Yaxiri Ortiz was born in Fronteras, Sonora, Mexico and has been living in Tucson, AZ her whole life. She graduated from Sunnyside High School in 2020 and is currently attending Grand Canyon University where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in molecular and cellular biology with an emphasis on genetics and human health.
Before working for Amistades, Yaxiri worked with DACA and Undocumented high school students by helping them navigate through the process of attending and paying for higher education. She believes college should be available to all, regardless of immigration status, and is dedicated to breaking the cycle of unjust systems set in place that prevent such students from receiving financial aid. She has worked with Scholarship’s AZ, Aliento, and Existimos to bring about these changes. Yaxiri also managed the Sunnyside boys' soccer team for five years helping lead them to their first ever state title, as well as aiding in the process of recruitment and scholarship applications for the athletes.
At Amistades, Yaxiri focuses on Por Vida, a program designed to improve conditions and screening services for youth and adults at risk of HIV/STI’s and substance use disorders through a culturally and generationally conscious curriculum. As the project coordinator, she implements the Cuidate! program for youth ages 13-24 which talks about sexual education in the Latino community.