Altagracia De La Rosa

Community Social Worker

Altagracia was born in Cayó Azul, a small neighborhood in Cabrera, roughly 70 km outside of Cabarete, and raised during her adolescence in San Francisco de Macorís where she began high school and met her husband. Altagracia has now lived in Sosua, neighboring Cabarete, for over 30 years. One of 13 siblings, Altagracia has three children and six grandchildren. A licensed clinical psychologist, Altagracia completed high school in Sosua as an adult after having children, and went on to receive her degree and license in clinical psychology at UAPA (Universidad Abierta Para Adultos) in Santiago. During this time Altagracia assisted a friend from the United States write her thesis on the exploitation of sex workers in Sosua and has ever since been motivated to continue her studies. Through her social work at the Mariposa Foundation and her previous work at CEPROSH – Center for Promotion and Human Solidarity, which develops programs and educational resources focused on the prevention and management of HIV/AIDS and STIs, Altagracia has been exposed to varying degrees of physical and mental health. Altagracia is motivated everyday to keep helping people and alleviating stressful situations as best as she can. She plans to pursue a Master’s degree in Family Therapy soon and is excited to keep learning and being a resource to others.  

Altagracia joined the Mariposa team during the summer of 2019 and sees the importance of her work. She acknowledges that oftentimes the students with the largest behavioral issues are generally the ones with the most challenges going on at home and outside of school, but it is a beautiful thing to watch the girls be resilient and overcome many challenges. It has been a transformative experience for Altagracia to engage with the Mariposa girls and watch them release their stressors through therapy, genuine conversation, and by having a safe space and confidential resource to disclose sensitive information to. During her free time, Altagracia still volunteers at CEPROSH to work with vulnerable populations, including many young unhoused people, and is the definition of a true humanitarian.  She is even nicknamed “911” in her neighborhood because she is always available to help at any hour of the day if you knock on her door. Altagracia and her work are a blessing to the Mariposa community.