Our Leadership — We've Got Your Back

Jose Amin Perez

In January of 2010, I was planning on traveling to visit my family in the Dominican Republic, my native country. A few days before leaving, there was a devastating earth quake in Haiti, a country that shares the island with the Dominican Republic. Before leaving, thankfully to the help of many members from my church and friends, we were able to raise money to take to Haiti, as well as a helping hand for those affected by the earth quake. We went into Haiti and it was devastating to see the sad reality of so many people. The most painful thing was to see the many children who didn't know what they would be eating that day, or where they would be sleeping. The truth is I had never seen a more depressing situation than what I experienced in Haiti. After two days in Haiti, while I was heading back into the Dominican Republic, something told me that I should do something more for the people and children. I would tell myself, "In the United States, there are many resources and I believe I can help them." That is when I got the idea to bring backpacks in the fall for the children of the Dominican Republic as well as to the children of Haiti. This was just the beginning of We've Got Your Back. The following year, in 2011, our team who worked the previous project continued to ask me, "Are you going to do another trip this year? I will help you. You can count on me." This motivated me even more to start a new project; which was greater than the previous year. Thanks to God, and our great team, we have been working on this amazing project. Our mission: "Our mission is to provide fully-equipped backpacks to underprivileged children for the opportunity to an education."What excites me most about We've Got Your Back is that our team works with a lot of passion just to see the smiles on the faces of the children who receive their backpacks.

Eyleen M. Lopez

In 2009, I signed up for a mission trip to the Dominican Republic with my church organization. After seeing the need of the people, I was adamant in returning to help. Little did I know that in 2011, I would become a board member of such a precious organization. I have served as the treasurer for two and half years and now serve as the Secretary for the organization. What excites me most about this organization is that it serves a selfless mission. Year after year, we come in knowing that our goal is to help the children; help them have the opportunity to an education. It's a small seed to plant to help better their future and the future of their country. While working in Guachupita, Dominican Republic, we asked a bunch of kids to line up to give them something small; two sheets of paper, a pencil and two crayons. You would have thought we had given them a million dollars. Their desire for something so small, lit a fire in my heart to continue helping ? this is my driving force.

Sherry Ceniceros

I became a part of WGYB as a result of a mission trip to Dominican Republic in 2009. Seeing the needs of the children drove my passion for social work in the direction of this organization. What excites me the most about being a part of WGYB is that by providing a fully-equipped backpack we are instilling hope, excitement, and empowerment in the lives of underprivileged children. Also, I get to work with a team of wonderful people who are passionate about helping and making a difference.

Rick Ceniceros

I became a part of the team when Jose Amin came to me with an idea, an idea that I fell in love with. This idea was something that could be tangible in less than a year's time. I've done volunteer work before but nothing quite grasped me like the idea of helping children who are unable to help themselves and in such a direct and sudden way. Being able to see the children's happiness derive directly from the help of our team's efforts is something that I still can't get over. It's such a special opportunity to be able to genuinely help someone in such a real-world and practical way. I'm a designer before anything else so I've been able to help small businesses/organizations get up and running with their brand and identity needs. I love designing for people who have a passion for what they're doing.

Abigail Saavedra

I became a part of We've Got Your Back in 2011, after going to my first mission trip to the Dominican Republic in 2009. It was a life changing experience to see the need for love and kindness in the world. It is very exciting to work with a team who has a love and fear of God. The WGYB team is a family with motivated loving individuals who want to make a difference in our community and the world. In the Dominican Republic, I remember a moment where the children lined up, waiting quietly with a smile, just to receive a pencil, crayons and paper.

Hector Robledo

I became a part of WGYB because my friend Jose Amin Perez invited me to go to Dominican Republic in 2012. I honestly didn't know what to expect, especially since it was a last minute invitation. However, it was an amazing experience and wanted to continue on this great journey. What excites me the most about WGYB is being able to give to people who need it more than me and seeing those amazing smiles from each and every child. To me, that's worth more than any great amount of money in this world. The only thing that I can share is that regardless of the hardships that people in third-world countries experience, they are still joyful and very thankful for what they have; the biggest lesson I've learned while being a part of We've Got Your Back.

Aaron Martinez

In 2011 at a seminary conference, Jose Amin Perez walked up to me and said, "You're going to the Dominican Republic for our next mission trip!" I don't know what he saw in me, perhaps my passion for helping people and having the willingness to serve. Since then, I've been part of WGYB.I believe it's our teams passion to serve that makes it exciting; meeting often to brainstorm for our upcoming trips. After our first backpack delivery, in the Dominican Republic, I remember, just before I got into the truck, a little girl came to me with a big smile and all she said was "Gracias!" (Thank you). That moment impacted me greatly.

Jairo Lerna

In January of 2016, God gave me the opportunity to travel to the country of Honduras on a mission trip. While in the trip I met some wonderful people with a purpose. Their purpose was to give a child a better future and the way they were going to accomplish that was giving out back packs to children of low income. When I first started working with them I didn’t know how big a simple book back with school supplies would impact a child’s life. At that trip I learned that some kids don’t go to school because his parents couldn’t provide school supplies for them. Just to see that grateful smile from a kid, when he got a book bag was enough for me to decide to join this organization and help them accomplish their purpose.