Maria Jose Acosta
Height: 5’6
Hometown: Montréal, QC
Sponsors: Friends & Family
Maria Jose Acosta, originally from the Dominican Republic, proudly embraces her Canadian identity as a citizen of Montréal, Quebec. Her academic journey led her to excel at the Université de Montréal, where she graduated with honors in Law, Criminology, and Languages. These extensive academic years laid a strong foundation for her passionate mission: bridging the gap between the legal system and compassion, ultimately creating a fairer and more empathetic world. Currently, Maria Jose serves as a dedicated penal mediator within an alternative justice organization. In this role, she has had a firsthand view of the significant distress endured by family members of individuals with severe mental health conditions as they navigate the complexities of the legal system. This insight served as the catalyst for her innovative project, one designed to amplify compassion and understanding, especially for society’s most vulnerable members. This transformative project was introduced in 2020 at the Montréal courthouse and, in a testament to its success, has been embraced by numerous other municipal courts throughout Quebec as of June 2023. As an ambassador of alternative conflict resolution, Maria Jose is granted access to a multitude of non-profit organizations committed to promoting mental health awareness and accessibility. Beyond her professional commitments, she dedicates her time and energy as a volunteer for organizations that offer support to survivors of domestic violence and at-risk youth. Moreover, she is a staunch advocate for criminal justice reforms, further solidifying her commitment to creating tangible, positive change within society.
Notably, Maria Jose’s multifaceted life also includes her role as a two-time winner of ‘Miss Earth Quebec’ for the years 2017-2018. Remarkably, she manages to harmonize her responsibilities as a legal intervenient and a title holder by imparting yoga classes and breath-work exercises within group homes and women’s shelters. Through these efforts, she extends her support and dedication to uplift and empower those in need. Maria Jose Acosta’s story is one of dedication, empathy, and unwavering commitment to making a difference in the world, both within the realm of the legal system and on a broader societal scale.