Hispanic Heritage Month: Mother, daughter team fight foreclosures, bullying, domestic violence

 

 

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SPRINGFIELD — After several experiences losing her apartments due to foreclosure Marisol Feliciano Rivera decided to do something about it.

Although not a home owner herself Feliciano Rivera often had to leave her apartments after the owners would lose their homes to foreclosure.

"It came to a point where the Department of Children and Families took my daughter away because I could not keep her in the same school. At one point I had to move three times in one year. Often times I wouldn't even be able to get my belongings because the houses were shut down and we were all removed from the property," she said.

Two years ago, after much discussion with her mother Paula Rivera, the women decided to open the non-profit agency Rivera & Rivera Act Against Foreclosure Inc.

Within that time she found stable employment, purchased her own home and recovered her daughter.

Since then she and her mom have worked tirelessly to help families who find themselves facing foreclosure.

The organization connects people with social service programs they may not even know about, but might find themselves needing if they lose their home, from referrals for food, domestic violence and homeless shelter, drug abuse rehabilitation programs and more.

The organization collects clothing for children and women living in the Prospect House Family Shelter and works with a program called After Incarceration for women who have just been released from prison. The women have even expanded to schools and have an anti-bullying program they promote.

They are also involved with a program called "Women Striving to be Brave," which informs women on the dangers of domestic violence, how to prevent it and how to report it.

Paula Rivera said she has always had a desire to help her community and working with her daughter has been the best way to achieve it.

"My mother was always very involved in the community. I grew up going to church and helping others was always a big part of my upbringing," she said.

Now she is doing the same with her daughter, Rivera said.

The two hope to one day open up a larger office where they can see more people and assist more families.

"That is our dream, to have a large space where the community can gather and get information on any services they may need," Feliciano Rivera said.