Improving the lives of Latinos in Georgia

Hispanic Alliance GA was founded by Vanesa Sarazua, in 2016, based on the needs of the Latino families and children in Hall County. Her service specifically focused on Latino families and children as an advocate in juvenile court through the CASA program and as a facilitator for the Migrant Education program in Hall County schools. Her passion for advocacy, social justice and social services specific to the Latino poor in Hall is the motivation behind programs and services to fill important gaps for the community. 

Vanesa Sarazúa is the Founder and Executive Director of Hispanic Alliance Georgia, the only organization in Northeast Georgia dedicated to addressing the unique needs of Latino immigrant families in the “World Poultry Capital” of Gainesville. Motivated by the tremendous challenges faced by hardworking Latino families in rural communities, she established the Alliance to improve quality of life, foster inclusion, and promote multicultural understanding through collaborations, initiatives, and direct services.

Her long-standing commitment to families in poverty and crisis is reflected in her extensive work with CASA, refugee resettlement efforts, and the Migrant Education Program at Hall County Schools, where she supported agricultural workers and their children. During the COVID-19 crisis, she collaborated with more than 30 local partners to serve over 10,000 families with essential food and supplies, including produce, chicken, milk, rice, beans, eggs, and tortillas.

Through education and outreach, Vanesa has reached more than 30,000 individuals, providing critical information on the Census, COVID-19 prevention and care, substance abuse, domestic violence, legal aid, and housing resources.

Her leadership and advocacy have earned her multiple recognitions, including being the first Latina recipient of the 2020 Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce Silver Shovel Award, the Mundo Hispánico Organization Award, and being named among the GHCC 50 Most Influential Latinas in Georgia (2023) and a Georgia Trend 500 Honoree (2025). She is also a graduate of Leadership Hall.

Vanesa holds a B.S. in Social Work and serves on several boards, including the Executive Board of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce, the University of North Georgia Board of Trustees, the Regional Ninth District Advisory Board, and the HSDA Community Advisory Board at UNG.

A proud advocate and strong voice for Latinos in Georgia, Vanesa is also a wife and mother of five children, whose passion and commitment continue to shape programs and services that fill critical gaps for Latino families across the State.