Member Spotlight

Carmen
Feliciano

Carmen Feliciano is the Ryan White Program Coordinator for Mental Health Services at Hispanic Counseling Center in Nassau County. She joined the Planning Council in September 2022 because she is passionate about helping people and wanted to get involved in planning for the services for the Latino population in her community - a population in need of the services at Hispanic Counseling Center. She wanted to have a voice and be a voice for others who may not be able to speak for themselves. Even as her first three-year term is ending; Carmen is ready for more and has already committed to do a second term with the Council. 

Ms. Feliciano graduated from Mercy College with a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science and worked diligently to acquire her Master’s Degree in Dual Education: General and Special Education with a minor in Psychology. She taught in the New York City school system for 13 years, honing her education and teaching skills by working with a multi-cultural and diverse population. Upon reaching her goals as an educator, Ms. Feliciano wanted to share her expertise and explore new opportunities in the mental health field, so she began her work in 2012 at Hispanic Counseling Center. She worked first as the Coordinator for Project Hope helping those affected by Super Storm Sandy. When that project ended, she was offered a position as counselor for three of the agency’s programs: Substance Use Disorder, The Batterers’ Intervention and the Nurturing Parenting programs. She later acquired the position of Coordinator to provide mental health counseling under the Ryan White program. Ms. Feliciano has done volunteer work in the community throughout the years, her education and experiences have afforded her the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others.

Carmen loves to read and write poems. Forever a teacher at heart, she likes to share what she has learned with others. She is interested in decorating and meeting people with similar interests. Her favorite movie is The Notebook and as a spiritual person, her favorite book is The Bible. With a generous heart she loves to give and provide for those in need and her only reward is to see the smiles on their faces. 

When asked why the fight against HIV and AIDS is so important to her? She answered simply: “For me, is highly important to be a part of this fight against HIV/AIDS. We need to continue providing information, doing outreach and conducting different events in the community in order to be part of ending this epidemic that is affecting so many individuals and their families”. Ms. Feliciano shared an early client experience she had when a mother, desperate and trembling, called seeking assistance. The woman explained that her son, who was getting married in a month, tested positive for HIV. Her son was devastated and unsure how to tell his future wife. His mother was looking for someone to help - someone who would be able to guide her next steps and provide much needed support. She came to the right person in her time of need. Carmen had the opportunity to offer comfort, reassurance, counseling, and referrals to the lady and provide the same services for her son by getting him into treatment. Ms. Feliciano is doing her part to help the Latino community and stressed the need to continue recruiting others to join the fight against HIV/AIDS.