Imelda Ayala

Parent Advocate and Community Liaison, El Puente

Imelda Ayala, a Kettering Foundation 2026 Dayton Democracy Fellow, is the parent advocate and community liaison at El Puente, where she works closely with families to strengthen community connection, access to services, and democratic participation in civic life. Born in Chihuahua, Mexico, Ayala immigrated to the US more than 20 years ago with her husband and two daughters and has made Dayton her home. A nurse by training, she understands firsthand the challenges faced by newly arrived families, including language barriers, access to education and health care, employment, and financial stability. At El Puente, Ayala serves as a trusted bridge between families, schools, service providers, and community institutions. She supports parents in navigating the US education system, accessing health care and mental health resources, securing food and housing assistance, and building the knowledge and confidence needed to advocate for their children and themselves. She also coordinates partnerships to expand culturally responsive services, including health clinics, adult education programs, and a Spanish-language mental health navigation line. Ayala is widely respected for her ability to build networks of trust, care, and mutual support across Dayton’s Latino community. In addition to her professional role, she is a volunteer leader at St. Mary’s Church, where she coordinates youth and women’s leadership programs, and the director of Orgullo Mexicano, a folkloric dance group that celebrates Mexican culture throughout Ohio. Through her work, Ayala advances a vision of democracy rooted in belonging, shared leadership, and the power of community to shape a more just and inclusive Dayton.