From Silence to Stregth: The Story Behind Despierta

Juliana Lozano is a Colombian-American social worker, therapist, mother, and survivor. Her story is not just one of overcoming, but of rising—and building something powerful from pain.

Juliana grew up in Gastonia, North Carolina, the daughter of Colombian immigrants and one of the only Latinas in her community. From a young age, she learned how to navigate the tension between two cultures: expected to fit in, but rarely feeling like she belonged. Like many first-generation daughters, she carried responsibilities far beyond her years—translating for her family, navigating systems alone, and often suppressing her own needs to survive.

But behind closed doors, Juliana was also carrying the weight of trauma. A survivor of intimate partner violence at the age of 17, she experienced firsthand what it means to feel silenced, isolated, and unseen. Rather than allowing her experiences to define her, she used them to fuel her purpose.

By the age of 22, Juliana had earned both a Bachelor’s in Social Work from UNC Charlotte and a Master’s in Social Work from the University of South Carolina, all while raising her young son, working full-time, and healing from her trauma. Her journey—both personal and professional—taught her that healing isn’t a solo process. Its something we do in community.

That belief is what led her to create Despierta. Founded in Charlotte, Despierta was born out of everything Juliana wished had existed for her growing up: a safe, culturally rooted space where Latina youth and women could feel heard, seen, and supported. What started as a vision has become a movement—supporting survivors, youth, and families through trauma-informed mental health education, therapy access, leadership development, and advocacy.

As a licensed therapist (LCSWA) and community advocate, Juliana has become a voice for change. She has spoken at multiple community events, been featured on local news, and continues to work at the intersection of healing and justice. In February 2023, she represented the LoveSpeaksOut Advocacy Council before the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners, speaking out during Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, and helping secure a proclamation that now recognizes the importance of this issue each year.

Today, Juliana serves as Vice President of the Umbrella Center Survivor Task Force, where she helps elevate survivor voices and advocate for trauma-informed systems change across the region. Under Juliana’s leadership, Despierta has grown to serve over 3,300 individuals through bilingual, culturally responsive programs across schools, community centers, and beyond. Whether it’s a young girl learning to set boundaries for the first time, or a mother accessing therapy in her native language—Juliana’s mission is to make sure no one has to walk through healing alone. Because healing doesn’t happen in silence.

And when one woman heals, entire communities rise.