Jackie, Founder and Executive Director of the United Community Center of Westchester (UCCW) in New Rochelle, is dedicated to providing critical resources such as legal and immigration assistance, healthcare, education, food, and emergency aid to those in need. Since establishing UCCW in 2005, Jackie has worked tirelessly to ensure that basic human necessities are met for the most vulnerable in the Westchester County community. Under her leadership, UCCW supports and empowers over 6,000 people each year, including at-risk youth, the disabled, the elderly, and the homeless.

As a domestic violence survivor, Jackie actively engages in social activism, advocating for immigrant families, battered women, and legislation to secure unpaid wages for immigrant workers, and to promote better wages and working conditions. Her efforts have earned UCCW recognition and accreditation from numerous local and state government agencies, and the organization has earned the trust and respect of various non-profits and government entities.

Before founding UCCW, Jackie worked as a consultant for the Westchester Department of Health, where she facilitated the enrollment of clients in free or affordable health insurance. Her extensive training in mental health and social services further enhanced her ability to support those in need. Jackie’s career has been marked by her dedication to social impact, philanthropy, and immigration laws, with a focus on client satisfaction and empowerment.

Originally from the Dominican Republic, Jackie migrated to Westchester County in 1984 to live with her parents. She has overcome numerous barriers to integration and self-empowerment, beginning her support for humanitarian causes and volunteering at a young age. Her lifelong commitment to helping others continues to drive her work with UCCW.