Mrs. Cruz received her bachelor’s degree in social work from Youngstown State University.  Providing services to Latino families in Lorain, Mrs. Cruz started her career as a Licensed Social Worker in the role of an intensive home-based therapist joining El Centro de Servicios Sociales in 2015.  Currently, she holds the positions of Director of Community Health and Supportive Services and the Mental Health and Addiction Navigator for the MHARS Board of Lorain County.  El Centro is a Latino nonprofit social services agency in Lorain, Ohio, whose mission is to enhance the socio-economic status of the Greater Lorain County community by providing essential social, educational, cultural, and community development services

The Community Health & Supportive Services Department led by Mrs. Cruz has received State and National recognition for assisting individuals in Lorain in need of advocacy and assistance accessing community services due to the lack of resources and language barriers.   Some of these awards include the National Association of Social Work Ohio Chapter Region 2 Agency of the Year in 2017 and the Helen Rodriguez-Trias Health Award in 2018 presented by UnidosUS, the largest organization in the United States that advocates for Latino equality.  2021 Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan Award for El Centro’s COVID-19 Care team presented by The State of Ohio Latino Affairs Commission. Mrs. Cruz is currently a member of the CHIP Chronic Disease Committee, Community Advisory Committee, Minority Health Commission, Ohio Latino Affairs Commission, Good Knights, and Latino Leaders workgroups.

Her additional work experience includes the development and launch of the Lorain County Mental Health and Addiction Navigator line; where families and individuals connect to mental health and addiction services while eliminating barriers to service, such as transportation, language, and lack of insurance.  Mrs. Cruz provided technical assistance, support, and ongoing training in the design and implementation of seven community mental health navigators across Ohio with the support of the Ohio Commission On Hispanic/Latino Affairs.  Additionally, Mrs. Cruz has brought other recognized services to El Centro including chronic illness management through programs like Tomando Control De Su Salud (Taking Control of Your Health) and Comprando Rico y Sano (Buying Healthy and Flavorful Food).  Mrs. Cruz leads her team in providing services such as 211 Information and Referral, Immigration Advocacy including citizenship classes, interpretation services for schools, mental health agencies and Mercy Hospital, monthly food pantry, and support groups as well as case management for those 60 and over through the El Dorado Senior Program.

Mrs. Cruz was born in Puerto Rico and moved to Ohio with her family at a young age. She graduated from Clearview High School in 1994.  She later married and continued to raise her three children in Lorain.  Lorain has always been home to her and the close-knit community she grew up in allowed her the opportunity to develop and grow her passion for serving those in need.  Today, she is fortunate to continue serving her community through volunteer work.  In her professional life, Mrs. Cruz is committed to serving the needs of children and families as a Licensed Social Worker.

Dina Hernandez is a Realtor and the Team Leader of The Hernandez Group, LLC.  She is also a Certified Court Interpreter through the Supreme Court of Ohio.  Dina is active in the community and serves as a member of the Housing and Financing Committee for Lorain City through El Centro de Servicios Sociales.  She is also the ambassador for Lorain County for the Women’s Council of Realtors in Northeast Ohio.

Dina is a Top Producer and Multi Million sales Realtor, throughout her career she has demonstrated discipline, organization and care.  She is currently a Realtor with eXp Realty/eXp Latino and works in both Lorain and Cuyahoga Counties.  She was featured in the September 2022 issue of Cleveland Real Producers magazine as the Realtor Niche.

Dina has demonstrated her love for Real Estate, her clients and culture.  She is the team leader of The Hernandez Group which is a real estate team working in its majority with the latino community, “we understand the latino culture, the importance to be able to communicate in a language clients understand best, specially when they are entering into one of the biggest and most important purchases of their lives.  We thrive to provide excellent customer service and to make sure the process is the easiest and stress free as possible” Dina said.

Dina also likes to give back to her community, and one of her favorite ways to do that is by sponsoring local girls softball teams. But whether she is working to help her clients needs or supporting the community, Dina Hernandez helps to move those around her forward.

Kionna is a native of our nation’s capital, a mother of 6 and a wife to Markel Pharms. She is the President of Celebrate Your Worth, an organization with a focus on breaking the new-aged cycles of disrespect to ladies and a dedication to reminding women of their importance. Likewise, she is involved with various groups and boards who work tirelessly to ensure inclusivity, while ultimately uplifting our communities. Kionna is a non-traditional alumnus of Brookstone, Lorain County Community College (LCCC) and Excelsior University, thereby encompasses an aspiration and understanding that most deem incomparable. Humbly employed with LCCC for 15 years, from Student Senator to now the Manager of Holistic Student Services, President of Staff Council and Co-Chair of the Equity by Design Team, this exemplifies how she enjoys impacting and elevating the lives of our village. Although she has obtained various credentials and her experience spans over 25 years from Corporate America to Non-profit Organizations; her passion in sharing her skills and talents is priceless! Kionna’s quote: “We ALL have a story to tell and I choose to tell mine with a smile!”