Vaneza Guzmán: Stepping up, building community
Most people would find the role of program coordinator for community engagement at 2Life Communities more than adequate to fill their schedule. For Vaneza Guzmán, it’s just one part of a mosaic of responsibilities she takes on joyously.
Vaneza works tirelessly to create programs and events that connect residents with the broader community. She plays a key role in 2Life’s Joyful Connections program, facilitating enriching experiences for residents facing memory loss. But that’s just the beginning. Recently, when 2Life needed an acting volunteer coordinator, it was Vaneza who stepped up to manage this crucial — and time-consuming — function. Her supervisors at 2Life, Debbi Cutler and Gina Plata, note that Vaneza is always willing to take on new projects and tackle them with professionalism, enthusiasm, and a creative touch. “When you put something in Vaneza’s hands, she takes it gracefully and runs with it,” Gina says.
In addition to her responsibilities at 2Life, Vaneza is pursuing her master’s degree in social work and was selected to participate in the Latinx Leadership Initiative at the Boston College School
of Social Work in partnership with Mass General Brigham. This innovative program is intended to develop bilingual/ bicultural social work leaders to serve Latinx populations in Boston-area community-based settings. As part of her studies, Vaneza is completing her social work internship at 2Life Communities.
“The Latinx Leadership Initiative has been such a great experience,” Vaneza says. “I’m the first generation in my family born in the U.S., so I understand how important it is to have access to bilingual behavioral healthcare.”
While Vaneza’s days are filled with a multitude of activities and responsibilities, the common denominator is promoting a strong sense of community at every stage of life. “Living in community is so integral to the human experience and to health, especially as we age,” she says. “Being able to connect with other people is what I love most about my role at 2Life. It makes the work meaningful to me.”
