Hispanic Heritage Month Visibility Campaign: Naisha Ortiz

September 15-October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month, an opportunity for us to continue our Visibility Campaign series and revisit our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This month we will increase visibility of our Hispanic staff. Today's spotlight goes to Naisha Ortiz, BS, intervention specialist. 

Naisha began her career at Wheeler in 2015 as a customer service representative in the support services department. She quickly grew within the organization to where she works now, an intervention specialist in Wheeler’s Community Justice Unit in the Middletown AIC.  In May 2021, Naisha received her bachelor's degree in criminal justice and has been accepted for her master's program in business administration. 

What steps should organizations such as Wheeler take to serve the Hispanic/Latino communities better? 
One of the things that I feel is needed to serve the Hispanic/Latino communities better is to create a program or workshop for financial literacy. This would be a great opportunity to discuss ways to create a legacy of wealth for future generations. Along the same lines, another topic not discussed in the Hispanic/Latino home is the importance of maintaining positive credit. We can help create a space where they feel comfortable talking about their challenges and struggles without leaving thinking that they are not being understood. Lastly, providing staff with more culturally competent training to help our clients feel like they too have a place where they are welcomed and embraced with genuine care and kindness would really help. 

What are the most significant challenges that Hispanic and Latino communities are facing today? 
The most significant challenges that the Hispanic and Latino communities are facing now are disproportionate financial impacts such as owning fewer financial assets and higher financial debt, largely due to limited resources for school funding.  

Thank you, Naisha, for sharing today!