Yoana has grown up the last seven years as a farmworker advocate. She has been a key voice and leader in Homestead speaking up against the abuse and exploitation that farmworkers like her mother face daily. She has led other youth as part of a campaign to shut down Homestead Detention Center, which was the largest detention center for migrant children in the U.S.
Yoana is a talented artist who uses her art to depict the injustices that immigrant families have had to face. When she is not advocating, she likes to free paint and watch anime. She enjoys spending time with friends and family cooking. She hopes to become an accomplished pastry chef specializing in cakes.
Artist statement:
“So, when I found out that my people were being ambushed, attacked, and having their hard-earned money stolen, I became enraged and furious. Our hard-working street vendors were being discriminated upon and having to go through verbal abuse and be harassed during work. Without realizing my face started tearing up at the fact no one was talking about it or taking action.
As a rising Youth I tell myself to be the change I want to see in this world, I carry the power to make a huge impact in society so without hesitation. Immigrant families don't have the luxury to stay home even in this pandemic. As a person who fights for immigrant rights, I was devastated when I found out an elderly paletero vendor was attacked by three men. I painted this in his memory and to show the realities and dangers immigrants face in America.”
