Intern, Homeless Planning Team
Brief info
Yanette Brito is a respected community leader, humanitarian, and housing advocate dedicated to advancing opportunity and support for underserved individuals and families. Born and raised in Jersey City, New Jersey, to parents of Dominican descent, she has devoted her work to breaking down barriers, empowering communities, and creating meaningful, lasting change.
Yanette’s commitment to advocacy is rooted in lived experience. Growing up in a single-parent
household, she witnessed the effects of language barriers, financial hardship, and domestic violence. After experiencing eviction and homelessness herself, she transformed those challenges into a lifelong commitment to helping others navigate similar circumstances with dignity and hope.
In December 2022, Yanette founded The Brito Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to
helping families overcome barriers through community outreach, educational opportunities, housing resources, cultural programming, and assistance accessing essential social services.
She currently serves as Chair of the Hudson County Homelessness Advisory Board, where she
advocates for individuals and families experiencing homelessness and housing instability. She also is expanding her housing advocacy through an internship with Monarch Housing Associates, focusing on the needs of youth and families facing homelessness.
Drawing on both professional expertise and personal experience, Yanette brings a compassionate,
informed perspective to her work. She is committed to helping vulnerable populations access the
resources, stability, and opportunities necessary to build stronger futures.
Yanette is an active member of the Jersey City Rotary Club and the Hudson County Community
College Latino/Hispanic Advisory Board. As a proud advocate for her Dominican heritage, she
promotes cultural awareness and community engagement through educational programs, cultural
celebrations, and charitable initiatives benefiting families locally and in the Dominican Republic.
Her contributions to the community have earned recognition from several organizations, including the Dominican Consulate in New Jersey.
Yanette’s journey from experiencing homelessness to becoming a nonprofit founder and community advocate reflects her resilience, determination, and commitment to transforming personal challenges into opportunities to serve others. Today, she continues to work toward a future in which every individual and family—regardless of circumstance—has access to essential resources, dignity, and meaningful opportunities.
Her Mission: “Helping families fight through barriers and challenges.”