Meet Karla Aguilar, our new Board Chair.
We are delighted to introduce you to our new Board Chair, Karla Aguilar.
Her Guatemalan mom would affectionately say “Karlita” and cheer this position on…
We are cheering, too! Everyone at chica project is thrilled Karla took the leadership mantle after Malia Lazu’s departure. (We are thankful for Malia’s leadership and support, and look forward to big announcements from her, too).
Born in Guatemala, a land of rich Mayan history, twenty-five languages and beautiful cultural Huipil fashions, Karla brings empathy for the immigrant experience to the role, as she has overcome challenges growing up with her undocumented status up until high school. When musing about where chica project might be a decade from now, she exclaimed… internationally known! In Guatemala!”
As Director of Family Engagement at West End House, Karla helps provide outcomes-driven programs to youth and their families in the most under-resourced communities of Boston. She launched the organization’s first family support initiative reaching more than 300 families through programs focused on vaccine awareness and access, food security, remote learning, and volunteer support for after-school programs.
Since 1906 West End House has empowered thousands of youth to succeed in school, discover their artistic passions and skills, adopt healthy lifestyles, and become community leaders. It is the only Boys & Girls club in the entire Northeast with a full-time staff dedicated to college persistence. Programs such as homework completion support, literacy and STEM programs, one-on-one-tutoring, career-readiness, social-emotional skills development and mentoring ensure success. A vibrant Arts program—visual, dance, theatre and music—adds soul to the organization.
Karla herself is an alumna of West End House, having started there at age 6. She garnished all the power and potential sprouted there and built a career always helping uplift youth and families: as a Foster Care Case Manager, as a College & Career Development Coach at the Base, as a Development Manager at Parenting Journey, at West End House … and now volunteering to lead chica project!
“I am committed to chica project because it is my obligation to show up for our young women just like other women showed up and stayed for me in my life.”
—Karla Aguilar
Asked what advice she would give to her 18-year-old self, Karla quickly answered: “Listen to your parents!” If that 18-year-old were to share some wisdom (Karla’s favorite word) with today’s Karla, it would be: “Be easy on yourself; don’t put too much pressure on you.”
chica project has had tremendous success in the decade since our founding. With leadership such as Karla’s we can’t wait to see what the future holds for us.