C. Yahaira Barrientos earned a master’s in social work degree from Florida Atlantic University. Yahaira is a mental health provider and is currently working on her sexual therapist certification. Her experience as a mental health provider extends to working with HIV/AIDS, Substance Use, Schizophrenia, and Sexual Assault among others. Yahaira was twice inducted into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.
Yahaira was born in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. After completing basic academics, Yahaira moved to New York City to pursue a career in the Fashion industry. While in NYC, Yahaira advocated for transgender rights and was part of the Gender Identity Project. During her time in New York City, Yahaira met transgender advocates like Sylvia Rivera, Marsha P. Johnson, Yvonne Ritter, and Carla Roldos among other transgender advocates/leaders in NYC.
After moving to South Florida, Yahaira continued her activism through the THIA advisory group and was assigned member of the Broward Regional HIV/AIDS Planning Council, serving as a member of the Priority Setting & Resource Allocation, System of Care, and Nominating committees. Member of Latinos en Action and THIA advisory group, under the Broward Prevention Planning Counsel. Community members of Poverello Food Bank and Thrift Store. While being a member of the community advisory board, Yahaira worked on various programs with Poverello Thrift Store, helping disenfranchised communities integrate into the job market. Yahaira collaborated with other agencies in both counties; Miami-Dade and Broward County; UnityCoaliton, Survivor Pathway, SurServe, Pride, etc.
