Vanessa Cruz Weimann y Floreciendo

About the Author

My name is Vanessa Cruz Weimann. I am a trilingual professional, fluent in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. I am originally from Talara, Peru. I am a dedicated wife, loving mother of two wonderful children, author, community leader, healthcare professional, staunch advocate for mental health, educator, mental health coach.  I am currently the  International Director of Mental Health. This position provides me with the opportunity to collaborate with a wide network of stakeholders, including policymakers, healthcare professionals, and community leaders in my community, South America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe to develop and implement initiatives aimed at improving mental health, reducing stigma, and ensuring equitable access to mental health resources.

My commitment and passion to make an impact in this world have taken me to different places and allowed me to meet inspiring leaders. My journey started in Peru at the age of five, helping in the non-profit organization- Optica Espiritual, founded by my father. In this organization, we assisted people and families who could not afford to see a doctor, have enough income to eat, dress or even a place to live.  We were present in the most challenging situations for these families also visited them during holidays such as Christmas and New Year, bringing donations of clothing, gifts for children and groceries for families to have a nice dinner. Being present witnessing this real life experiences shaped my mind at an early age. 

My journey in the United States started in 2007. Shortly after my arrival, recognizing the importance of English proficiency for personal growth and societal impact, I enrolled in the English as a Second Language Program. This period presented substantial challenges, including instances of bullying and significant lifestyle adjustments. Despite the difficulties, I remained resilient and committed to mastering English efficiently. To facilitate my language acquisition, I undertook rigorous study while working. Within a year, I advanced from Basic to Advanced English, achieving the highest honors with a 3.98 GPA upon graduating from the English as a Second Language Program. Then, I earned my associate degree in Health Sciences, being the top graduate of my class. Subsequently, I applied and entered one of the most prestigious universities, the University of Massachusetts Boston, where I obtained my degree in Health Sciences. At the same time, I attended training seminars at Harvard Medical School on topics related to neuroscience, nutrition, physical, mental, and emotional health. Currently, I am specializing in Clinical Mental Health and obtaining my certification in the concentration of managing thoughts, emotions, and behavior in mental health from Harvard Medical School and Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Merrimack College.

I have nearly a decade of experience at Tufts Medical Center, one of the most prestigious hospitals in Boston, Massachusetts, working in various positions such as administration, notary public, intensive care units, emergency departments, cardiology, oncology, infectious disease, maternity, pediatrics, operations department, and psychiatry at Tufts Medical Center in Boston.

Empowered by improved language skills, I initiated my first project to advocate for immigrants facing language barriers. Recognizing the lack of available bilingual tutors, I established the first bilingual ESL Tutoring Center at North Shore Community College. Despite financial constraints, I offered assistance to students, aiding in their successful program completion. This endeavor marked the beginning of my commitment to community service, which continued to grow. In addition to my work at the ESL Tutoring Center, I dedicated my time to various organizations. I volunteered at My Brother's Table in Lynn, providing support to the homeless, particularly during colder days and holidays. Through Neighbor to Neighbor, I engaged in community outreach, educating residents on the importance of voting and civic participation. Furthermore, I contributed to community service efforts at Lynn Woods Reservation, participating in weekend clean-up activities. Additionally, I volunteered at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, assisting disabled patients and those without family support. These experiences solidified my dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of others within my community, emphasizing the importance of education, civic engagement, and community service.

During my college years, I worked as an interpreter at US Customs and Border Protection, interacting with individuals from diverse global backgrounds and exposed to various languages. It was during this experience that I developed a fascination for my third language, Portuguese. Motivated by my desire to contribute to community work in Brazil, I enrolled in Portuguese classes. Upon mastering the language, I traveled to Brazil and dedicated my time to volunteering with children at the Pediatric Oncology Hospital.

I helped raise funds to create a better environment for students at a school in Peru. I participated every year in Washington, DC, marching for undocumented students to have access to affordable education through the Student Immigration Movement (SIM) and the Dream Act. I had the privilege of being invited to the Conference to support Immigration for undocumented students where former President Barack Obama was the keynote speaker. I presently hold the role of a panelist on the TV and radio program "Changing the World of People with Disabilities," where we engage in discussions on mental health and disability-related subjects with specialists from around the globe. I dedicate my time not only to volunteering, but also to actively contributing to an organization that I deeply respect for its commendable work with children, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital since 2013.

One of my recent achievements was writing and publishing my first book, titled "Blooming." My greatest aspiration for this book is to offer you a valuable yet simple resource that can help you both professionally and personally, just as it has helped me. As I continue to learn and grow in my understanding of mental health, I commit to sharing with you my insight, valuable information, and thoughts that can help you navigate your own path to mental health.

One of the many reasons why this book is very dear and special to me is because the proceeds will go to organizations that help patients in the field of mental health. There is much work to be done in psychiatric facilities. My book is for sale at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, where all profits will go to its Psychiatry unit- Pratt 2. "Blooming" has made a significant difference, and as a result, my book signing at Fenway Park sold out. It is a dream come true as a Latina, woman, wife, mother of two incredible young children, student, healthcare worker, health educator and a staunch advocate for mental health and education.

I have had the opportunity to be interviewed by different media outlets talking about raising awareness on this issue and how to end this stigma as a society. For instance,  El Mundo - La Hora del Café, Cuencavision, Changing the World for People with Disabilities, Latino Power TLC, Simply Miracles, Hablemos with the Univision New England Channel, D8A9 and by Tufts Medical Center, Boston for my excellence. 

Due to my competence, advocacy, and professionalism, I have been awarded through the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, the National Society of Leadership and Success, the Multicultural Society Distinction Award, the Student Government Association Award, and the Honors Student Council Representative Award from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

In 2023, I was recognized by the mayor of my city, Jared Nicholson, and the President of the State of Massachusetts, Karen Spilka, for my leadership, courage, and impact in my city and the world. LULAC Evolution Boston for the gracious recognition of my contribution to society and for granting me the platform to empower an audience composed of exceptional, inspiring, and empowered leaders within our community, sharing insights on a subject that holds profound personal significance to me—Mental Health. The Dominican Republic for inviting me to their International Book Event and acknowledging my work as an author. It was truly an honor.

At the same time, I was the recipient of the Mental Health Advocate of the Year, which is an award that I held with so much gratitude.  My most recent nomination is to be the Cultural Ambassador and Queen of the program hosted by Juan Cepeda on the television network, CuencaVision. I will be working on projects,  doing community work as a community leader. 

I am presently employed at an exceptional charter school, collaborating with highly skilled and compassionate educators deeply committed to our students. It is an honor for me to develop the Health Curriculum for middle school students, incorporating mental health components. I have the privilege of teaching this curriculum to nearly 500 intelligent, delightful, and kind students, from whom I gain valuable insights every day.

I take great delight in my family who are my everything. My husband, who is my best  friend, my rock,  amazing spouse, and devoted father providing unwavering support to each one of us at home. My children, Thais and Anthony who bring immense happiness into our lives through their engaging stories, and being there to witness their growth is an unparalleled joy. During my absence, you can often find me cherishing moments in nature with my husband and children or immersed in a good book at Barnes and Noble, sipping on a cup of coffee.

This is the beginning of my leadership as a Mental Health Professional for my  Community in the United States and worldwide, for which I am connected with many national and international organizations in order to help many people that are getting affected daily by mental illness.