When survivors speak, change is possible 

Earlier this year, Esperanza United hosted our first Congressional Week of Action – five days dedicated to bringing more survivor voices into national policy conversations. Over the course of the week, we organized 23 meetings between survivors and congressional representatives and trained 31 advocates – all of which proved what we’ve always known: when survivors speak, change is possible. 

One of those powerful advocates was Cindy Sánchez. We first met her thanks to our local Minnesota partners Bridges to Safety, who recognized her strength and clarity. For Cindy, a mother of two, military veteran, and survivor, the Week of Action was more than an event – it was a turning point.  

She’d already walked a difficult path: leaving an abusive relationship, navigating a complicated court system, and facing the weight of cultural expectations that told her to stay silent. She remembers the isolation vividly: “Even after separating, I was still in court for three years. I didn’t know anyone else who went through that.”  

Through journaling, Cindy found both a tool for healing and a way to reclaim her power. This practice was so transformative that it motivated her to publish her own workbook, Rising From The Ashes: A Survivor’s Guide To Healing, to help others. Putting words on paper helped her recognize that resources existed, even if they weren’t always easy to access. “If I, with my background, didn’t know where to go, imagine how hard it is for others in our community who don’t know the language or the system,” she shared. 

When Cindy joined Esperanza United’s Congressional Week of Action, she carried her personal story into a collective effort. This time, she went beyond writing; she was speaking directly to policymakers. Her message was clear: culturally specific services save lives. 

“In our culture, women are often told to endure and be silent,” Cindy explained. She spoke about the fear of being judged and the victim-blaming that can come from family. “It’s helpful to see representation and people of color in the organizations you are receiving services with,” she noted, because it builds the trust needed to share personal information and seek help. “It’s helpful when a service provider approaches you with ‘hey, these are your options, whenever you are ready, we are here to help.’ It’s not about forcing a decision but about planting a seed of hope and letting a survivor know they are not alone.  

Her reflections echoed one of Esperanza United’s priorities for the Week of Action: advocating for more federal support for culturally specific services. These programs are not extra. They are essential. They ensure that survivors – especially those navigating language barriers, legal systems, or cultural stigma – have access to safety, community, and healing. 

For Cindy, that hope – or esperanza – is embodied by her children. She shared, “If it weren’t for them, I don’t know if I would have the strength to keep going.” That hope fuels her advocacy and her message: “The more we come together in community, the stronger and more powerful we are.” 

Her journey shows what Esperanza United strives to do every day: not only to provide direct services, but to create spaces where survivors lead systems change. Survivors like Cindy are not just recounting trauma, they are shaping policy, educating Congress, and ensuring the next generation has more options than they did. 

But this work is only possible with action. It requires donors who sustain our programs, and it requires advocates who defend funding for survivors at every level. As Cindy put it: “If we don’t speak up for ourselves, who will?” 

At Esperanza United, we believe survivors already have the power to lead. With your support, we make sure they also have the platform. Because as Cindy so powerfully reminds us, “We are not going to diminish our light to keep someone else in power”. 

About Cindy Sánchez 

Cindy Sanchez is a Mexican American domestic violence survivor, advocate, and author of Rising From The Ashes: A Survivor’s Guide To Healing. Drawing from her own journey, Cindy created this resource to equip others with tools for healing and self-discovery. She has donated copies to shelters and legal centers across Minnesota and is currently preparing a Spanish edition to expand its impact and accessibility. 

As a pageant titleholder, Cindy uses her platform to raise awareness about domestic violence while celebrating resilience, culture, and community. Her mission is to empower survivors to reclaim their voice, embrace their strength, and believe in their ability to rebuild a brighter future.