In 2023, Melissa Marrero and Natalie Ponce met while protesting for the families of Rodrigo(17yo), Susana (16) and Selena(25yo). On February 6, 2023, Rodrigo was found deceased by his parents, in an abandoned shed after being reported missing on February 4, 2023. Susana’s remains were found hours after Rodrigo in a wooded area, after being reported missing in July of 2022. Selena was reported missing as of October 2022, but the community was unaware due to the lack of media coverage and remains missing till today. Melissa worked for Hispanics United Alliance, HUA was advocating for missing Latinos in Georgia and Natalie Ponce was an Organizer at a different organization for many years. Natalie and Melissa saw the necessity of support and crime prevention in our community and decided to become “WeLATINOS” in July of 2024!
WeLATINOS continues to assist families of the missing Latinos in Georgia and advocate for victims of crime. Providing resources and education on crime prevention in English and Spanish!
Since its establishment in 2024, WeLATINOS has made considerable strides in forming valuable partnerships with diverse range of agencies and nonprofit organizations that resonate with our values and goals. These collaborative efforts have not only expanded our reach but have also significantly bolstered our ability to effectively support and advocate for the Latino community throughout Georgia. By joining forces with like-minded organizations, we are united in our mission to create a positive and lasting in the lives of those we serve.
