INTERVIEWS WITH
UPDATES AND RECAPS
Table Of Contents
Read all about a few of our staff at Union Capital
Curious about who joined our Network Coordinator team? Go to this page!
See how UC’s clubs are doing and learn about them!
Our members shared their stories with us! Hello, Shondell and Darien!
Partnership
Learn more about UC partners.
Check out UCB and find out what they have been doing recently
UC Ripples
Intern Spotlight
CORE
TEAM:
Eric Leslie
Founder/Lead Organizer
Roberto “Tito” Martinez
Director of Springfield
Diana Garcia
Network Manager
Semhar Habtehans
Boston Network Support Administrator
INTRODUCING
THE
NEW UC INTERN: MADISON BIZJAK
Hello! My name is Madison Bizjak, and I was born and raised in San Diego, California, but now I live in Indiana so I can attend Earlham College. I value curiosity and meaningful work! I enjoy understanding how culture, media, and politics affect everyday life and how people see the world. I am excited to share my voice as well as the voices of other’s.
I was interested in working with UC because of its mission focus: building social capital! Being a storyteller who engages in deep relationships within the community is what I’m working towards. I hope people can read my writing as I interview UC members and fill in the pages of Ripples and be as inspired as me when I read others’ work. I love the idea of bringing the Boston/Springfield communities together sharing the wins and resources across the state.
Dennis Hicks
Director of Leadership
Jalina Suggs
Director of Boston
Shavonne Herrington
Director of Partnership
Elsa Flores
East Boston Network Manager
Meet Springfield’s Network Support Administrator
Welcome, Heather Salerno!
Heather has worked with Union Capital Springfield for two years as a Network Coordinator and has been recognized for her hard work and leadership!
Heather shares, "Having served as a Network Coordinator, I have seen firsthand the incredible impact that resourcesharing and community connection have on our members. I am so excited to take on this new role with Union Capital, to ensure our backend systems and logistics are just as strong as our community relationships, allowing us to build even more social capital here in Springfield."
Meet Our New Network Coordinators!
Union Capital Clubs
JOIN A UC CLUB:
What are UC Clubs?
Union Capital Clubs are member-led groups designed to bring our community even closer together. Each club creates space for learning, support, and shared experiences connecting members through the interests, passions, and conversations that matter most to them Clubs offer a meaningful way to get more involved and stay engaged in the UC network. Join a club, find your community, and be part of something powerful together.
Check out the UC Clubs Landing page on our website to learn more: https://unioncapital.org/clubs
Parents, Let’s Talk (PLT)
PLT is a space to share information and resources for caregivers and the youth! It includes enrichments and outlets for creativity, growth, and success. This club is open to all members of Union Capital.
Parents, Let’s Talk (PLT)
Launches Thursday April 16, 2026
Meetings: 7:00 pm, Third Thursday of each month; Virtual
Location: Boston
Sis It’s Safe
Sis It’s Safe is a SIS-iety that offers guided discussions rooted in trauma-informed curriculum. This is a safe space that supports learning, fosters sisterhood, and encourages growth, healing, self-reflection, and authentic expression. Some activities include presentations, workshops, and hands-on projects.
Meetings: 6:00pm Thursdays, Monthly; InPerson Meetings
Location: Boston
MEMBER STORIES
Meet Darien Santiago!
Darien found Union Capital Springfield through his community, and since then, he’s been able to thrive with this opportunity he found through networking!
As a Lead Network Coordinator, Darien helps with event planning, tabling, partner organization discussions, assisting newcomers, and more. He has been with UC Springfield since its beginning (two years) and has seen tremendous growth within the community and organization. With around 2,000 members now, the impact is very noticeable. Darien shared, “The members have gained more confidence and are more in tune with what we have going on, and we assist people with loneliness who don’t get out much, and now they have, almost like a club to join, it’s almost like a family type of thing. A lot of people that, before they joined UC, didn’t really do too much, and now they’re engaging with more people, and you hear that from a lot of people as well.”
Darien’s journey shows how networking and community can lead people to amazing opportunities to grow!
Meet Shondell Davis!
What began as simple encouragement from a friend has grown into a meaningful mission for Shondell Davis, a local mother dedicated to supporting her community. About seven months ago, she became a Lead Network Coordinator with UC, where she has embraced learning new skills and deepening her understanding of the organization.
While she finds the work rewarding, she also faces consistent challenges in reaching community members, often adapting by connecting one-on-one and helping those who struggle with technology stay involved.
Her passion is rooted in personal experience. After a devastating family loss, Shondell felt disconnected and found that many outside resources weren’t accessible to people in her community. This realization led her back to UC, where she now works to ensure others don’t feel isolated during difficult times.
Today, she is driven to build a stronger, more connected community by fostering relationships, sharing resources, and supporting neighbors’ basic needs all while maintaining self-care and boundaries to sustain her compassion and strength.
Member-Led Partnership Shine
Introducing: The Sacred Womb Project
The Sacred Womb Project (previously Her Womb Essence) is a community-based initiative dedicated to reclaiming womb knowledge through culture, education, and advocacy Through programs, workshops, and community conversations, they support menstrual health education, reproductive awareness, and body literacy across generations. This is a member-led partnership by Kennysha Wrencher!
Get Excited! UC has a club in connection with the Sacred Womb Project: The Womb Wisdom Book Club launches April 7, 2026
Women from the Sacred Womb club showing off their womb vision boards!
Member-Led Partnership Shine
Introducing:
Lives Are Meant to be Changed
We are proud to p Meant to be Chang
This organization wellness, and pros and their families! and programs to g
Their programs include:
Substance Use Disorder: Support and treatment connections.
Education & Employment: GED support and job readiness training.
Housing & Re-Entry: Stable housing and community reintegration.
Parenting: Coaching support for fathers.
Read more about Lives are Meant to be Changed here: https://livesaremeanttob echanged.org/
Boston Highlights
We hosted over 20 Network Nights, Partner Events, and Leadership Trainings from January through March 2026.
1. January 21: 1 UCB Jackson Square Network Night of the year hosted at Transitional Remedies Solutions Inc. Office st
2 February 28: Musueum of Science
3. March 4: UCB Network Night! Our members gathered in small groups to connect about topics that they can relate to! Sharing stories is how we joined together
Springfield Highlights
EVENTS RECAP!
We hosted over 2 Partner Events, and L from January through
1.December 16: Holi and gift exchange. close out a year of hard work with good food, laughs, and con
2.October 11: We exper afternoon of inspirati community power. Th Naeemah Elias, who t turn our goals into re Leadership Luncheon
3.November 15: Our me about dozens of prog organizations, member-owned businesses, and resources at our Resource and Member Vendor Fair.
Annual Survey Takeaways
“Being connected to UCB has opened my eyes to so many
“Being connected to UCB has opened my eyes to so many things happening in Boston and so many resources.” things happening in Boston and so many resources. ”
“[Union capital means] friendship, communication, “[Union capital means] friendship, communication, compassion, and learn to believe in me relationships.” compassion, and learn to believe in me relationships. ”
Union Capital
2,945 members
49,531
2,205 members
17,514