Claudia Peregrina

Teaching artist at Mural Arts (Southeast by Southeast project) + community organizer focused on Latina women and youth.

Nomination:

Nominated by Jarrod Markman: She works with community members on art projects and helps with sexual and domestic violence — promoting several resources to support diverse needs in the most vulnerable communities.

About Claudia:

Claudia is a Teaching artist at Mural Arts and community organizer. Her community work often centers on Latina women and youth. Claudia is also a certified therapist in Mexico. She currently uses her variety of knowledge to help the Latino community feel welcome in Philadelphia.

Claudia started to volunteer for the community as soon as she arrived in Philadelphia, seventeen years ago. One day, a newcomer asked for a volunteer to take them to a medical appointment because they didn't speak English. Claudia offered to go with them, and just when they were close to talk to the doctor, Claudia confessed that she didn't speak English either and said, "I'm here because I don't want you to feel alone, so no worries, we can talk with signs because it's really important that you go to the doctor, don't miss this opportunity." 

She believes that when people don't feel alone, they can do anything, so building community is a central part of her work: "I've created support groups, so people feel included and feel they are doing different things and not just working, and they have space to, you know, to talk to have a nice time together." She is also a certified counselor for survivors of sexual violence and uses photography, embroidery, abstract art as a path to wellbeing.

 "I have the opportunity to be close to the newcomers, to welcome them, and say it will not be easy, but you are not alone."

Her art classes, support therapy, gathering resources for immigrants, and teaching Spanish are just a few examples of her work for the community. She tells us, "If you have some privilege, use that privilege to help others. The privilege is not for you to close your eyes about your privilege. The privilege is so you can learn and share that knowledge with others."

Article by I Belong Philly. Created by Cristina Zanoni and Ben Goebel.

Quotes from Claudia:

" If you have some privilege, use that privilege to help others. The privilege is not for you to close your eyes towards your privilege. The privilege is so you can learn and share that knowledge and resource with others."

"I have the opportunity to be close to the newcomers, to welcome them, and to say it will not be easy, but you are not alone. "

"This is my identity, it is what makes me strong when I remember my roots. I celebrate my roots through my art."