MEET PATTY, MSW, ASW

Therapist, Researcher, Speaker, & Advocate

L. Patty Flores - Google Scholar L. Patty Flores - ORCID

Patty's intersectional identities shape the way she sees social issues, bringing an analytical lens. She has spent over 10 years advocating for youth in foster care.

As a researcher and consultant, Patty has collaborated with leading scholars and authors in the field of Child Welfare, contributing to studies, program design, and policy development. Her specific intersecting identities and experiences—being a former foster youth, immigrant, queer, homeless, and incarcerated in the juvenile justice system—shape the way she sees social issues.

L. Patty Flores has served as a leadership keynote speaker for different entities in Los Angeles County and internationally. Patty has advocated and presented to judges, attorneys, probation officers (including the Chief of Probation), counselors, professors, social workers, and others.

MAKING AN IMPACT AS A

RESEARCHER & SPEAKER

L. Patty Flores brings a powerful and informed voice, providing institutions with insight shaped by her lived experience, academic research, and professional work. With over a decade of advocacy within the foster care, education, and juvenile system, she brings extensive experience, offering a unique analytical lens for addressing social issues as a researcher, lived expert, and keynote speaker.

EMPOWERING FOSTER YOUTH

Patty’s presentations are a combination of determination and strength while demonstrating her dedication to a trauma-informed approach and social justice, having been an LGBTQ speaker for years. Patty’s affiliation with diverse communities allows her to connect with diverse audiences.

She has a strong commitment to serving disadvantaged communities. Patty is an activist in the U.S. and in Central America; she collaborates with several NGOs in Latin America that focus on issues of violence towards women and the LGBTQ+ community. Defying Labels has mobilized resources and fundraised for vulnerable women, children, and the trans community in Latin America.

TESTIMONIALS

“Patty resonates authenticity as she tells her story. She uses her tumultuous and powerful journey as a tool for encouraging others to persist despite the barriers they face. Patty speaks with incredible poise and clarity as she connects with the audience. Her voice is needed in all spaces. ”

Megan Levitan

Director of Education at
United Friends of the Children

“Patty was a fabulous moderator for our panel. She was thoughtful and thorough as she helped the students navigate questions. She had patience as the students shared their powerful story and she contributed to the dialogue by sharing her own powerful journey. Patty is passionate, driven, and determined, and it was wonderful to work with her.”

Jennifer Kottke, Ed.D.

Homeless Education, Coordinator II
Division of Student Support Services
Los Angeles County of Education

“Liliana (Patty) has spoken at the Success is our Future event for foster youth who are part of the Los Angeles Probation Department. Her strong determination and desire to rise above her situation defined her presence as she spoke to an audience of 500. She is passionate and truly motivated by her ambition to achieve foster youth success and change the direction of people's lives.”

Monique Chanaiwa

Supervising Deputy Probation Officer
of Youth Development Services