OLAS Mission
The mission of OLAS is to foster self-acceptance, emotional well-being, and community support among LGBT Latin American immigrants, with a special focus on asylum seekers. Most of our participants have experienced extreme forms of violence, discrimination, and rejection by social institutions and sometimes family. Our program is focused on personal and collective healing in order to support our participants to thrive as individuals as well as in the communities in which they reside.
OLAS History
OLAS was founded in September, 2014 when we launched our first pilot weekend retreat. Since that time, we have offered 10 additional weekend retreats, 11 one-day workshops, three holiday celebrations, and we have marched in two San Francisco Pride parades!
In addition, OLAS members have taken the initiative to organize their own gatherings outside of the facilitated events our program offers them.
OLAS Staff
We have a wonderful, diverse, and dedicated staff that work hard to make the mission of OLAS happen!
Adela Pedroza, MBA
Finance Manager/Grant Writer Adela brings 20 years of business experience to OLAS. She was a Senior Consultant at Kaiser Permanente, where she advised leaders on better understanding their customers, and managed customer research projects. Adela has managed international customer research projects, and has a background in commercial real estate and human resources. Adela currently conducts customer research for a variety of industries, in addition to her work at OLAS. She has an MBA with an emphasis in Marketing and Market Research. Adela served as a member of the OLAS Advisory Committee since its inception and is eager to help OLAS maintain its strength and grow in upcoming years. 
Diana Shapiro, MFT (MFC41975)
Program Founder/Director Diana is a licensed psychotherapist with several years of experience working with immigrants from Latin America. She began this work as an independent contractor with the East Bay Sanctuary Covenant, providing psychological evaluations to individuals seeking asylum in the U.S. due to persecution in their countries of origin. She continues to work with EBSC, as well as private attorneys, to evaluate immigrants for legal asylum. Diana founded OLAS as a response both to the extent of the abuse and mistreatment of sexual minorities in many parts of Latin America and also to their openness to, and eagerness for, mental health treatment. Diana speaks English and Spanish. |
Francisca Lizana, MFT
Facilitator Francisca is a bilingual Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT 103989) specializing in Expressive Arts therapy. Originally from Chile, she trained in the UK and US with the vision to provide therapeutic services through the arts to children and adults in community settings. In the US, she has worked with Latino youth and their families through advocacy and counseling, and with adults in substance abuse recovery and prevention. Alongside, she has worked as a school counselor, through nonprofit agencies. As of late, she works as an Social-Emotional Specialist at an international school and in her own private practice. She has collaborated working with women survivors of sex trafficking in Nepal and with refugees and migrants in Chile. Francisca has presented and led workshops in conferences nationally and internationally. She is very happy to be part of the OLAS community as the Clinical Director.
Joaquin Basulto, Facilitator
Joaquin is a permanent U.S. resident who started as a participant in OLAS in 2014. After attending several events, Joaquin was asked to join the OLAS staff as an event co-facilitator. Joaquin works in construction and lives with his partner of 12 years and his beloved dog. Joaquin speaks English and Spanish. 
Pedro Felix, LCSW Facilitator Pedro is a licensed therapist and social worker with more than 15 years of experience working in the mental health sector, primarily in agencies focused on the homeless, people with severe mental illness and/or alcohol or drug addiction, as well as HIV prevention. Pedro is passionate about offering social services to communities most in need. An immigrant from Mexico himself, Pedro has participated in the OLAS program since 2015. Pedro lives with his partner of 12 years and his dog. Pedro speaks English and Spanish. |
"I learned how to unwind and how to calm my nerves." - January 2015 Retreat Participant
