Categories: Network Events
10.30.2024
“Maria is fearless. She is a person of immense strength, and you can see by the way she carries herself with her children, how her children are really the engine that keeps her going,” says Gabriela Sandoval Requena, Director of Policy and Communications at New Destiny Housing.
After moving to New York, Maria del Consuelo Rodriguez was in an abusive relationship but was able to escape along with her three children and lived in shelters for three years. Due to her immigration status, Maria faced difficulty affording permanent housing and finding stability for herself and her children until she found New Destiny’s The Corden, a supportive housing residence for domestic violence survivors named after the organization’s founder, Carol Corden.
“We were incredibly happy. We had found peace again. We were safe. Moving into supportive housing gave us the sense of security we needed to achieve our dreams—for me, that meant opening my own styling and beauty business called Estilos Rodsan. It has always been my passion to help other women reveal and rediscover their own beauty, but I know that it is especially important for survivors of domestic violence like me.”
In September of 2023, Maria joined Voces de Cambio, New Destiny’s speaker’s bureau for Spanish-speaking domestic violence survivors. Survivors receive public speaking training in order to share their story in public settings and with the media. Maria has appeared in Noticia NY, NY1 and El Diario, sharing her story with Spanish-speaking audiences. Maria also has developed a series of programs at The Corden for adults and kids doing workouts, spa days for moms, and meditation and poetry with her fellow tenants.
“What makes her shine as a resident and community member is that Maria cares about others” says Yanet Bueno, case manager at New Destiny Housing.
Maria says: “I had always thought my kids and I made the best team. Because each of them has brought strength, love, security and the drive to embark on this new life we started. Our goals as a family have been as a team to become successful people in life.”
Maria’s daughter, Katheryn Barrera Rodriguez, says “I’m proud of my mom because she’s fought for me and my brothers, no matter the situation. When I think about my mom, I think of motivation and inspiration: she’s shown me that nothing is impossible and that you can achieve anything if you try.”
For her resilience, strength, fierce dedication to herself, her family and fellow survivors we are delighted to honor Maria del Consuelo Rodriguez as one of our Tenants of the Year.