About Us

Lazos Al Futuro was founded in 2015 when sisters Yarlennys Villaman and Katiuska Fernandez traveled from the US back to their native town Luperon, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Meeting with the local youth, Villaman and Fernandez realized there were no organized programs for the youth to network, learn, and grow.  Villaman and Fernandez decided to provide the support for the youth by creating Lazos Al Futuro, or in English, Ties to the Future

Lazos Al Futuro is supporting the youth financially with scholarships for the entire academic year, providing counseling and mentorship, holding empowering retreats, running summer camps, and much more. Additionally, our offices allow volunteers to help deliver these services in a safe space for our youth. With your help, we can continue to improve the lives of these youth even more. We strongly believe that change begins with us. 

Our Team

U.S. Staff

Glennys Acosta, CEO, President, and Executive Director

Katiuska Fernandez, Co-Founder & Director of Strategic Initiatives

Yarlennys Villaman, Co-Founder & Program Director 

Jessica Clergeau, Finance Director

Dominican Republic Volunteer Staff 

Delia Altagracia Díaz, Operations Director

Gabriel Pichardo - Financial Director

Milenia De La Rosa, Camp Coordinator

Carolin Vásquez, Youth Coordinator

Yoesel Pichardo - Medical Director

Board 

Andrew Cornell  - Chairman

Geneve Allison

Emmanuella Prudent

Melissa McWhitney

David Valdez

Monica Young

Vladimir Mazarin