About
YG InstituteThe YG Institute
Y. G. Institute is an I.R.S. certified 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization established in March 09, 2009 in Miami, Florida. We integrate families and communities in reentry; we do that by assessing individual/family needs and providing services, training, and/or referrals to have those needs met. We believe our communities are stronger when each individual in it is stronger.
Our services include:
- Self-improvement skills
- Positive coping strategies
- Building healthy habits or self-reinvention
- Financial literacy
- Personal Growth
- Self-awareness
- Referral to training and resources such as housing and employment
- Group meetings
- Training and Seminars/workshops in Business skills such as leadership, character, resume writing, and technical employment skills
- Public Speaking Skills
- Fill-out forms and paperwork
- Skills to start and run businesses including accounting and taxes
- Volunteer participation (high school requirements, court order and others)
- Interns Program (high school through PhD – international and domestic)
- Strategic alliances with community organizations (halfway houses, etc)
- Facilitate communication in community

History
In 1996 Yraida Guanipa (founder of Y. G. Institute) was sentenced to a draconian and now unconstitutional sentence as a first time non-violent offender for drug-related charges. During her incarceration, we maintained communication with Paul Simon (1928-2003) the former United States Senator. The idea about Y. G. Institute was born around August 13, 2002, when the former Senator wrote a letter on behalf of Yraida Guanipa and stated:: “Yraida Guanipa is one who really can make a real contribution to a better society”. He wrote more than 70 letters to Yraida Guanipa and/or on her behalf; in some of those letters, he encouraged her to dedicate herself to help others upon her release. For example, on November 07, 2002, he wrote: “I believe she is someone who is a credit to humanity and will continue to be”. On February 02, 2003, he wrote to her: “what enriches life is helping others… I am proud of you”, on July 14, 2003, he wrote to her: “ what you are doing is bringing pleasure to others and that is what life is all about… keep doing that”; and on September 19, 2003, he wrote her: “just remember that despite all the obstacles you are doing good things now, after your release … you will have greater opportunities for service”. On December 9, 2003, while Guanipa was waiting for a letter from Former Senator Simon the news on TV announced that he died that date. On that date, Ms. Guanipa decided that she will continue working helping others, and to honor his name she named the organization similar to his organization: Paul Simon Institute. Yraida Guanipa was released in 2006, and on March 09, 2009, Yraida Guanipa Institute was established.
Our Staff
Yraida Guanipa, MHRM,Ph.D(c)
President
yraida@yginstitute.org
Elina Lopez, RA
Vice President
elina@yginstitute.org
Elizabeth Blay-Parente
Program Director
elizabeth@yginstitute.org
Yelinda Garcia
Community Relations Director
yelinda@yginstitute.org
Orosmer Rodriguez
Web Master and IT
orosmer@yginstitute.org

Salma Mohammed
MDCPS SYIP 2020 Intern
Angelina Sarduy
MDCPS SYIP 2020 Intern
Gabriela Sanchez
MDCPS SYIP 2020 Intern

Amanda Del Campo
MDCPS SYIP 2020 Intern
Yaslin Melendez
MDCPS SYIP 2020 Intern
Lorena Hermelo
MDCPS SYIP 2020 Intern

Alquisha Corneille
MDCPS SYIP 2020 Intern
Our Board of Directors
David Ayala
Chairman of the Board
david@yginstitute.org
Harrell Henton, Minister and Author
Vice Chair
harrel@yginstitute.org
Carmen Simoza, MBA, MHRM,MACC
Treasurer
carmen@yginstitute.org
Robert Sanchez
Secretary
robert@yginstitute.org
Talula V. Aranguren, M.Ed
Volunteers Committee Chair
talula@yginstitute.org
Angel Sanchez
Programs Committee Chair
sandra@yginstitute.org
Sandra Munoz
Community Relations Committee Chair
sandra@yginstitute.org
Lucia Espinoza Nieto, Ph.D
Committee Chair for Mexico
lucia@yginstitute.org