Get Inspired with #HispaFam - April 2025 Newsletter
“Value yourself as you are, love yourself as you are! Don’t forget—you are part of this grand display of color this season and the ones to come.”
-Dra. Nidia Medina, CEO, Hispanic Family Counseling, Inc.
Reflection April 2025
It’s a season of openness, where nature—with its display of beauty and simplicity—calls for our attention. And how much we need to pause and simply enjoy the color show, feel the gentle breeze, hear the sound of laughter, and breathe deeply as a gesture of gratitude.
When you see the colorful display nature gives us this season, what do you relate it to? Have you given meaning to these colors? If not, let me tell you what they mean to me. The colors speak to me of purity, joy, celebration, simplicity, nobility, blessings, tenderness, rest, harmony, peace, hope, reflection, and so much more. And you may wonder—do they only evoke positive things for me? No, I don’t lose sight of life’s difficult moments, but colors remind me that I can recover from each one when I choose to focus on the beautiful, the sublime, and the simple—expressed in every bud, every flower, every leaf, and every color.
I encourage you to see yourself reflected in every bud, every leaf, every flower, and in the colorful exhibition this season gives us. This can be a reflection of times of waiting, of growth, of change—but ultimately of beauty, simply because you are you. Value yourself as you are, love yourself as you are! Don’t forget—you are part of this grand display of color this season and the ones to come. The colors of this season are nature’s joyful laughter, inviting you to enjoy and laugh along with it.
Without you, it wouldn’t be the same! 🌸
“I believe that a legacy of love is what truly transcends us. Love for God, our family, our friends, our community, our work… and also self-love.”
-Denisse Centeno-Lamas, LCSW
Founder & President, Hispanic Family Counseling, Inc.
Words from our Founder
Today, April 8th, marks two years since my dad passed away.
Interestingly, just yesterday Dr. Medina spoke to us about legacy and invited us to reflect on our own. We watched a video, and I couldn’t help but think of him. Because if anyone ever taught me what it means to leave a legacy, it was my dad.
He was something else. A humble man, a rare kind of Christian, an exemplary father, my confidant, my best friend. The greatest human being I’ve ever known. What a tremendous privilege it was to be his daughter. Everything I am today, without a doubt, I owe to him.
And I am part of his legacy. That’s why I strive every day to be a better person: so that his legacy lives on. But I also ask myself: If I don’t have children, do I still have a legacy?
The answer is yes.
Legacy isn’t limited to having children. I believe that a legacy of love is what truly transcends us. Love for God, our family, our friends, our community, our work… and also self-love.
Even though it sounds beautiful, loving those who have hurt us is not an easy task. Forgiveness is not a quality that comes naturally to me—it's something I have to work on every single day.
I remember that after the Pulse tragedy, five strong yet kind-hearted women and I founded Somos Orlando, together with the Hispanic Federation. I admit that vicarious trauma hit me hard back then, and eventually, I had to step back from the services we were offering because I was no longer able to function mentally or emotionally. It wasn’t a good moment in my life, and I didn’t leave in the best way.
Recently, I ran into two of those women at an advocacy event for our community. I felt the need to ask for their forgiveness. Was it easy? No. Was it necessary? Absolutely. Not just for them, but for me too. That act freed me. It was part of continuing to build a legacy of love.
Because legacy isn’t something we do once and that’s it. It’s something we build day by day.
A single mistake can stain our legacy—a moment of anger, an unmeasured word, an impulsive action… What will people remember about us?
I want to leave a legacy of love. Of service. Of healing. Of help.
And you? What kind of legacy do you want to leave?
May we build a legacy of hope each day, so that future generations can learn from us… and carry it forward.
With peace, hope, and love,
Denisse
HispaFam at the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP) Event
Our intern, Saraí Sanaicela, represented #HispaFam alongside other collaborators at an event organized by ISAP. This program aims to support immigrants under supervision, connecting them and their families with essential local resources.
During the event, we provided information about our mental health services and community support, reinforcing our commitment to the immigrant community and their well-being.
#HispaFam #SaludMental #MentalHealth #ImmigrantSupport #ISAP #CommunityWork #ApoyoMigrante #ISAP #TrabajoComunitario
Soul Shop Training Unites 38 Latin American Leaders in Westchester, NY
This weekend, our founder, Denisse Centeno, was in Westchester, New York, where 38 leaders from various Latin American countries were trained at Soul Shop for Hispanic Churches.
Together, we continue planting hope, strengthening communities, and reminding the world that no one is alone.
The transformation starts here!
#HispaFam #SoulShop #SpiritualGrowth #TransformandoVidas #NoEstasSolo #HopeForAll #FeEnAccion
Total pride at the Annual Field Awards 2025 at UCF!
This event recognized the valuable contributions of students and agencies in the field of social work , highlighting individuals and organizations that inspire with their dedication and commitment.
We are honored to have been present alongside leaders who represent us with excellence:
Denisse Centeno, Founder
Dr. Nidia Medina, CEO
Kiara Serrano, Internship Supervisor
Thank you to @UCF for celebrating the impact of social work in our communities and providing us with this space for inspiration. We move forward with even more strength than ever!
#HispaFam #FieldAwards2025 #TrabajoSocial #UCF #OrgulloDeEquipo #ImpactoComunitario
If you want to learn more about our work and impact on communities, follow us on our social media platforms.
➡️ Read the new blog post: The Quiet Power of Everyday Impact: How Small Actions Nurture Mental Health
In a world that often celebrates big achievements and grand gestures, we can easily overlook the quiet power of small, everyday acts. But in the realm of mental health, it’s these subtle moments—often unnoticed—that can have the most profound and lasting impact.
At Hispanic Family Counseling, we understand that healing doesn't always come in loud breakthroughs. Sometimes, it comes in a smile. A phone call. A kind word. A moment of patience. These small gestures might seem insignificant at the time, but to someone struggling with anxiety, grief, or depression, they can feel like a lifeline.
Daily Kindness Can Change a Life
You don’t have to be a therapist to support someone’s mental health. Listening without judgment, offering encouragement, or simply being present can speak volumes. When we show up for others in small ways, we are planting seeds of hope, connection, and trust.
It could be:
- Checking in on a friend who has been quiet lately.
- Giving your full attention when someone is sharing something difficult.
- Encouraging a co-worker who seems overwhelmed.
- Practicing compassion with yourself when you make a mistake.
Each of these moments creates emotional safety—and over time, that safety becomes the foundation for healing and resilience.
Our Cultural Strength: Community
In Latino communities, we are rooted in togetherness. Family, community, and spirituality are pillars of strength. These values align beautifully with the concept of everyday impact. When we use our culture to uplift one another—through food, music, storytelling, or prayer—we support not just emotional wellness, but cultural pride and belonging.
You don’t have to be loud to be powerful. Your quiet support may be the reason someone makes it through a hard day.
You Matter—And So Do Your Actions
Never underestimate the ripple effect of your presence. You may never know how much your kindness, your patience, or your encouragement meant to someone—but trust that it mattered.
At Hispanic Family Counseling, we’re here to remind you: even in your smallest moments, you are making a difference.
Let’s continue to uplift each other, one act of quiet power at a time.
If you or someone you know needs support, don’t wait. Reach out today.
Our compassionate, bilingual team is here to walk with you on your journey toward healing and hope.
📞 Call us!
📍 Find us at one of our convenient locations across Central Florida
You are not alone. We’re here—because your mental health matters.
By: Sheila Burgos
➡️ Read the new blog post: Persistence and new beginnings!
Persistence is defined by the Royal Spanish Academy as “the action and effect of persisting.” This means there are two key words in its definition: action and effect. What important words! When we are persistent and take action with the determination to continue fighting for our dreams or for that which we have defined as our goal, our efforts will have an effect—one in which we will see results. Every action we take will have an effect, so let’s make sure our actions are positive and focused on the outcome we want to achieve.
Recently, I was gifted a beautiful rose, with lovely new buds. The rose is in the process of adapting to a new garden—a new environment for her. During this process, it weakened a bit, but it has remained persistent, and its buds are learning to adapt. Through this journey, it has remained strong, even with the changes in weather it has had to endure in the garden. It has continued to persevere and has experienced new beginnings—new buds alongside it that have blossomed in the middle of the process. What caught my attention is that one of its buds bloomed so brightly and beautifully (the one in the image). In its process of adaptation, it was strong, persistent, and that helped it grow with strength. In the midst of the process, it experienced having the most beautiful and radiant buds!
How interesting—plants also go through processes. They too practice persistence, in order to bloom even during difficult times, just like my beautiful rose.
In life, as human beings, we will experience joyful seasons, difficult seasons, seasons of celebration, and seasons of personal growth. However, just like my beautiful rose, in the process we will see the best of ourselves—we will shine, and we will be able to keep going, knowing that every action we take is meaningful. If we are persistent, just as she is in her process, if we stay strong even in the midst of whatever we’re facing, we will bloom and see the best in ourselves. Persistence reminds us that every process in life comes with learning, but also with new seasons.
Thank you for existing. Let’s keep moving forward on our journey called life!
- By: Celibeth Rodriguez
Yamira Ayala, Psy.D., LMHC, Clinical Supervisor
Yamira was born in Puerto Rico. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in psychology and then pursued her Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology in the Pontifical Catholic University of PR. Her doctoral dissertation was directed to the Mental health of the Chronic Pain Population who are commonly impacted by their symptoms and usually misunderstood. In 2009 Yamira relocated to Florida and started working in a Backer Act unit offering support to children and adolescents going through difficult times. Later, she started working as a therapist offering services at school, home, and in office. Yamira has had the pleasure of working in different agencies where she has gain experience and training in MATCH and Trauma Focus CBT. Yamira is currently a Licensed Mental Health Counselor that has worked with a variety of mental health challenges including but not limited to Anxiety, Depression, ADHD, Autism, Trauma, Impulse Control, and Mood Disorders. Yamira believes that everyone should give themselves the opportunity to heal, grow and become the reason for their own happiness
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