Founding Family
The barrio known as Manganagua, Santo Domingo, is home to the Muñoz family who emigrated from the barrio over 35 years ago in hopes of finding the American Dream.
Today, the founding family resides in Lawrence, MA. UWander was created as an ode to the barrio. As a family, our intention is for every client to feel the love and warmth of our culture and family.
Self-Reflection
We promote self-reflection and discovery by centering cultural wisdom, storytelling and personal gifts.
Community
We inspire communal healing and personal liberation by prioritizing BIPOC people and their cultures.
Wellness
We believe our BIPOC community deserves to be well and wealthy. We aim to connect mind, body and soul.
Dream it.
It all begins with an idea. In 2014, UWander was founded by Wanny Muñoz and her family as a program of a local nonprofit in Lawrence, MA. The first application cycle launched in November 2014. The founding cohort embarked on the first service trip in the company’s history in April 2015. The founding cohort consisted of 6 participants, 4 of which returned for a second year and stayed involved to create the first working advisory board.
Build it.
UWander’s second cohort of 15 facilitated and led the first empowerment conference for over 170 students at a public school in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. This conference became the company’s signature program. In 2018 the company’s curriculum expanded from only serving young women in Dominican Republic to including young men as well. That year, UWander served over 250 students with its signature program.
Grow it.
Our signature program has expanded to multiple trips a year. We have partnered with 3 new sites in Dominican Republic, having a total of 4 schools serving over 600 students in 2019.
After 5 years of impact and learning, Wanny and her family are ready to invest in the future and create an independent entity, hence UWander, Inc.. The family’s extensive history living and traveling across the Dominican Republic, which is UWander’s principal travel destination, lends to the unique local and cultural experience they provide their clients.
Our Partners:
