Luisa Fernandez’s life changed forever in 2015, when she was vacationing with her family in Fitchburg.
The situation in her home country of Venezuela had become increasingly frightening. The need to keep her family safe and seek freedom compelled Fernandez to make this country her family’s new home. She started from scratch, had to double up living arrangements with a family member, didn’t speak English, and was unsure of where to begin. Despite facing significant difficulties, she and her family set ambitious goals for themselves and pursue their American dream, which to Fernandez means making a difference by helping others in the Fitchburg community. At Fitchburg Public Schools, she creates and facilitates programs for parents and children, building strong relationships between the school system and the community. She developed a community resource guide for families, including information on food assistance, housing support, shelter options, and health care. She coordinates free English classes for adults, helping around 100 citizens at a time improve their communication skills. Outside of the school system, she collaborated with the Fitchburg Art Museum to create the Fitchburg Families First program, providing food and toys during the winter months to families in need. In the community, she is the president of Inform Fitchburg and serves on boards for nonprofits like Fitchburg Art Museum, NewVue Communities, and the Spanish American Center.
Would you rather time travel back to meet your ancestors or your descendants? Every history has a beginning, and I would love to know and understand mine.
