Community Advisory Board Members

A beloved resident of Washington Heights/Inwood (WH/I), Ruth Contreras (Ruthy) is a Hispanic; 38-year-old, mother of four with a long association with various social service systems. 

Raised in WH/I, Ruthy states she “always felt [she] needed to do something” to escape the life of poverty that forced her to start working at the age of sixteen.

In 2005, encouraged by the Office of Head Start’s two-generation approach, Ruthy gained a child development associate credentialing certificate which she put to use as an assistant teacher in the state of Pennsylvania; as a steward of her children’s school readiness journeys; and by advocating for the best educational experience for her third child who was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in 2016.     

In 2018, while working the graveyard shift at a local diner, a regular customer encouraged her to apply to Boricua College (BC) – Ruthy seized that opportunity; returned to school and continued her educational journey as the first member of her family to attend college. 

Ruthy is motivated to contribute her voice and passion to the mission of Siete-Shéva Associates, Inc. because she believes “culture and education are inseparable.”

“I want to strengthen the community by focusing learning activities on solution to the problems facing our people” – she said of her desire to suffuse community, culture, and education. 

Three of Ruthy’s children attend school in NYC’s public education system; the fourth is a newborn.

Ruthy is a passionate advocate for children with special needs.  She holds an Associate Degree in Human Services and is currently pursuing a Bachelors Degree in the same field.