BOARD OFFICERS

Chairperson - Fredy Ceja

Fredy Ceja is a native Angelino, born in El Sereno and raised in the City of South Gate. Mr. Ceja grew up in a single parent household with six siblings. In order to stay away from the drug and gang lifestyles that plagued his neighborhood, he channeled his energy into a young leaders club while in High School. Through the sale of churros during lunch, the club was able to fundraise enough money to visit the nation’s capitol in Washington DC. That visit to what seemed a foreign land would change Mr. Ceja’s perspective on life for ever.

Mr. Ceja was the first in his family to attend college. While at California State University Los Angeles (CSULA), he continued his political involvement in student government and the fraternity system. He volunteered with the Pat Brown Institute’s Gang Violence Bridging Project—a nonprofit that admitted former gang members into CSULA—where he eventually was employed until the program closed in 2003 due to funding. Mr. Ceja’s passion to assist the community lead him to El Nido Family Centers, where he performed case management helping pregnant and parenting teens on public assistance get back into school. Immediately after he worked with School Innovations and Advocacy, where he assisted school districts throughout California get reimbursed for mandated costs activities from the State Controller’s Office. Mr. Ceja then returned to the Pat Brown Institute as Director of the Public Policy Education Program, where he oversaw a monthly lecture series, annual conference, publications, and external communications. 

In 2006 Mr. Ceja was diagnosed with HIV. Immediately after receiving the news he went to work for BIENESTAR Human Services—a regional organization working with Latinos affected by and living with HIV/AIDS. In 2007, Mr. Ceja joined Los Angeles Universal Preschool (LAUP) where he helped the organization build a plan for diversified funding in order to continue expanding preschool services in low income communities. In 2009, Mr. Ceja was one of the faces for the “Soy” campaign—a partnership between the Kaiser Family Foundation and Univision aimed at reducing the stigma associated with being HIV positive and putting a face to the disease.

Today, Mr. Ceja serves as Field Deputy for California Assemblymember Gilbert Cedillo (D-45), where he is responsible for the Atwater Village, Silverlake and El Sereno portions of the district and focuses on Preschool, K-12 education and higher education issues, LGBT and HIV/AIDS issues. Most recently he served as a lead on the CA Dream Act campaign to assist undocumented students attain a higher education.

Mr. Ceja has served on the California HIV/AIDS Planning Group (CHPG) and Latino Advisory Board (LAB) to the California Office of AIDS, served on the board of the Latino Equality Alliance (LEA)—advocating for Latino LGBT rights, served on the board for The Wall Las Memorias Project, and served as a Commissioner for the Los Angeles County HIV Commission as an appointee of Supervisor Gloria Molina. He currently serves as Board Chair for Plaza de la Raza Child Development Services, Inc, serves on the CSULA Alumni Board, and on the CSULA MSPA Advisory Board.

Mr. Ceja received a B.A. in Political Science and a M.S. in Public Administration from CSULA.

Vice Chairperson - Lorraine De La O, M.S.

 Lorraine brings to Plaza de la Raza Child Development Services, Inc., a passion for community with extensive service of over twenty years in her local community and the greater East Los Angeles area, contributing on multiple Committees and Boards of Directors.  Her experience includes: Children &Youth, Senior’s, Veterans, and our specially challenged.

Lorraine attended The University of La Verne, attaining her;

Master’s degree - Leadership & Management-Nonprofit

Bachelor’s degree - Public Administration

Attended E.L.A. and Rio Hondo College.

Currently, Lorraine is an Executive Board Member, Plaza de la Raza; Commissioner, Parks and Recreation, City of Pico Rivera; Member, Mental Health Consortium, Congresswoman Grace Napolitano; Member Hispanic Outreach Taskforce (HOT); Prior, Executive Board, Pico Rivera Cares; Executive Board for Volunteer’s of E.L.A.; Candidate El Rancho School Board, Nov. ’09; Alternate L.A. County Democratic Committee. She is employed with the County of Los Angeles LAC+USC Medical Center-Dept. of Psychiatry.

Lorraine believes in partnerships with community-business-school that together changes can be made for the betterment of the community.

Treasurer - Pedro Navarrete

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

1. Gladys Aranda
2. Policy Committee Representative
3. Karen Chang

1. Board Member
2. Emma Hammond
3. Policy Committee Chairperson
4. Louis R. Reyes

1. Board Member
2. Louis Reyes is currently the Communications Director for Los Angeles County Assessor John Noguez. He is also the owner of Blue Icon Media, which is an Internet marketing and communication consulting firm. Previously, he was a district representative for State Senator Ronald Calderon of the 30th District.
   
   An active member of his community, Louis is currently sits on the board of directors for Plaza de la Raza Child Development Services, a $20 million dollar budget preschool services nonprofit based in Pico Rivera with 30 school sites. He is the founding member and chair of the Angel Step Inn Domestic Violence Resource Center’s Community Advisory Committee that is also based in Pico Rivera. He has served on the board of the California Latino Caucus Institute, where he was the co-chair and founding member of the Madrinas Padrinos Leadership Program, which focuses on developing ethical based leadership within the Latino community. Politically active, he served for six years as an Executive Officer of California Democratic Party as director of region 15, representing the largest Democratic Latino voter base in California.
   
   A graduate of the University of Southern California, Louis holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Policy and Management. He is also attended and transferred with honors from Rio Hondo Community College where he was elected to serve as Student Trustee and President of Associated Student Body. Known for his commitment to higher education, he was again elected by his student peers statewide to serve as the Policy Director for the California Student Association of Community College representing 1.4 million students. He was the lead student advocate before the state legislature as well as the student representative on the Chancellor’s Consultation Council.
3. The son of Mexican immigrants, Louis is the eldest of eight brothers and sisters. He has lived in the Whittier area for over 20 years and currently lives with his wife in the city of Pico Rivera.

1. Ricardo Pajuelo

1. Board Member
2. Alma Martinez
3. Board Member
4. My name is Alma Martinez I have lived in Santa Fe Springs practically all of my life.  My husband Richard and I celebrated 38 years of marriage in June.  We have three sons, Adrian 21, Robert 29, and Steve 31.  Steve and his wife Leslie blessed us with two beautiful grandsons, Noah, who is 6 years old and Jacob three years old.
5. I come from a large family of eight: five girls and three boys. My parents Arturo and Ines Escobedo, who were migrant workers prior to moving to California, often worked two jobs to support the family. That dedicated work ethic was obviously passed on to me.  Growing up in such a large family, teamwork was an absolute necessity.  My parents were big believers in community service and were instrumental in helping found a parent support group for the Expanded Horizons program at Pioneer High School in the late 60’s and early 70’s.
6. I have been described as the consummate volunteer; always ready to lend a helping hand for just about any project.  Because of service on behalf of children I am also known as “Teacher Alma.”   My love, support, and advocacy on behalf of children has guided my life through a series of rewarding experiences.  I was an instructional assistant in the bilingual pilot program at Jersey Elementary School.  I was also one of the original teachers hired by the city of Santa Fe Springs (employed for thirteen years) to help establish the groundbreaking Child Care program. I was directly involved in opening Los Nietos Park Child Care, Lakeview Park Child Care, and the Los Nietos Park Preschool Program (before it eventually moved to Heritage Park).
7. About fifteen years ago I decided to open up a family day care from my home. This allowed me the flexibility to schedule my hours and be available to my own children while they were still in school.  I became involved in the school site council, PTA, and soon realized I wanted to do a little more in my community.
8. Although I stopped working for the city I still wanted to be a part of the city.  My first involvement was the Safe Neighborhood Team were I served as chairperson.  I was appointed by City Council to the Historical Committee and have served as its chairperson, and the Beautification Committee.  I was chairperson of the “I’m Going To College” program in partnership with Rio Hondo College.  I am also a board member for the Santa Fe Springs Community Playhouse.  One of my favorite pastimes is helping out with the City’s Christmas Float program as Mrs. Claus (along with her husband).
9. In 2003 I took on the enormous challenge of running for a seat on the Santa Fe Springs City Council.  Although I was not successful, I gained further admiration from the community because of the honest, grassroots campaign I ran.
10. In 2005 I was named Woman of Distinction by Assembly Member Rudy Bermudez for the 56^th Assembly District.
11. Also in 2005 my husband Richard and I were recognized as Santa Fe Springs Residents of the Year by the City and the Chamber of Commerce.
12. Currently I am a member of the League of Women Voters of Whittier.  My husband and I were elected as delegates to the California Democratic State Convention for the 56^th Assembly District and she served as Secretary.
13. My reputation as a strong advocate for children became known to a number of area child care agencies. While presenting a workshop to help day care providers acquire state licensing, I was approached by an agency director about participating in a new PBS TV program involving child care providers.  After a lengthy audition process, I was selected to serve as a child care panelist for the pilot of “A Place of Our Own.”  Within two months, major corporations such as BP, British Petroleum, parent company of Arco, First 5 California and First 5 Los Angeles, as well as other major contributors, funded the program for $10 million.  After five years of production, “A Place of Our Own”, filmed at KCET studios in Hollywood, now airs on PBS stations across country.
14. I earned an A.A. degree in Social Science from Cerritos College.  My next goal is to return to school and get a degree in special needs education.
16. COMMITTEES PRESENTLY SERVING
17. City of Santa Fe Springs Safe Neighborhood Team- past Chairperson(member 18 years)
18. Community Playhouse Committee Member-(13 years)
19. City of SFS Santa Claus Float Volunteer-(15 years)
20. City of SFS Historical Committee –past Chairperson(15 years)
21. City of SFS General Planning Advisory Committee-(8 years)
23. PAST INVOLVEMENT
24. League of Women Voters Whittier-past Public Relations Officer
25. “I’m Going to College”-past  Chairperson (6 years) 
26. Board member PTA
27. School Site Council
28. Bilingual Advisory Committee
29. Panel to select Lake Center Middle School Principal
30. Little League Team Mom
31. Camp Fire Leader
32. Cub Scout Volunteer

1. Araceli S. Gonzales
2. Board Member
3. David Meza
4. Board Member
5. David Meza serves as Education Policy Coordinator for the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.  In this capacity, he conducts research, policy analysis and legislative development related to state and federal implementation of education reform.
6. Prior to working for the Chamber, he was Education and Health Field Deputy to Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez and Senator Gilbert Cedillo.  As field deputy, David tracked legislation for aforementioned issue areas. Particularly David was the lead contact for the renowned Universal Health Assembly Bill 1X1. David was instrumental in lobbying and presenting AB 1X1 to non-profit agencies, community leaders and medical professionals throughout Southern California.
7. He coordinated district wide community events such as College and Health Fairs combining Healthy Fit programs aligning with the elected officials’ initiatives to combat childhood obesity and diabetes.  He conducted his work efficiently and was a strong coalition builder between government and community.
8. Through his work in Education, was recognized for his commitment by Santee Education Complex in South Los Angeles, for inspiring their students to have the courage to strive for a promising future.
9. As a Teacher’s Aide for Los Angeles Unified School District at 49^th Elementary School in South Los Angeles, David dually taught and conducted research related to the barriers that exist for underserved students seeking a higher education. As an instructor he created lesson plans gauged to influence civic participation as a way to hurdle the obstacles at hand, effectively leading to a broadened horizon that would encourage students to pursue a higher education.
10. As an active supporter to his community for over 10 years, David has contributed an array of ways to the Pico-Union District.  As a mentor, David hosted academic and resource workshops gauged to meet the needs of the community.  Personal development and academic guidance are the core values families and their children developed, enabling them to have a holistic perspective leading them towards a prosperous and healthy life style.
11. David was born and raised in the Pico-Union District and East Los Angeles area of California. He obtained his bachelor degree from California State University Long Beach in Criminal Justice.

1. Marisela Cervantes
2. Board Member
3. Francesca M. Vega
4. Board Member