this work. We’re all trying to make our community stronger.” One such connection with Karen Calder from Classroom Central even led to a collaboration between organizations. We love to see it!

Building a Pipeline of Latina Leaders

Today, Despierta’s team and interns, many from UNC Charlotte, represent the next generation of bilingual mental health professionals and social workers. “We’re creating a pipeline of future Latina leaders,” Juliana says proudly.

The results are already visible. One recent story stands out: a student who had been struggling in school due to bullying was connected to counseling through Despierta. Her mother, who had just left a domestic violence situation, also received wraparound services, including counseling and food assistance. “That’s the power of holistic, culturally competent care,” Juliana explains.

Paving the Way for Representation

Juliana is one of only a handful of Latina nonprofit leaders in the Charlotte region — a reality she hopes will change. “Nearly 30% of students in CMS identify as Latino,” she notes, “yet we still don’t have enough bilingual providers or Spanish-speaking leaders. Representation matters. We need to make services more accessible.”

She credits mentors like Sil Ganzó and Susana Gonzalez for inspiring her to lead with both courage and compassion. And she continues to remind herself, and others, that Latina leadership comes in many forms.

“Leadership doesn’t mean you have it all figured out,” she says. “It’s about showing up as your authentic self, with courage and with heart. Our culture, our resilience, the way we lift each other up; that’s leadership. When we lead with pride in who we are, we open doors for the ones coming after us.”

Looking Ahead

As Despierta grows, Juliana envisions expanding programs, deepening partnerships, and continuing to build trust with the community. Her dream is simple but powerful: to ensure every Latina woman and girl in Charlotte feels seen, supported, and celebrated.

“We belong. We have a place at the table,” she says. “And when our girls see that, when they see someone who looks like them leading, they know the sky truly is the limit.”