Advisory Board Members

All through my childhood, my mother was always backing a cause or combating social injustices. Something we did quite frequently was bring food, such as bread and hams, to homeless shelters or those who were in need. Since this was a staple in my upbringing, working to help others in crisis is a big part of who I am.

I have four biological children of my own. But, in 2009, my husband and I felt called to take in a 16-year old teenager from Mexico who was alone in the United States and looking for a family. I remember thinking to myself that although it was going to be difficult, I would want someone to help me if I were in that situation. Through hard work and determination, he was able to graduate high school as well as college, and currently holds a full-time job serving the homeless.

I co-founded Misión de Caridad with my Mexican Pastor and friend Francisco when we both were heartbroken over the injustices facing women and children sleeping in the streets, while waiting in line to seek asylum in the United States. We did not feel strongly about asylum or the political aspects but instead we were concerned for the vulnerable women alone and at risk with children who were not attending school and how desperate and scary it must feel with no place to turn and no resources.  We knew that combining our efforts with me in the United States and Francisco in Mexico, we could combine our gifts to make a difference together. When I’m not focusing on MdC, I’m working in my full-time career as a Sales Executive, which I’ve held for more than 30 years. No matter what I’m doing, I genuinely care for people.

Like Jean, my childhood was full of helping others. My family continuously sponsored children from the Honduras and Brazil. It was through this that I was able to comprehend the challenges certain people face. I was raised with strong Christian values and I made a conscious decision to follow Christ and His teachings in my life. I knew I had to be true to my faith and live my life consistent with what I believe, so when I saw a crisis building at our border endangering the lives of women and children I knew I had to respond.

I am from Mexico, so I am fully conscious of the struggles people from my country are encountering. All they want is safety and a better life, and at times will do anything to get it. People always heard about the “American Dream” and stories of those that tap into the opportunities the United States offers. So, they make an effort to find out for themselves. But during the risky process, they either disappear, are abused at the border, suffer, or even die. This issue drove me to join Merge Ministries in 2012, where I began leading mission teams to improve the lives of people in their own countries through: medical missions, Biblical teaching, educational programs, caring for orphans, and much more. In the Fall of 2018,

I noticed that more and more people were coming to my town of San Luis Rio Colorado because of the border crossing we have. While they would wait in long lines for their chance to cross the US/Mexican border legally, families would be sleeping on the streets. One day when speaking with Jean, we started to talk about our strong feelings on this crisis at the border, and it was then we decided to partner together to start an organization to provide housing and resources to help refugees in Mexico.  

Ray Young is a seasoned business and technology executive with over 25 years of experience. He has held executive positions at Uplight, Accenture, and Cloud Sherpas, where his focus has been on operationalizing growth and building scale in VC-backed global technology firms.

Currently a partner at Momentum Partners, Ray collaborates with VC and private equity firms to help early-stage and VC-backed firms achieve the next level of organic and M&A-driven growth, as well as scale. Originally from Canada, he now resides in Reading, MA, with his wife and three children. Ray enjoys cooking with friends, and the outdoors, and is a severe petrolhead.

Here at Misión De Caridad, Ray Young brings his experience working in high-growth companies to the organization's mission. His expertise in business and technology, coupled with his passion for empowering women and children, makes him a valuable asset to the Misión de Caridad’s endeavors.

When I was just eight years old, my family migrated from Korea to the United States with just a few hundred dollars to our name. We chose to settle in Queens, NY – and I couldn’t be more blessed with the people we came to know. Our community was loving and caring. They supported my family and I tremendously, making us feel valued and wanted. I was fortunate to be exposed to people who have such an encouraging and caring attitude towards immigrants. Not all who come to the United States are gifted with this – and we know that from things we’ve been hearing in the news. The attitude of the people from my community and Queens was a crucial part of my childhood because it formed who I am today. I want to give back to communities and take care of them – the way it was done for my family and me.

Because of their love and support, I was able to not only attend but graduate from Harvard School of Dental Medicine. I work as a dentist at my own dental practice in Wellesley, and frequently do pro-bono work for those who need it. Do you see the ripple effect caring people can create? In the past, I’ve participated in four dental trips to the Honduras and Bolivia. Because of the vast amount of time spent in these countries, I have a special place in my heart for those from South and Central America. We all know about the tens of thousands of refugees desiring a better life that attempt to travel to the United States in order to attain it. But, it’s not always pretty – or even humane.

Misión de Caridad offers me a way to channel my passion and energy to support those in distress. I know I can’t fix the whole problem, but I can certainly start on one part of it. Misión de Caridad lets me do just that.

Chuck has spent his career developing technology for use in schools. Starting with Bank Street College of Education in the early '80s, Chuck has been involved with building digital products for most of the large educational publishers and many smaller firms.

Over the years Chuck has supported and advised a number of organizations seeking to advance human flourishing through education, humanitarian aid, and sharing the Christian faith. Currently, Chuck serves on the boards of VHS Learning and Christians for Social Action.

Chuck and his wife Janet live in Lexington, MA with an ever-changing group of family members as their four, young adult children navigate college, grad school, and starting careers. Chuck and Janet worship at Covenant Church in Arlington, MA.