MFOFC knows that parents and individuals across our state work hard everyday to make positive change for people with disabilities in their communities and beyond. These are people just like you and I who are imagining better and then making their ideas happen.
We are honored and excited to introduce you to Sagrario Guerrero! Sagrario is a new member of our board of directors, and we can’t wait to see what she brings to the table! You can read her bio on our board page.
Hometown: Santo Domingo, Republica Dominicana
Current neighborhood/Town: Lowell, MA.
Who makes up your family unit?
My two sons and I.
Any pets?
I don’t have pets, but I would love to have a sweet and cuddly dog.
Who did you want to be when you grew up?
The first years of life, I wanted to be a teacher, but over the years I changed my mind. I would have liked to be a doctor.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
I love the stories about the past centuries. I like to see motivational stories with dramas.
What is your favorite self-care activity?
I think silence, prayer, and walking.
What is the last thing you laughed at?
At myself. I AM a comedy!
What’s your greatest/biggest struggle right now?
My biggest struggle is that I don’t have the freedom to do the things I would like. Transportation. my financial issues and my fears about my father. He had a stroke in 2017. He is bed-bound and needs assistance. To know that I may not be able to tell him how much I love him and that although he was very strict with me everything, that also helped me to be who I am today.
What would you tell your younger self?
Wow, I’ve always wanted to do that. If I could go back into the past, I would say to myself: Trust your instinct, it does not fail.
What’s the best advice you ever got?
That the people who come into our lives is for a special reason and from all of this, we learn something.
What gets you on your soapbox?
I love talking about the legislation and how the laws work.
Empowerment and stories of personal improvement
What MFOFC trainings have you participated in & what was your biggest take away?
Advocacy Bootcamp, Family Leadership Series, and the Advanced Family Leadership Series.
How has it impacted your family to become a leader?
It has been the best decision made in recent years to be part of these trainings. It is so important to know and understand the processes that our families with special needs must direct to achieve their life goals and personal goals.
How has becoming a leader impacted your family
From the first day of the training, it was wonderful to put into practice the skills and knowledge I learned to be my own advocate for my family.
Tell us what you’re working on now.
I am currently a MFOFC Board Member. I am collaborating with the Latin families of Lowell and Lawrence through the Foundation Changing the World with People with Disabilities.
I am always engaging in advocacy for my family.
When did you get involved in your current advocacy project?
I believe that the tools that Massachusetts Families Organizing for Change have given me are invaluable. Every day there is a situation that reminds us that we all have civil rights approved by the Constitution of the United States of America, and that they must be respected and applied in our state of Massachusetts.
Why is your cause/project important?
Justice is my project and the defense of it is my project
How are you working to advance your cause?
My cause is that our Latino community be included in all the processes of change for our families with special needs and that they participate and get involved with these changes. My hope is that language is not a barrier so that we can raise our voices. I am studying and training to overcome that barrier, but that does not stop me– it only strengthens me.
Thank you, Sagrario, for allowing us to get to know you a little better! We are glad to have you on the team!