Our History
The CIS was founded in 1993 after the signing of the Peace Accords that ended in El Salvador’s civil war. Solidarity groups from the United States, Canada, and Europe came together with Salvadoran grassroots organizations to address the root causes of the war and develop a center for people-to-people exchange and accompaniment of Salvadoran communities in their pursuit of social and economic justice and participatory democracy.
Our Mission
To be a sustainable institution that
promotes ties of solidarity among
communities in El Salvador and around the world,
strengthens social organization,
promotes human development and
contributes to the transformation of Salvadoran society.
Our Team
Leslie Schuld
Co-founder of CIS, August 1993, Executive Director since 1997. Bachelor’s Degree in History from the University of Dayton and Master’s Degree in Human Rights and Peace Education from the University of El Salvador, born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
María Bellini Castro Menjívar
CIS Administrador since 1994. Computer Engineer, born in Arcatao, Chalatenango
Evelyn Saraí Portillo Hernández
Delegation Coordinator since 2016. Bachelor’s Degree in educational science.
Silvia Emperatriz Guzmán
Coordinator of Promotion, Communication and Solidarity Crafts since 2021. Graduated in 2017 from University of El Salvador in Education Sciences, born in San Salvador.
Leonor del Carmen Huezo
Cleaning and Maintenance since 2009. Health Promoter, born in Suchitoto, Cuscatlán, displaced by the war and the 2001 earthquakes, she is a founding member of Romero Community in Tonacatepeque, where she now lives.
Yesenia Magaly Velasco Orantes, Accountant since 2021. Public Accounting Student, born in San Salvador, Magaly is a single mother with one son.
José Arturo Severo Espinoza
Coordinator of Scholarships and Youth Leadership Development Program since 2015. Bachelor’s Degree in Theology from the Central American University “Jose Simeon Cañas” (UCA).
Yeny Concepción Jirón Coordinator of the Salvadoran Enterprises for Women since 2018. Student at the Technological University of El Salvador, coursework finished in Business Administration. Born in the Community of San Antonio del Monte in Suchitoto, Cuscatlán.
Luis Arístides Aguillón Coordinator of Clean Water and Environment Program since 2011. Artisan, born in La Palma Chalatenango. He is married with three children.
Eva Coreas
Grassroots Organizer Estanzuelas
Since March, 2023
Student
Delmy Linarez
CIS grassroots organizer in Comasagua since 2010. Artisan, born in Comasagua, La Libertad.
Yessenia Flores
CIS social organizer in San Pedro Perulapan since 2009.
Rafael Josué Durán Guillén Social Promoter in San Rafael Cedros since 2017. Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from the Pedagogical University, born in San Rafael Cedros.
Vicenta Liliana Martínez Bernabé
Coordinator of the CIS Spanish School and Spanish Professor since 2013. Profesor of Literature, born in San Francisco Chinameca, La a Paz. She got involved in CIS through the San Francisco Chinameca Cultural Association.
Katherine Lino Human Right Assistant since 2023. Graduated in Foreign Affairs from University of El Salvador in 2023.
Víctor Manuel Andaluz Recinos
CIS English School Coordinator since 2012. Bachelor’s Degree in English with a Minor in Teaching from the University of El Salvador, born in San Juan Opico, La Libertad.
Los Olivos CIS Board of Directors
Marie Jordan (Mimi)
board member since 2006. Sr. Asst. Gen. Counsel, Millennium Trust Company.
Gary Ellis
Associate Director and Board Member since 2006. Retired as Executive Director at Riverton Community Housing in Minneapolis, Minnesota 2020.
Mike Tork
Treasurer and Board member since 2011. Retired NOAA Fisheries Biologist.
Mary Frances Ross
Board member since 2008. Professor Emeritus for Clinical Pharmacy Practice, Ferris State Univ. College of Pharmacy.
Rosemary Biggins
Board Member since 2009. LTC & Disability Program Manager, State of Washington, Aging and Disability Service Administration.
Sara Mulrooney
Board Member since 2008. School teacher at Arlington Public Schools.
Susan Mull
Chairwoman and Board Member since 2013. Practicing psychoanalyst in the Los Angeles area, senior faculty member and training supervisor at the Institute of Contemporary Psychoanalysis with a specialty in trauma.
Ed Osowski
Board Member since 2015. Attorney at Law.
Robyn Smith
Secretary and board member since 2016. Senior Attorney, Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles and Of Counsel, National Consumer Law Center.
Kerm Fendler
Board Member since 2019. Retired business executive.
CIS Board of Directors
Leslie Schuld President
Co-founder of CIS, August 1993, Executive Director since 1997.
Lisandra Soriano Vice President. From Guacotecti, Cabanas, Civil Engineer, graduated from the University of El Salvador.
Mariano Menendez Legal Representative. From San Pedro Perulapan, graduate in Business Administration from the University of El Salvador.
Héctor Díaz
Secretary. Héctor was a CIS scholarship recipient in the Municipality of Mejicanos. He graduated with a career in Public Accounting and Business Administration in 2018.
Arnulfo Meléndez
Treasurer.Arnulfo is part of the CIS Scholarship and Leadership Development Program, he recently, graduated with a degree in Public Accounting at the University of El Salvador.
Cathy Howell
First At-Large Member. Cathy graduated with a degree in Sociology from the University of Pittsburg and by career is a retired union organizer from the United States.
Geovanny Flores
Second At-Large Member, from San Rafael Cedros, Architect and Urban Development Engineer, graduate of the Federal University of Latin American Integration (UNILA) in Brazil.
FAQs
+ How can I donate?
The best way to donate is on our Donate page on our website. You can pay by credit card or through a PayPal or Stripe account.
If you prefer, you can donate by check, money order or wire transfer:
Checks and money orders in US dollars can be made out to Los Olivos CIS and sent to our U.S. office at: Los Olivos CIS, PO Box 76, Westmont, IL, 60559-0076, USA.
For wire transfers, contact us directly for instructions at [director@cis-elsalvador.org]1.
+ What programs are most urgent or in greatest need of support from donors?
During the COVID-19 pandemic we have not generated the revenues from program activities -- the language school, the sale of fair-trade crafts, and the hosting of delegations -- that typically cover administrative costs.
The program areas with greatest need for funding are the following:
• Emergency Fund for COVID-19 and Tropical Storm Amanda: Provides food and household supplies for families unable to meet their basic needs. Tropical Storm Amanda hit El Salvador in June 2020 and caused massive flooding, property destruction and the loss of lives. Also, this fund helps students with CIS scholarships access their classes that have moved online with internet service and/or laptops, shared by multiple students.
• General Fund
• Clean Water and Environment Fund
• Dignified Housing Fund
• Youth Scholarships and Leadership Development
Visit our Donate page to see more.
+ Is my donation tax deductible?
Donors who are residents of the United States can make a tax-deductible donation through our U.S. 501c3, LOS OLIVOS CIS. When you donate to LOS OLIVOS CIS, you will receive a receipt acknowledging your donation that can be used for tax-filing purposes in the United States.
Alternatively, we can provide a letter for donations sent directly to CIS in El Salvador if requested. Please write to [director@cis-elsalvador.org] if you would like to request this.
[3]: mailto: director@cis-elsalvador.org
+ Where are you located in El Salvador?
We are located at Ave. Aguilares y Ave. Bolívar #103, Colonia Libertad, San Salvador, El Salvador.
The office is centrally located by the University of El Salvador and across the street from Instituto Ricaldone. See us on the map of our [Contact Us] page.
CIS depends on your donations to keep all our programs running.
The best way to donate is on our Donate page on our website. You can pay by credit card or through a PayPal or Stripe account.
If you prefer, you can donate by check, money order or wire transfer:
Checks and money orders in US dollars can be made out to Los Olivos CIS and sent to our U.S. office at: Los Olivos CIS, PO Box 76, Westmont, IL, 60559-0076, USA.
For wire transfers, contact us directly for instructions at director@cis-elsalvador.org