About Us
The Raíces Foundation is a Christian nonprofit dedicated to spreading love through acts of service — supporting the food-insecure, the incarcerated, and the sick through education and care. Founded by Astrid Vargas, the organization was born out of a deeply personal testimony: her mother, Yolanda Vargas, experienced healing from an aggressive sarcoma by the grace of God. This miracle affirmed the power of prayer, which remains central to our mission. We offer personalized prayer to anyone seeking it, having witnessed its transformative power firsthand.
At Raíces, we are grounded in the values of God’s love and the biblical call to love our neighbor as ourselves. Every initiative we lead is personal, rooted in the Vargas family's story, and carried out with compassion and intention.
We proudly uphold a policy of nondiscrimination. The Raíces Foundation does not—and shall not— discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status in any of our programs or operations. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, welcoming environment for all staff, volunteers, clients, subcontractors, and partners.
Our goal is simple: to be a light in the world, sharing hope and faith in times of need.
Our Mission
The Raíces Foundation exists to embody the love of God by serving those in need through education, compassionate outreach, and the power of prayer. Rooted in faith and inspired by personal testimony, we are committed to uplifting the food-insecure, the incarcerated, and the sick—sharing hope, healing, and dignity with every neighbor we encounter.
Our Vision
At Raíces Foundation, our vision is to extend love and empower individuals during their most vulnerable seasons — whether they’re facing illness, injustice, or systemic barriers. Guided by faith and fueled by compassion, we walk alongside underserved communities with practical support, healing-centered care, and intentional connection.
Our current initiatives include:
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Cancer Patient Support: Financial, wellness, and spiritual care for patients whose first language is not English.
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Prison Book Drive: Donating books to correctional institutions in the Northeastern U.S. to promote hope, literacy, and restoration.
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Colombia Food Drives: Serving food-insecure communities in Bucaramanga, Colombia through seasonal and holiday meal distributions.
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MIVA Togo Library Project: Partnering to create access to books, education, and opportunity for youth in West Africa.
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MNW Scholarship Program: Uplifting first-gen, low-income, and immigrant students pursuing service, health equity, and education through financial support and mentorship.
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Healing & Health Hub: Providing multilingual wellness content, mental health resources, and community-driven workshops focused on resilience and care.
Meet the Team
Yolanda Vargas is the inspiration and spiritual heart behind Raíces Foundation Inc. Her powerful testimony of surviving an aggressive form of sarcoma cancer became the seed that grew into a mission of faith, healing, and service. Yolanda shares her story to encourage others and remind the world that God is alive and miracles happen daily. Her favorite reminder — “God has the last say in any situation” — anchors the foundation’s belief in hope. Through Raíces, Yolanda continues to impact lives by offering a living example of resilience, grace, and unwavering faith. Her presence reminds everyone that healing is a journey worth sharing. She continues to walk with the community, not only as a survivor but as a spiritual guide whose love and faith light the path forward.
Gerard Lapuente, born and raised in Miami, Florida, is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Psychology at Pomona College as a Posse Miami Scholar. As the current Public Health and Community Wellness Intern at Raíces Foundation, Gerard leads initiatives that center mental health, education, and equity for immigrant and underserved communities. Currently, he manages the website, social media, and is working to launch projects in the future with Raíces, in hopes of tackling more societal issues we face. With a background in health, digital strategy, community building, and nonprofit outreach, Gerard brings both heart and innovation to every project. His past work includes supporting organizations like Easterseals South Florida and mentoring youth through health and education-focused initiatives.
Astrid Vargas serves as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Raíces Foundation Inc., a Christian nonprofit deeply rooted in her lived experiences and unwavering faith. After witnessing her mother’s miraculous healing from an aggressive cancer diagnosis, Astrid felt called to create a space that would offer others the same love, care, and hope that carried her family through. She leads Raíces’ global initiatives—bridging communities across the U.S., Colombia, and Togo through projects that support cancer patients, underserved students, incarcerated individuals, and families facing food insecurity. Astrid’s leadership reflects a deep commitment to walking with others through their most vulnerable seasons, embodying the foundation’s core mission of loving our neighbors.
Daniela Gómez Hernández, born and based in Bucaramanga, Colombia, brings years of experience in client care, community service, and faith-driven leadership. As the current Regional Representative for Raíces Foundation in Colombia, Daniela supports and coordinates local projects that focus on healing, education, and connection for underserved communities. With a background as a manicurist and certified sales technician — and currently training to become a full stylist — she combines her hands-on skills with a deep passion for helping others. Known for her honesty, empathy, and proactive spirit, Daniela is committed to showing God’s love through action. She hopes to use her role at Raíces to serve individuals facing barriers and to remind them they are not alone.
“No estamos calmando el hambre de todo el mundo, pero al menos hacemos la diferencia en unas pocas personas.”
Yolanda, CEO