Nuevo Sendero’s Sexual Violence Summit Inspires Action and Hope in Orlando

Orlando, FL — With an urgent call for awareness, prevention, and support for survivors, the organization Nuevo Sendero hosted its 2025 Annual Sexual Violence Summit at the Renaissance Senior Center in Orlando, Florida. The event brought together community leaders, professionals, survivors, and allies for a day of reflection and action in observance of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Nuevo Sendero’s founder and CEO, Dr. Diana Mejía, opened the event with a moving message: “Today we come together as a community to give a voice to those silenced by pain and fear. Every story shared, every resource offered, is another step toward a more just, respectful, and safe society for all.”

Meanwhile, the organization’s president, Olga Aymat, reaffirmed Nuevo Sendero’s commitment: “This summit reflects more than 18 years of ongoing work. We will continue to fight tirelessly to break the cycles of violence and bring hope to those who need it most.”

Aymat presented a heartfelt segment alongside advocate Jenny Esquivel, centered on the well-known case of young Madelin Soto. The emotional moment concluded with a musical performance by JuanJo and his father, members of the duo Kingblessed.

Matty Frías, Director of Nuevo Sendero’s Sexual Violence and Communications Program, emphasized: “Education, prevention, support, and guidance are our priorities. This gathering strengthens us and reminds us that together we can make a real difference in the lives of survivors.”

During the event, Luis Martínez, Multicultural Director of the Orlando Mayor’s Office, presented Dr. Diana Mejía and Olga Aymat with a letter of recognition on behalf of Mayor Buddy Dyer. In addition, Dr. Luis Piña, President of the International Chaplaincy Academy, awarded an honoris causa distinction to Dr. Mejía.

The summit featured several educational panels, including:

• Health and Family, with Dr. Michelle Almeida, Clinical Psychologist, and Wanda Bonet-Gascó, Founder of DRW Life Skills Institute, moderated by Bernardita M. Sierra, Director of Miss Archivers.
• Legal Perspectives, featuring attorneys Cristina Navarro (Immigration) and Ana M. López (Family and Accidents), moderated by Pamela Ramírez, former Sexual Abuse Prosecutor in the Dominican Republic and current Director of the JCE in Orlando.
• The Impact of Sexual Abuse in the Workplace, featuring Karla Muñiz, Vice President of IMA Medical Group, and Lourdes León, President of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Volusia, moderated by Matty Frías.

In the afternoon, three keynote presentations were delivered by distinguished speakers: Minnie Cardona, Director of the ESOL/World Languages Program of the Seminole County School System; Rosalba Ramos Castillo, District Attorney of the Dominican Republic’s National District; and Mily Treviño-Sauceda, CEO of the National Alliance of Farmworker Women (California). Each addressed key topics focused on empowerment and protection for survivors.

The event also featured an “Art to Heal” segment, where attendees expressed their emotions through guided painting sessions led by artists Elizabeth Rivera, Xiomara Aleksis, and Homero Daniel Rodríguez.

Worship singer Eunice Velázquez moved the audience with her musical performance. The afternoon invocation was led by Dr. Luis R. Piña, President of the International Chaplaincy Academy (AIC), while the morning invocation was conducted by Chaplain Noila López.

Special recognitions were presented to key partners for their outstanding contributions to sexual violence prevention and survivor support, including Susan Rubio Rivera, CEO of Mujeres Unidas en Justicia, Educación y Reforma (Homestead, FL); Juliann Salinas, Grant Writing Specialist; Limary Green, Survivor Advocate at the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office; Vicky Santamaría, Director of Community Engagement at Advent Health; and Mily Treviño-Sauceda, CEO of the National Alliance of Farmworker Women. Honorees also included Rosalba Ramos Castillo, Mily Treviño-Sauceda, and Minnie Cardona.

The event’s master of ceremonies was journalist Mayra La Paz, Director of Portada Latina, and it was produced by PG Media Publishing, led by Gheidy de la Cruz, under the direction of Matty Frías.

The Nuevo Sendero Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to continue developing educational programs, empowerment workshops, prevention campaigns, and support initiatives for survivors of sexual violence—working in collaboration with authorities, institutions, and civil society to build safer, violence-free communities.

Press Contact: PG Media / Gheidy de la Cruz – (787) 234-9002