Kay Minis, Coordinator. She began working with the Latino community on the Outer Banks over 19 years ago teaching English to adults. She created and developed the Family Literacy Program which provides home-based tutoring program to school children, now through Children & Youth Partnership. She created Sea Change OBX with Jessica Loose to provide additional services, especially in education and community awareness.
Jessica Loose, Coordinator. The daughter of political refugees, she taught ESL (English as a Second Language) in Dare County Schools for 14 years. She didn't stop teaching after retiring in 2016. She has volunteered with middle school students, worked in a pilot program for high school newcomers, and currently teaches English to adults. Together with Kay Minis, she is developing new programs for Sea Change OBX.
Daniel Garza Salazar, Mentor. Daniel is a DACA recipient who emigrated from Mexico when he was three. He has served as president of Juntos, a Latino mentoring/leadership club, worked as a Latino outreach intern at the NC Coastal Institute, and at AMEXCAN in Greenville as a publicist. He is passionate about serving the Latino community as a mentor, leader, and community builder.
Roga Compean, Pastor. Originally from Mexico, Roga emigrated to the U.S. with his wife more than 30 years ago. He has served as a pastor on the Outer Banks since 1998, when he founded the Ark International Church. He now leads the New Way Congregation (El Nuevo Camino). He travels extensively throughout the U.S. and Latin America as a teacher, pastor, leader and public speaker.
Maria Minis, Attorney. Maria began teaching ESL to adults and children on the Outer Banks as a middle school student and currently works as a volunteer tutor. Conversationally fluent in Spanish, she has maintained close ties with the Latino community. She uses her talents to strengthen and build community ties and partnerships. She has a special interest in immigration law.
Marizol Muñiz, Community Liaison. Born and raised in Philadelphia by Puerto Rican parents, Marizol's first language was Spanish. She and her Coast Guard husband travelled extensively before moving to the Outer Banks in 2005. As Latino Outreach Coordinator for Outer Banks Hotline, she is instrumental in hosting our weekly adult ESL classes.
Yessica Rabanal, Interpreter/Translator. Yessica emigrated to the U.S. from Peru in 2000. She volunteers as a tutor and interpreter with Sea Change and helps at a local domestic abuse organization. Yessica is an active member of the local Latino community and lives in Manteo with her husband and daughter. Her daughter is now attending Columbia University, fulfilling a family dream.
Ernesto Estrada, Spanish Media Facilitator. Born in Mexico, he currently resides in Nags Head with his wife and two school aged children. Ernesto works as program director for an online Latino radio station and has provided DJ services to numerous events throughout Dare County.
Lourdes Caballero, Entrepreneur. Originally from Peru, Lourdes was an ESL teacher assistant while her three children attended school in Manteo. She now runs a consulting business, Maxima LLC, in Greenville, NC. Certified in OSHA Construction Safety & CPR/AED/First Aid, she is part of the National Safety Council instructors team qualified to teach Safety & Health.
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