Our Team

Adriana McKinnon - LPC

President and CEO

Where most would see an insurmountable need, Adriana McKinnon sees hope and a reason to take action. This approach, combined with her years of experience as a bilingual survivor’s advocate and her specialized expertise as a licensed professional counselor, allow Adriana to shepherd the healing journey of sex trafficking survivors through the Youth Center of Texas.

Growing up in a Mexican American family with little formal education, Adriana was the first in her family to seek an alternative to generational poverty by attending college. She committed to earning her associate degree shortly after the loss of her husband, balancing school with raising her young daughter and working nights as a caregiver for Exclusive Home Health and Hospice in Beeville.

She exhibited a compelling interest in helping others — which fuels her work now as President and CEO of the Youth Center of Texas — early in her career as she studied psychology at the University of Houston-Victoria and began child advocacy for CASA of the Coastal Bend. After graduating, she advanced to the role of human resources director for Exclusive Home Health and Hospice before transitioning to the Women’s Shelter of South Texas in Corpus Christi, where she eventually became the outreach services director.

Because of her ability to speak Spanish, she advocated for survivors of human trafficking and sex trafficking from Mexico, Central and South America as they sought aid at the Women’s Shelter. Observing a dire lack of Spanish-speaking counselors to work with these survivors, Adriana earned her Master of Science in Counseling from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

Soon after earning her master’s, Adriana opened a 64-bed emergency shelter in Victoria for unaccompanied children, funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement.

Adriana joined the Youth Center of Texas as President and CEO in 2021 and soon implemented on-site, evidence-based counseling services for sex trafficking survivors. The counseling component addresses the complex trauma that many of the young women have experienced. This healing journey begins as the Youth Center team welcomes each survivor into the eight-bed residential facility in San Antonio and continues to rebuild hope for the future as they transition to independent living.

Alexandria Garcia

LMSW – Program Director

Alexandria is a licensed master level social worker and has worked with our program since its inception in October 2019. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Texas A&M at Corpus Christi and her Master’s Degree in Social Work at Our Lady of the Lake University. Alexandria has extensive experience working with victims and survivors of sexual violence experiencing complex trauma. Her extensive experience as a victims’ advocate has provided the Youth Center staff with invaluable insight and knowledge about CSEY and how survivors of sexual assault and exploitation change, both in treatment and on their own. Her studies and leadership experience provide the skills and insights needed to effectively oversee the day-to-day operations of the Youth Center of Texas.

Sierra Coronado

Case Manager

Tiara Healthcare

Tiara Goodin

Direct Care Professional

_DSC4749

Hailey Bentley

Direct Care Professional

image001 (2)

Laurie Derivois

Case Manager

Sierra Coronado

Case Manager

Sierra graduated from St. Mary’s University with her Bachelor of Arts in Criminology. She has experience working with DFPS Investigations unit where she assisted in removals, transportation, visitation monitoring, and more. In addition to her work with DFPS, Sierra also volunteers her time working as a Canine Role-Player with NARCORPS.

Tiara Goodin

Direct Care Professional

Tiara Goodin first entered the social services field working in hospital settings as direct care staff supporting disabled children and adults. She is extremely passionate about supporting others on their journey to healing and creating healthy relationships. Tiara holds her bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from Sanford Brown College and has plans to continue her education in the social work field.

Hailey Bentley

Direct Care Professional

Hailey is a current student at the University of Texas at San Antonio pursuing a degree in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology. In the future, she plans to pursue work in Environmental Justice by helping disadvantaged communities gain access to healthy and sustainable means of living. Hailey is passionate about helping others heal and fulfill their potential.

Laurie Derivois

Case Manager

Laurie is originally from Port-Au-Prince, Haiti. She obtained her BSW from the University of West Florida and her MSW from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Laurie has extensive experience in case management, and her concentration has been focused on assisting the unhoused community in all categories including program coordination, and the provision of mental health services. She’s currently studying to become a licensed master level social worker. In her down time, Laurie volunteers at her local church and other organizations.

Anissa Lopez

Direct Care Professional

Anissa attended UTSA and received her BA in Women’s Studies. She is pursuing a master’s degree in social work from Our Lady of the Lake University. Anissa is also a proud AmeriCorps alumna and served the San Antonio community under their Public Allies program. She has also worked as an advocate for survivors of domestic violence with the Kendall County Women’s Shelter. Anissa has a published article with Red Star Magazine, titled “Women and Disabilities” and is a strong advocate for her fellow disabled individuals. She is also passionate about LGBTQ+ rights, harm reduction advocacy, and reproductive justice.

Have Questions?

Fill out the form below and we will get back to you as soon as we can.