ABOUT US
Standing in Solidarity With CRISPAZ
Hope For Paz emerged as a network of solidarity with universities all across America, including Fordham University, John Carroll University, and St. Joseph's University. We are banding together to raise funds that will go directly to CRISPAZ. We are sharing in-depth testimonials so that the whole world will understand the importance of CRISPAZ’S work and that it MUST continue. CRISPAZ’s work is essential to becoming a global citizen, inspiring a passion for non-violence and human rights. CRISPAZ has given us so much and we believe the bridges of solidarity they are building are extremely important and they must continue. Please, stand in solidarity with Hope for Paz and CRISPAZ. Have courage because your heart will be broken. Have courage that it will mend again. Have the courage to be ruined for life. Contact us to learn more and get involved.
VILMA FERMIN
Reflection Coordinator
Vilma is a recent graduate of Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where she majored in Communication Studies. She is originally from the Bronx, NY and has a passion for social justice. Through the SJU Winter Immersion program she traveled to El Salvador and was able to foster relationships with the community members that she continues today. The communities in El Salvador and CRISPAZ strengthened her desire to work in advocacy and explore what it means to have a faith that does justice. This year she will be completing a year of service with Amate House in Chicago. She hopes that people will take time to learn about CRISPAZ and the impact they have on people around the world.
LESLIE UMANZOR
History & Culture Content Curator
Leslie is a senior at Fordham University Lincoln Center in New York City, studying philosophy, political science and is a pre-law student. She is originally from Northern Virginia right outside of Washington DC and hopes to make NYC her permanent home. Leslie has always been passionate about social justice issues and throughout her time at Fordham, has volunteered with political campaigns and community outreach organizations that focus on socioeconomic equality. She is currently an intern at Berger Hirschberg Strategies and is the Communications organizer for the Global Outreach program at Fordham. In the summer of 2019, she went to Ghana with Fordham's Global Outreach program where she and her peers partnered with PACE Ghana. Leslie wanted to find a way to get more involved with the Salvadoran community because her father is originally from El Salvador and fled to the United States during the Civil War. After learning about CRISPAZ and the amazing work they do through her peers at Fordham, Leslie knew she wanted to spread the organization's mission with her community in NYC.
MADDIE HILF
CRISPAZ Partner Liaison & Facebook Content Curator
Maddie is a junior at Fordham University Lincoln Center in New York City, studying music and film. Originally from Pittsburgh, she plays piano, guitar, and violin, is passionate about social justice, and loves traveling and learning languages. She is involved in the University Choir and A Cappella group and proudly serves on the Global Outreach Executive Board. Through the Fordham Global Outreach program, she traveled to El Salvador this past January 2020, hosted so graciously by CRISPAZ. The experience was extremely meaningful and she is so grateful to have had the opportunity. She hopes that other students in the future will be able to learn from CRISPAZ and connect within Salvadoran communities.
SIENA MAYER-COSTA
Social Media & Outreach Content Creator
Siena is a 2020 Fordham graduate, she's constantly growing and learning, and a big crocheting fan.Â
Siena is a content creator and curator for Hope For Paz. This initiative would not have been possible without her dedication.
CHRIS KERRANE
Fundraising Liaison & Website Content Curator
Chris is a junior at Fordham University studying finance on the pre-law track. He visited El Salvador in January of 2020 and had a once in a lifetime experience that he wants others to be able to have for many years to come. Chris is our fundraising liaison with CRISPAZ and helps maintain the Hope For Paz website.
JULIE WHITMORE
Facebook Content Curator
Julie is a recent graduate of John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio where she studied political science and entrepreneurship. She is from Cleveland and loves to read, run, cook new recipes for friends and family, and explore new places and cultures. Through the John Carroll Immersion program, she was a leader for the trip to El Salvador and the US/Mexico border in January 2020 where she learned about issues surrounding immigration, war, and social justice. In El Salvador, CRISPAZ served as a guide and the reason why Julie is grateful to have met such passionate, kind, and welcoming people and heard their significant stories. She hopes that people through this campaign will be able to learn about the necessary work that CRISPAZ is implementing and their impactful influence on El Salvador and the rest of the world.
PAITYN NICOLOSI
Instagram Content Curator
Paityn is a student at John Carroll University studying Psychology and Spanish. One of her memorable CRISPAZ moments was climbing the mountain in Chaletenango and going into the shelters where refugees stayed during the war. Paityn curates content for our Instagram.
ALLEYAH ALLY
Website Content Curator
Alleyah is a sophomore at Fordham College at Lincoln Center in NYC studying political science and history. She has a passion for social justice and currently serves on the Global Outreach Executive Board, the program at Fordham that partnered with CRISPAZ and made her experience in El Salvador possible. She wholeheartedly believes that CRISPAZ's work is valuable and must continue. Alleyah maintains the website for Hope For Paz.