Community Navigator Gloria Vargas is a friendly face for visitors at Amani Family Service’s office lobby.
Gloria’s path to her role as Amani’s Community Navigator demonstrates a commitment to community support shaped by personal experience. Born in Mexico, she moved to the United States at the age of 13, a journey initiated by her mother who was looking for better opportunities and determined to provide for her family as a single parent of four children. Gloria faced the many challenges of adapting to a new country, culture, and language, “Right when I was starting to become my own person, I had to stop everything. I didn’t know English, so I didn’t understand anything at school and I would come home with a headache every day. It was so hard.” Despite the initial barriers and the struggle to find her footing in an entirely new environment, within two years she had become fluent in English, connected with the Latino students in her classes, and found people in the community to support her.
“If my mom had the help people have through Amani, it would have been so much easier. That’s why I love working here, I can see a big positive impact on the families we serve!”
Gloria has always been drawn to roles that encourage growth and learning. She has a background in early childhood development and spent a decade as a teaching assistant for a pre-kindergarten department. Today, as a Community Navigator, Gloria embodies the spirit of service through her dedication to creating an environment where everyone feels like they belong. Her attention to detail allows operations to run smoothly and she prides herself on creating a homey feeling for everyone who walks through the door. She is the first point of contact for individuals reaching out to Amani, ensuring that each person is heard and directed to the appropriate resources or staff members. Witnessing the struggles her own family faced upon their arrival in the United States, Gloria understands the critical difference that this kind of support can make, “If my mom had the help people have through Amani, it would have been so much easier. That’s why I love working here, I can see a big positive impact on the families we serve!”
Gloria has three children and she is married to her high school sweetheart. Outside of work, Gloria loves to immerse herself in the creativity of her sewing projects. In Mexico, her grandmother was skilled with a needle and thread and her mother pursued formal training to be a seamstress. Gloria received her first sewing machine as a child and quickly embraced the legacy of the craft within her family history. Now she’s sold her creations online and at the local farmers markets. Additionally, Gloria enjoys running and hiking, spending time with family and friends, and exploring new places through her travels.
Amani Family Services is hiring! This is a wonderful time to join our team and play a critical role in supporting our immigrant and refugee community. Learn more here: amanifamilyservices.org/careers