We recently connected with Mayra Molina and have shared our conversation below.

Mayra , appreciate you joining us today. One of the most important things small businesses can do, in our view, is to serve underserved communities that are ignored by giant corporations who often are just creating mass-market, one-size-fits-all solutions. Talk to us about how you serve an underserved community.

In a moment of my life, I lost everything, I have a daughter at that moment she was 1 year old. I didn’t have any money to buy milk, or diapers. eating was a challenge, I ended up living in a shelter for almost 3 months. Meanwhile I was learning a lot of resources, and trainings, and resources that I was able to use for move forward. It wasn’t easy because more of the time you main struggle is your state of mind. I have to survive, and I was determined to take my life and my daughters to a better place. In between I got the chance to learn first hand on how the underserved are not able to find or connect with this resources, and to have a better future. Our mission, as an non profit organization, is to extend as much as we can this tools, and resources to have a better chance to find their motivation to achieve their goals in different areas as: health, education, housing, legal advise, and housing.
We started focusing in the Venezuelan Community, but it grew so fast that we extend all of our projects to the Latino Community in Utah.

Mayra , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

It never crossed my mind about the challenges that I went through. And then having that experience it make me discover talents that I didn’t realize that I had. Making myself understand that it was only a chapter and that amazing things were ahead on my path. I was able to find a really god job, where I took as many trainings and new things as I could so I can move up. It pay off. I was able to buy a vehicle, rent an apartment, live and provide for my little family. When I was more stable, I started with a small group of women to gather used clothes, and diapers, and other primary items for those in need.
At one point, I drove all over the valley and the donations keep coming to the point that one day I went to pick up a donation and as my car was full of clothes and diapers for the kids, I sat down in my car and started to cry. I was overwhelmed because people was trying to help, trough me, those in need. Then I realized that this part of my life make me happy, and that was a purpose for me to help the others. I created this small organization called the Venezuelans in Utah County, and as the time went by other services were added, and then The Venezuelan Alliance of Utah was born. We are working with the state authorities, together to offer help to the most vulnerable people. Creating alliances, offering the help need it a low cost, even free most of the times.

Our major accomplishment was the time that we got call to participate in the Diversity and Minority Committee by the Federal Government for the Census 2020
As an organization our major accomplishment is to know that our mission is being full filled, making a difference in the Latinos families and the authorities perception of their needs.

How’d you meet your business partner?

Back in 2018, I was doing this job by myself, I was the head of the functioning of that small organization. One day I got a letter from the General Attorney of Utah, Mr. Sean reyes, where they were giving a Community Award. I was impressed and stunning to learn that I was marking that Impact. In this event, a few leaders were recognized as well, and Mr. Reyes said: you guys should work together, imagine all of the things that you can accomplish. I meet Victor Hugo Pinilla Coxe. And my nephew joint us with this mission as well. A week later we were in a meeting doing strategies and plans for the community, planing meetings, gathering clothes, etc. Since then, 4 years ago, our work is reflected in any steps, we do count with attorneys for our legal advise, and due to the trust and respect that we earned during these years, we are also part of the National Committee of Venezuela Organizations, where we defend and propose laws and programs for the Latinos in US.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

We know that they are many organizations out there doing as much as they can to help. As we did, in the beginning, everything is a struggle. Finding the right connections, talking to the right people. I wasn’t easy. We were persistent, and never let the hard days overcome the better days. Like in business you need to invest time, and knowledge to grow, to mark you territory and to let the people know as well what are your backgrounds.
When we started until today our mission is to help, and keep that connection between the how and where to go.
Today social media plays a really important tool for us to communicate and to reach more people that either is looking for help or want to be part of the organization.
The pandemic as well hold a lot of projects, but we keep the contact in other ways to keep on going.
Reputation for us is really critical. We make sure that our team learn the process, and they can compromise with our goals. We are also promoters of the cultural and folklore from our roots, creating Music groups, dance and cooking lessons.
We must show strong ethics and values, to serve as an example to others.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @alianzavenezolanautah
• Facebook: Alianza Venezolana Utah
• Twitter: Alianzavenezolanautah