10-13-2024 W2W - Flipbook - Page 27
Mayra Loera
42, Program Manager for Client Services,
Esperanza Center
For years after moving from Mexico to New York in
1998, Mayra Loera struggled with many of the challenges that face economic immigrants to the U.S. –
learning a new language, juggling jobs, never quite
knowing whom to trust. Now her passion is helping
others deal with such issues.
The Anne Arundel County resident heads a team
that helps nearly 4,000 immigrants per year. Any given
day can find her helping families with issues ranging
from schools to health care to safety. “
“Every day is kind of crazy,” she says. “There’s
always someone who needs help.”
Loera, a U.S. citizen and mother of two, says many
clients are undocumented. That, she says, is because
the legal process is prohibitively long for desperate
people and requires applicants to supply evidence of
wealth they don’t possess.
Loera served as a crucial liaison for the families of
the six men who were killed in the Key Bridge collapse.
Backed by a grant from Maryland Tough Baltimore
Strong, she visited their homes, helped relatives fill out
applications for financial support, organized travel for
overseas relatives and attended funerals.
“It was not in any job description, but I think there’s
a reason I was there,” says Loera, a lifelong churchgoer.
“God has divine purposes.”
— Jonathan M. Pitts
PHOTO BY AMY DAVIS
Sherry Nolte
54, Chief Executive Director, Harford Center
“My value for giving people a voice who are not typically heard or
valued in society is my spark,” said Sherry Nolte, a social worker with
over 30 years of experience in a variety of capacities. She has worked
with the Harford Center for 10 years and works with over 100 adults
with disabilities a year to help them find jobs, connect to resources
and build career and life skills.
“I love my job because it is about making sure people have the
choice to find meaning in their lives.”
This year, Nolte has assisted in the Harford Center’s growth in
connecting more adults with disabilities to employment opportunities and outreach services. “I want to make sure people aren’t just
included in their community, but that they feel a sense of belonging
and value in society.” Outside of her work with the Harford Center,
she teaches social work to both graduate and undergraduate students
at Salisbury University. Nolte is also a licensed clinical social worker.
“It is very important to me that we as a society emphasize the need
for mental health professionals because there is a lot going on and a
lot of needs for support.”
— Matt Hubbard
PHOTO BY KIM HAIRSTON
WOMEN TO WATCH | 2024 | 27
