Candidate Responses:

Please summarize the reasons you are submitting this nomination

I have been working with victims and survivors of IPV and family violence for 18 years, and in those 18 years, I have been living with purpose. It is important for me to
share the knowledge and expertise I have gained through this journey with other advocates, families, service providers, and so forth.I would love to do more with the partnership and the Central Coast. I participated in this year’s public policy day and was inspired by all the staff at CPVD and all the advocates who showed up to represent our communities and their needs. I was inspired to do more, and this opportunity is a way to do so.

How does this person’s values align with the Partnership, including centering underrepresented voices?

As an immigrant myself, I know and understand the barriers that minorities and underserved populations face. Language has been the biggest obstacle when servicing indigenous and non-English speaking victims and survivors in our communities. I have worked tiresly to assure we are able to over come those obstacles when we face them there is a lot of work to do so that the underrepresented communities feel safe and secure when they come to us for help and we work at it everyday. I understand that the need for secure housing and prevention is important for families fleeing abuse, and oftentimes, it is hard to obtain because they don’t know that there is help available. We have to go to our communities so that they know help is
available. My determination to help our most vulnerable communities aligns with the Partnership’s values.

Describe your participation in the Partnership’s regional networks, policy committees, peer learning circles and other components of our Membership community.

I have participated in many Partnership events, trainings, Central Coast meetings, retreats, Policy Advocacy Days, and conferences throughout my time with the Coalition for Family Harmony. I have also ensured that my staff participates in these events and networks with various agencies.

Describe your skills, experience or interests that can benefit, strengthen or increase capacity of the Board.

I have worked for over 17 years at the Coalition in emergency shelters. Over the last
two years, we have piloted an Indigenous shelter program, which has allowed me to
learn more about the needs of the most vulnerable communities in our County. We
can now meet their needs in the language they understand, which will benefit other
Central Coast organizations in learning how to better serve special communities in
their county..

What does leadership mean to you? How do you demonstrate leadership?

I am passionate about my work, and the best way to lead a team is by example. I am not the type of leader who dictates. I believe in teamwork and working together to support and carry each other when it gets difficult. To me, leadership doesn’t just mean leading by example, but working alongside each other.

Describe how your relationships can enhance the work of the Partnership and the Board (for example, with policy-makers, media outlets, culturally specific communities, and the broader community). Tell us how you intend to cultivate those relationships on behalf of the Partnership.

The skills I have gained as the shelter’s manager at the Coalition for Family Harmony can contribute to great learning experiences for the Central Coast and the Partnership. Working with special populations has allowed me to gain greater knowledge and become culturally competent to meet the needs of the clients and train my staff to educate the community about special populations’ unique needs. This can also benefit us by being able to share these experiences, data, and stories with news outlets, policymakers, and donors so that the work we do continues to obtain the resources needed to provide the services.

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