About us

Casa Juana Colón, Apoyo y Orientación a la Mujer, Inc. is a nonprofit community organization founded in 2004 in Comerío, Puerto Rico, in response to the social and economic needs of women and their families in the central part of the island. Since its inception, the organization has worked to create spaces for companionship, guidance, and support for women facing multiple forms of inequality and violence.

Over time, Casa Juana Colón has expanded its mission to offer comprehensive services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, and human trafficking, including psychological support, case management, and specialized legal services. At the same time, it develops educational and community-based violence prevention initiatives aimed at children, youth, and communities.

Our work recognizes that gender-based violence is deeply linked to structural inequalities such as poverty, geographic isolation, and lack of access to services in rural communities. For this reason, we also promote community projects that foster education, economic autonomy, and community resilience, including disaster mitigation and preparedness initiatives that strengthen communities’ capacity to respond to emergencies and protect the most vulnerable populations.

Inspired by the historical figure of Juana Colón, a labor leader from Comerío who fought for social justice, the organization continues to work from central Puerto Rico to promote dignity, equity, and a life free from violence for women and their families.

Who inspire us?

At Casa Juana Colón, we deeply believe in the joy of accompaniment. To accompany means walking alongside those facing difficult moments, listening with respect, offering support, and recognizing the strength that exists within every person.

Our work is grounded in solidarity, empathy, and the belief that no woman should face violence or injustice alone. Every process of accompaniment represents an opportunity to rebuild hope, strengthen autonomy, and affirm the right of all people to live free from
violence.

Our Board of Directors

President

Ángeles Acosta Rodríguez

She holds a Master's Degree in General Psychology from the Central University of Barcelona, Spain, and a Master's Degree and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Caribbean Center for Postgraduate Studies. Her career spans 42 years of work primarily with children, adolescents, and young adults with developmental disabilities. In the area of activism, he belongs to the following organizations that work with human rights: Mesa Social, Comité Amplio para la Búsqueda de la Equidad (CABE), and Coalición Paz para la Niñez.

Treasurer

Eddie Ortiz Rivera

He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree and his specialty in Family Medicine from the University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus. As part of his professional career, he has provided direct patient care for over 20 years. His professional experience helps us provide greater access to medical services to the community.

Vocal

Ana Celia Cotto González

Ana Celia holds a Master's Degree in Theology from Divinity and is one of the founders of Casa Juana Colón.

Vocal

Julian Claudio Gotay

Julian Claudio Gotay is a lawyer who graduated from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus. He holds a Juris Doctor from PUCPR and an LL.M. in Human Rights from American University, George Washington College of Law. For more than 20 years, he worked at the Puerto Rico Legal Aid Society, where he directed several offices and the Juvenile Justice Program at the central level, participating in the Juvenile Justice System Reform that improved conditions for children and young people on the island.

Executive Director

Janice Soliván - Roig

She is the current Executive Director of Casa Juana Colón. She has a Master's degree in Women's and Gender Studies. She has 23 years of experience educating high school students. She also has extensive experience working with victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and dating violence.

Secretary

Maribel Tirado Gómez

She is a professor at the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus. She also works as a hematologist-oncologist at the University of Puerto Rico Cancer Center. As a member of the Board of Directors of Casa Juana Colon, she aims to participate in the creation of spaces for education and collaboration that contribute to the comprehensive and liberating development of women in Comerío and their social environment.

Vocal

Margarita Ayala Reyes

Secretary of the Board of Directors. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Sciences with a specialization in Biology and 30 university credits in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Human Resources Management. She is one of the founders of Casa Juana Colón.

Vocal

Osvaldo Burgos

He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree Magna Cum Laude and a Juris Doctor from the University of Puerto Rico, as well as graduate studies in Public Administration. With more than 30 years of experience in the practice of law, he has represented vulnerable communities in civil rights and human rights cases. Since 2007, he has run his own office, focusing on the defense of children with special needs and discrimination litigation. He has chaired and been a member of various human rights and social justice organizations. He is currently the spokesperson for the Broad Committee for the Pursuit of Equity (C.A.B.E.) and a professor at the Interamerican University School of Law, where he teaches special education and legal theory with an LGBTTIQA+ perspective.

Our team

Meet the team at Casa Juana Colón. We are proud of our work and strive to provide quality services at the right time and place. Our goal is to create a welcoming and enjoyable experience for everyone involved in our projects. We are driven by our commitment to a fair and caring society where human rights are fully respected.