Programs Assistant Spotlight: Welcoming Yakahiris Vazquez
We’re excited to welcome Yakahiris Vazquez to the Touchstone Foundation team! Yakahiris brings a deep passion for youth mental wellness, cultural equity, and community-centered work—values that closely align with our mission.
A Path Rooted in Community
Yakahiris is a first-generation Mexican American woman, born and raised in Lancaster, PA. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Developmental Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Social Work at Millersville University.
Her journey into this field is deeply personal. Growing up in a Hispanic community, she witnessed firsthand the gaps in culturally relevant services—experiences that continue to fuel her commitment to advocacy and equity.
Turning Experience into Impact
Yakahiris shared that her passion stems from a desire to create more inclusive and accessible systems of support, especially for underserved communities. Her work today reflects that mission, with a strong focus on representation, language access, and reducing barriers to care.
Currently, she is conducting research centered on first-generation Hispanic students, exploring how mental health, sense of belonging, and service utilization intersect. Through this work, she’s helping uncover the systemic and cultural factors that influence how young people seek support—and how we can do better.
A Full Circle Moment
Yakahiris’s connection to Touchstone Foundation makes this position especially meaningful. As a former scholarship recipient, joining the team now represents a full circle moment—one where she can give back to both the organization and the community that supported her.
She shared how deeply she resonates with Touchstone’s values of being caring, collaborative, visible, and grounded in a whole-person approach—principles she’s excited to put into action during her time with us.
Looking Ahead
During her internship, Yakahiris is eager to expand her experience beyond direct (micro and mezzo) work and grow her skills at the macro level—focusing on systems, policy, and broader community impact.
Her long-term vision is to develop sustainable, culturally aligned mental health initiatives that can be expanded across communities, helping create a more equitable future for youth mental wellness.
Beyond the Work
Outside of her academic and professional life, Yakahiris enjoys reading, thrifting, crocheting, and exploring new creative hobbies. This year, she’s even taken up golf and running—always open to trying something new.
Join us as we welcome Yakahiris to our team. We’re proud to have join our mission, and can’t wait to see the impact she’ll make.
