When Maide came to the United States 12 years ago, she didn’t speak English. She didn’t know how to navigate life or work in a new country. What she did have was determination, professional experience, and a deep love for her community.
Today, Maide is the program manager of Puentes, one of CCC’s culturally specific recovery and mental health program supporting the Latino/a/e / Hispanic community and non-English Speakers in Portland. But her journey to that role is anything but ordinary.
“If someone told me back then that I would be the program manager of a bilingual program in the U.S., I would have laughed,” she said. “I didn’t even speak English when I arrived.”
From Cuba to Portland
Maide grew up in Cuba and worked for 12 years as a clinical psychologist. She loved her work—helping people of all ages with mental health needs, providing therapy, and teaching college classes. Eventually, she and her husband, an architect, made the decision to leave their home behind.
They found their way to Portland, where Maide worked as a hotel housekeeper and tried to take English classes, but exhaustion from long shifts made it hard to focus in class. So, she decided to teach herself English by reading, watching TV, and practicing every chance she got.
Her daughter, Dani, played a surprising role in that effort. When Maide asked her to translate in stores or at appointments, eight-year-old Dani always said no.
“I was frustrated at first,” Maide said. “But one day, she told me, ‘Mom, if I do it for you, you’ll never learn.’ And she was right. That moment changed everything for me.”
A Calling Reignited
Shortly after settling in Portland, Maide learned about CCC’s volunteer opportunities. She applied as a volunteer to support Puentes, drawn by the program’s Spanish-language services. It was a perfect fit for her to use her expertise in clinical psychology while supporting the Spanish-speaking community. For two years, she worked full-time as a housekeeper, volunteered at Puentes on her days off, and took classes to earn her certification to become a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC I).
“Those years were exhausting. I had no days off,” she said. “But I was learning how to work in the U.S., and I was getting closer to the work I love.”
With encouragement and guidance from program leadership, Maide was hired as an Alcohol & Drug (A&D) Counselor at Puentes in 2015. From there, her career took off. She earned additional certifications such as a CADC II and a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP), became a dual mental health and substance use clinician, then a clinical supervisor, and today, program manager.
Even now, in her leadership role, Maide continues to see clients one-on-one. “I love doing therapy,” she said. “That will always be part of who I am.”
Empowering Others
At Puentes, Maide leads with the same compassion and humility that carried her through her own journey. Every day, she works to uphold Puentes’ culture of care, advancement, and community.
“I believe in lifting people up,” she said. “I always ask my employees—what’s next for you? What do you want to grow into?”
Recently, Maide began teaching Spanish-language courses in the Addictions Program at Portland Community College, helping others overcome the language barriers she once faced. Her first cohort of students graduated on June 13th.
“Being able to teach in Spanish is so meaningful,” she said. “I remember how hard it was to take those classes in English. Now we’re helping people succeed in their own language.”
Despite all she’s achieved, Maide is humble. She sometimes struggles with imposter syndrome, wondering if she deserves to be in the role she’s in. But her colleagues—and the many clients she’s helped over the years—say without question that she absolutely does.
“We all work hard for our community,” she said. “Every person here matters. And I’m grateful every day to be part of this work.”
