EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: Aida Cintron
Nominated by Lisandra Maysonet, Director of Teen Residential Services
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” – John Quincy Adams
For nearly 10 years, Aida Cintron has been a steadfast and gracious force at the YWCA. Aida’s strength is her ability to lead with her heart, while remaining an effective and inspirational leader.
Aida started at the YWCA as a per diem Direct Service Advocate. Said Aida, “It was during this time that I discovered my passion for the YWCA’s powerful mission and the deeply meaningful work done here.”
A Bay Path University alumna, Aida earned a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice in 2009, followed by a Master’s degree in Developmental Psychology in 2012. Aida accomplished these academic goals while working full-time at the Connecticut Department of Corrections and raising her child as a single mother.
Prior to coming to the YWCA Aida had not worked in the nonprofit field, having only worked for the state for the majority of her professional life. “Over my 28-year career at the DOC, I developed and honed the skills necessary for working with individuals in need—skills rooted in empathy, structure, and human connection,” she said.
Now, as a Case Manager for the YWCA’s Springfield Young Parent Program (SYPP), Aida provides a range of supportive services, including intake assessments, referrals to external medical and housing resources, and the facilitation of group therapy. With programs in Springfield and Holyoke, the Young Parent Program is a transitional, residential congregate program that serves young women, ages 13 to 22, who are either pregnant or parenting. Added Aida, “I also offer guidance and advocacy in any area where the young women and their families need support, helping them navigate challenges with compassion and care.”
“Aida has shown unwavering dedication to SYPP through her consistency and willingness to go beyond the needs of the program,” said Lisandra Maysonet, Director of Teen Residential Services. “Aida’s commitment to the participants in our program embodies the mission of the YWCA. She actively supports and uplifts women in our organization, mentoring others and creating a welcoming environment where everyone feels appreciated.”
Aida’s upbringing was a formative experience that shaped how she approaches and serves the young parents in SYPP. Growing up in a strict household, Aida says she often felt that her voice was unheard. “As I matured, I discovered a calling to support individuals who, like me, may have felt silenced or unsupported,” she said. “It was thanks to a remarkable mentor, Edward Korza, who helped instill in me the confidence to recognize my worth and abilities, that I truly began to see the value I could bring to others.”
Added Lisandra, “Aida is a true representation of what it means to be compassionate and empowering. Her presence has a way of making others feel good about themselves and motivates them to be the best version of themselves.”
Aida shared that facilitating group therapy with the young women in her program has been especially profound. “These sessions have become a safe space where the girls can connect, express themselves, and be truly seen beyond the circumstances or labels society may place on them,” she said.
“It allows me to witness their inner strength and beauty—not just who they appear to be, but who they are at their core. In turn, this work has touched me deeply on a spiritual level. The relationships we have built, both individually and as a group, are rooted in mutual respect, vulnerability, and healing. What they may not realize is that their growth nourishes my own, and I am endlessly grateful to walk this path alongside them.”
Concluded Aida, “finding the YWCA felt like discovering a missing piece of my life’s puzzle—a place where I could empower women, lend my voice to those who needed one, and contribute to a village of support and advocacy.”
