The Strength Lies in Community. Sandra Uribe de la Fuente’s Story

Turning a Vision into Action

Sandra Uribe de la Fuente believes that mental health care should be accessible to every member of Utah's Hispanic immigrant community. As the founder of I Am BienEstar, a nonprofit dedicated to providing mental health resources and services, she has spent years supporting individuals and families navigating the challenges of migration, cultural adjustment, and emotional well-being.

When Sandra enrolled in the Westside Leadership Institute's Startup Course in 2024, she was looking for something specific: practical guidance on how to grow and sustain her organization.

"Yo estaba queriendo encontrar la parte operativa… de cómo llevar a cabo mi proyecto de atención a las personas en el área de salud mental" ("I was trying to figure out the practical aspects… of how to carry out my project to provide care for people in the field of mental health"), she recalls.

Her commitment to that goal was evident from the beginning. Throughout the spring, summer, and fall sessions, Sandra attended every class, often waking before dawn to make the drive from Provo to Salt Lake City. Long commutes and busy schedules never deterred her from investing in her vision and her community.

Finding Mentorship and Community

What Sandra discovered at WLI went far beyond operational knowledge. She found a network of mentors, instructors, and peers who shared her commitment to creating positive change.

One experience in particular left a lasting impression. An instructor who led an arts-based nonprofit became a powerful example of the kind of leader Sandra aspired to be.

"Para mí, ver a una mujer liderando una organización… fue como yo quiero ser como ella!" ("For me, seeing a woman leading an organization… made me think, 'I want to be just like her!'")

Through instructors who combined professional expertise with real-world experience, Sandra gained confidence in her own leadership journey. Equally important were the relationships she built with fellow participants.

"Las relaciones entre los que participamos. Pude conocer de los proyectos de otras personas y eso me ha motivado porque es como saber que somos muchas las personas que estamos interesadas en hacer cosas" ("The relationships among those of us who participate. I got to learn about other people's projects, and that has motivated me because it's like realizing that there are so many of us who are interested in getting things done.")

Those connections did not end when the course concluded. Sandra continues to collaborate with several members of her cohort, including a nonprofit leader focused on supporting children. The partnerships formed through WLI have become an ongoing source of encouragement, collaboration, and shared learning.

Growing I Am BienEstar

The knowledge, confidence, and relationships Sandra gained through WLI helped accelerate the growth of I Am BienEstar.

Since completing the program, she has focused on expanding the organization's capacity by building a dedicated team, incorporating peer specialists, and creating partnerships with universities that provide internship opportunities for future mental health professionals.

Looking ahead, Sandra is preparing to launch a mental health initiative specifically designed for adult men, a population that often faces cultural barriers and stigma around seeking support.

"Pensar que los hombres cuiden su salud mental es otra cosa. Todavía más impensable, ¿verdad? Entonces eso es en lo que estamos trabajando ahorita" ("The idea that men would take care of their mental health is a whole different story. Even more unthinkable, right? So that's what we're working on right now.")

By addressing these gaps in care, Sandra hopes to create new pathways for healing and support within the community she serves.

Resilience as a Community Strength

Building and sustaining a nonprofit organization is not without challenges. Economic uncertainty and changing circumstances have affected participation in community programs, creating obstacles for many organizations serving immigrant populations.

Yet Sandra remains inspired by what she sees as her community's greatest strength: resilience.

"Nuestra comunidad es bien resiliente… no es una comunidad dependiente y sabemos cómo generar nuestros propios recursos" ("Our community is very resilient… it's not a dependent community, and we know how to generate our own resources.")

That belief continues to guide her work. Despite limited federal funding, I Am BienEstar remains active through partnerships with local organizations, support from small foundations, dedicated volunteers, and strong community relationships.

For Sandra, one of the organization's greatest accomplishments is its ability not only to survive, but to continue growing.

"Es mantenernos. Mantenernos trabajando, operando, pero además, seguir creciendo" ("It's about keeping things going. Keeping us working, keeping us running, but also continuing to grow.")

Balancing Leadership, Work, and Family

As a mother, nonprofit leader, and full-time professional, Sandra understands the challenge of balancing multiple responsibilities. While many people fear stepping into leadership roles, she believes the greater challenge is finding ways to manage the time, energy, and resources required to sustain them.

"No tengo miedo de cómo sería. Más bien, el miedo es a cómo acomodas todo lo demás que ya está en tu vida. Eso es lo más difícil… Tienes que acomodar tu tiempo, tus recursos y tu energía" ("I'm not afraid of what it would be like. Rather, the fear is about how you'll juggle everything else that's already in your life. That's the hardest part… You have to juggle your time, your resources, and your energy.")

Her approach reflects the same resilience and determination she encourages in others.

Looking Forward

Today, Sandra continues to expand the impact of I Am BienEstar while developing new programs that address critical mental health needs in Utah's Hispanic immigrant communities.

She also hopes to return to the Westside Leadership Institute in a new role—as a mentor and instructor. Just as mentors and peers helped shape her leadership journey, she hopes to inspire future community leaders to transform their own ideas into meaningful action.

Sandra's story is a reminder that leadership does not happen in isolation. It grows through community, collaboration, and the willingness to keep showing up. Through her work, she demonstrates that when people invest in one another, lasting change becomes possible.

This profile was researched and written by University of Utah students Jennifer Aguilar and Joaquin Lopez Huertas based on interviews conducted as part of the WLI Alumni Profile Series. The series explores how WLI graduates apply leadership skills developed through the Westside Leadership Institute to strengthen their communities. The project is led by Dr. Stacy Harwood and supported by funding from the College of Architecture + Planning Research Incentive Seed Grant Program and the University Neighborhood Partners Community Scholar in Residence Program at the University of Utah.