About Us

Siria Rivera was born in the City of Brotherly Love, where her parents met after migrating from Puerto Rico at the age of 19. At a young age, Siria and her family moved to Southern New Jersey, however, her ties to Philadelphia remained strong as a large part of her family resides in the city. Siria has 15 years of community-based service delivery and management experience working with diverse populations, both at a regional and national level. As a first-generation Latina raised in a single parent household who struggled with mainstream schooling, she knows firsthand the obstacles many young people and families face in the city of Philadelphia. Siria’s passion for youth development, multi-generational services, and advocacy on behalf of families in low-income communities is derived from her personal experiences and passion for giving back. As a former high school dropout, she understands the importance of alternative routes and the power of enabling youth to see themselves beyond their current circumstances. Siria obtained a Masters in Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon University and studied Bilingual and Bicultural Studies at LaSalle University. Her role as Executive Director at Providence Center is much more than a job, it has proven to be a calling or a ‘coming home’, as Providence Center is located just blocks away from where Siria was born, in the community of Fairhill. Her work with Providence Center has allowed her to come full circle, giving back to the community that symbolizes the start of her journey.
Siria currently resides in Collingswood New Jersey with her husband and 16-year-old son, Najee, who is her biggest fan. She serves on her hometown’s Board of Education and hopes to inspire other young professionals of color to join their local school boards.

Carolann Torres is the Director of Development at Providence Center. She studied Community Planning and Development, and Social Policy at CUNY Hunter College. Carolann became passionate about serving Latino communities while doing community development work in East Harlem. She developed an interest in fundraising and development while working with a mental health and housing services provider for people experiencing homelessness. Carolann also has experience teaching and mentoring at Fordham University, where she developed and implemented a social justice curriculum for high school students.