CHICAGO (April 1, 2004) Alicia Juarez has been named the new Associate Director for the Office for Racial Justice. Her appointment was announced by Sr. Anita Baird, Director of the Office for Racial Justice.
Among her primary responsibilities, Juarez will coordinate workshops on racism in both Spanish and English in a culturally sensitive manner throughout parishes in the Archdiocese of Chicago. These daylong workshops consist of seminars, testimonials and talks that bring awareness to participants regarding the sin of racism. The workshops allow people to bring racism down to a more personal level, where stories and experiences with discrimination are shared among the participants.
“I feel very passionate about working on racial justice issues,” she said. “I hope to bring forth a transformation, not just for individuals, but also for institutions and society.”
Prior to working for the Office for Racial Justice, she worked as a staff accountant at Channel 44, and then as health education coordinator at Alivio Medical Center in the Pilsen neighborhood. She has worked with other organizations and parishes on community organizing projects, health fairs, and justice issues.
Juarez, a Chicago native and oldest of three children, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Concordia University.