From five high-need locations across the United States, our staff provide interdisciplinary, trauma-informed services to immigrant survivors of gender-based violence. Located in Greater DC, our executive and national teams support the needs of our local offices and our policy advocacy. Our staff exhibit a high level of cultural competency, speak multiple languages, and, above all, are committed to supporting our clients.
Eileen Espinal joined Tahirih in 2018. As Senior Social Services Program Manager, Eileen oversees our program’s holistic, culturally-competent, and trauma-informed services to immigrant survivors of gender-based violence. Eileen engages in partnership-building to connect survivors to appropriate and accessible resources, as well as outreach and advocacy to spread awareness about the challenges facing survivors of gender-based violence in Georgia’s immigrant community.
Prior to joining Tahirih, Eileen served as Community Youth Advocate with the Southern Poverty Law Center, where she conducted outreach and provided support to students, incarcerated persons, and immigrants across Florida. Prior to that, Eileen served with Camillus House, an organization assisting the impoverished and displaced homeless community in South Florida. Eileen served as their Community Manager as well as a Case Manager for the women’s employment and housing opportunity program.
“I am inspired by Tahirih’s values-driven mission that centers the experiences of the immigrant community and empowers survivors to reclaim their agency. It is a privilege to journey alongside immigrant survivors in their resilient walk towards safety and stability.”
Education: Florida International University, MPA & MS Criminal Justice; University of South Florida, BA Criminology
Languages: English, Spanish
Hometown: Miami, Florida
Dulce joined Tahirih in 2021. As the Senior Social Services Advocate in the Atlanta office, Dulce conducts biopsychosocial needs assessments for Tahirih clients. She collaborates with the legal and social service teams to provide trauma-informed and client-centered services. Dulce provides crisis intervention, safety planning and education on victim’s rights to Tahirih clients. She collaborates with various community agents to connect service seekers to the necessary resources that can empower them and support them through their journey. Prior to joining Tahirih, Dulce worked as a Medical Social Worker in interdisciplinary medical teams at Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta in Georgia. Throughout her work experience she conducted biopsychosocial assessments, crisis intervention and comprehensive care coordination services by advocating and connecting patients to various resources. Dulce was part of a study abroad summer program in Costa Rica during her undergraduate years at Georgia State University. She analyzed the difference in policies and implementation of social services between Costa Rica and the USA.
“I am inspired by Tahirih’s mission to create a more gender equitable world and their commitment to empower immigrant women and girls. As an immigrant myself and a daughter of immigrants, I’m passionate about immigrant rights and through my work I seek to be of service to my community. I’m grateful to be part of Tahirih’s mission to advocate, empower and raise awareness about the complex challenges faced by immigrant women and girls.”
Education: Columbia University, MSW
Languages: Spanish, English
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Vanessa joined Tahirih’s Atlanta office in 2021. As Executive Director, Vanessa is responsible for the management, growth and financial sustainability of the Atlanta office. She leads the Atlanta team in delivering client-centered legal and social services to immigrant women and girls fleeing violence; conducting community outreach and partnerships; oversees the local office’s financial and operational integrity; and engaging diverse stakeholders. Vanessa also works collaboratively to develop and execute a regional advocacy strategy for policies supporting the community.
Prior to joining Tahirih, Vanessa worked within the non-profit field for over eighteen years. In 2003, she joined Promise Place to expand domestic violence services in Fayette county to several new counties within the judicial circuit. With the opening of that area’s first state certified domestic violence shelter in 2007, Vanessa took on the position of Shelter Director, assisting in developing the framework for services provided to clients. She then served as Executive Director for the next ten years. As Promise Place Executive Director, Vanessa developed numerous domestic violence initiatives for the community. One of these initiatives was featured in the 11th annual Georgia Domestic Violence Fatality Review report. In February 2015, Vanessa was appointed by Governor Nathan Deal to the Georgia Commission of Family Violence where she served for 3 years. She received a Pinnacle Leadership award in 2017 for outstanding community leadership and was recognized with a Phenomenal Woman award in 2021 for her 17 years of service to the community.
I am inspired by both Tahirih’s mission and inter-disciplinary approach to providing services. Having worked in the domestic violence field for many years, I have seen firsthand the complex barriers immigrant women and girls face in achieving safety – a basic right that we all too often take for granted. Legal services are a critical factor in removing these barriers and I am honored to work alongside a team that focuses on prioritizing client needs while maintaining excellence in our service delivery.
Hometown: Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.
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