Marina’s Ruby Slipper is the heart of Denise’s community work—created in honor of her late mother to serve women and children through food justice, wellness, and education.
Thrive Together: Mamas on a Mission
A national wellness and connection program for single working mothers—including those in active military service. Thrive Together supports moms with mental health, nutrition, fitness, and local community through the free MRS Thrive app (launching soon).
Learn more about the program via:
Chicana EduPlate:
A culturally rooted, STEM-aligned school garden program. Schools receive support to install gardens and teach students about seed-to-table growing, food history, biology, and culinary arts.
Includes downloadable curriculum, teacher guides, and garden planning assistance.
A real-time hospitality staffing app that connects businesses with available workers for same-day shifts—designed from the lived reality of running a kitchen short-staffed.
Fork’d Up is fast, location-based, and focused on kitchens, cafés, pop-ups, and events nationwide.
https://www.getforkdup.com/
Athena Chef Apparel
A professional chef coat line designed by a woman who worked for years in ill-fitting gear. Athena coats are tailored for women—made to move, to lead, and to be seen.
Books
Unbroken Roots – A novel about resilience, survival, and identity.
Available now on:
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, and Google Play
Threads of the Apron – A forthcoming reflection on food, silence, and generational storykeeping.
(Coming Soon)
Every project on this page has been built from experience, purpose, and the belief that healing begins with connection. Thank you for exploring the work.