“I’m a Latina woman who enjoys contributing to the development of the broader community and continuing the legacy of those who came before us,” said Yocasta Lora proudly during a Charla de Impacto
Twenty-four years after arriving in the United States without speaking English and starting out—like many others—with a cleaning job, Yocasta Lora has become one of the most recognized voices advocating for the rights of older adults in Pennsylvania. A mother of three daughters, she holds a degree in Business Administration from La Salle University, with additional studies at Harvard and Yale. For nearly a decade, she has served as Associate State Director of Advocacy and Community & Corporate Engagement for AARP in the Philadelphia region.
From her early steps at the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to her current leadership role at one of the nation’s most influential organizations, her journey has been guided by a clear mission: creating space, amplifying Latino voices, and building bridges across communities.
This proud Dominican is also a commissioner on the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women under Governor Josh Shapiro, a member of Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s H.O.M.E. Initiative Advisory Council, and a board member of Philadelphia250.
A story of resilience and Latino leadership
When Yocasta arrived in the U.S. more than two decades ago, her life looked very different.
“I didn’t speak English, and hadn’t finished college. I started working as a housekeeper in a hotel until I learned the language,” she recalls proudly.
That learning process laid the foundation for her academic journey, eventually earning her degree from La Salle University.
Her professional beginnings were at the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, where she learned the importance of connecting the U.S. business world with the needs of the Latino community.
“We always focused on making sure the Chamber helped elevate Latino visibility in business to attract resources and opportunities for our people,” she explains.
That experience paved the way for her role at AARP, which serves 1.8 million members in Pennsylvania and over 38 million nationwide.
“Connecting with the corporate, legislative, and community worlds has shaped me and helped define not just where I want to be, but what I can contribute,” she says.
Resilience, faith, and community
Yocasta is deeply aware of both the strengths and challenges Latinos face in the U.S. She highlights resilience as a defining trait of her community:
“Americans can learn from us about community and resilience—our concept of family goes beyond parents and children to include neighbors, friends, and acquaintances. It’s a way of life that, when brought into the workplace, strengthens teamwork, commitment, and the collective desire to move forward.”
She also reflects on what Latinos can learn from American culture:
“We’re very emotional, which is a strength in many ways, but sometimes we need to balance that passion. In certain contexts, we must set emotions aside and act with assertiveness, reflection, and strategy—especially when representing ourselves and preparing to occupy spaces that historically haven’t been ours.”
Her message to younger generations—often labeled the “glass generation”—is clear and urgent:
“We’re seeing young people disconnected from one another, trapped in their devices, lacking meaningful relationships. Humans are meant to connect and live in community. That disconnection is fueling depression, loneliness, and even mental health issues.”
Using power to serve the vulnerable
In her role at AARP, Yocasta Lora has led key initiatives that have significantly improved the quality of life for older adults in the region. Among them is her involvement in a 30,000-unit affordable housing program in collaboration with Mayor Cherelle Parker, as well as efforts to expand low-cost housing, local library programs, safe and affordable transportation, and road safety education—benefiting not only seniors but also their families.
“We’ve helped install more lights, signs, and cameras, and launched driver awareness programs. These efforts have noticeably reduced traffic incidents affecting older adults,” she shares.
Her work goes beyond policy advocacy. Yocasta also promotes volunteerism among seniors, a concept she acknowledges is not always deeply rooted in Latino culture.
“In our culture, retirement is often dedicated to family—my mom, for example, retired and now cares for her grandchildren or travels back to our home country. But volunteering keeps seniors connected, gives them purpose, and allows them to continue contributing to society. I myself want to be a volunteer when I retire.”
Faith, education, and family: Her pillars of strength
Yocasta shares that she comes from a humble family with four siblings, raised with strong values: faith, education, and hard work.
“My mantra has always been: God first, then my home and my family. Education was fundamental in our household. Those values gave me the strength to leave my homeland and face the uncertainty of moving to a foreign country—without ever losing hope or my sense of identity.”
Today, those same principles guide how she raises her daughters and how she envisions community.
“Together we can overcome the greatest challenges, and together we can celebrate. Family, education, and faith are the foundation of our Latino community.”
For Yocasta, it’s essential to promote multigenerational programs that allow youth and elders to interact and learn from one another.
“I’m convinced there are far more things that unite us than divide us between generations,” she says. In her view, this exchange would not only strengthen community bonds but also better prepare young people to face today’s challenges.
A global perspective rooted in humanity
Yocasta’s leadership has taken her beyond borders. As a Zhi-Xing China Eisenhower Fellow, she spent a month in China in 2025, visiting six cities and meeting with 28 organizations across various sectors.
“This journey made something very clear: we are a small part of a vast world, but we all share the same desires—to live in peace, to grow, to belong. Beyond language, culture, or politics, what truly unites us is our shared humanity. It’s about building relationships, generating trust, and contributing value from a human-centered perspective.”
Celebrating and elevating Latino heritage
True to her commitment to the community, Yocasta is also helping lead the celebration of Hispanic heritage in the Delaware Valley, where the Dominican community is organizing a special event this year. As part of the programming, AARP will present the film A Little Family Drama—a story about a Latino family—on September 25 in the heart of the city.
“I’m very proud that, for the first time, AARP is part of this celebration, collaborating with other organizations to highlight our culture,” she emphasizes.
In a world marked by racial tensions and cultural divisions, Yocasta maintains an inclusive vision:
“When I’m asked about my race, I write ‘Human Being’—because we are truly one race. We may be divided by language, food, or culture, but all cultures aspire to the same things: family, resilience, and respect for our elders.”
Her journey is a testament to that philosophy: an immigrant who arrived with dreams, built a solid career in a land of opportunity, and now works to ensure that older adults in the Delaware Valley find their place in an increasingly diverse, demanding, and competitive society.
For all this—and so much more yet to be discovered—Impacto proudly honors Yocasta Lora as a “Life of Impact” in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
