VOICES is led by a multi-generational team of qualified individuals whom participate in ongoing staff development workshops on health and safety, crisis intervention, communication, project management and best practices in the field. In addition to the internal resources for staff supervision, training and monitoring, all program staff will work in partnership with a variety of consultants and content experts to support the integration of evidence-based practices into program implementation.
VOICES SoLANO
Antonio Pizano
VOICES Solano SPARK Project Coordinator
My name is Antonio Pizano and I am the Program Specialist here at VOICES Solano.
I started my first job at age 16 where I learned the role of being a media intern while working for Youth Uprising which was a youth center in Oakland.
I have had many life lessons over the years but the one that stood out the most is when I had my first son. Being that I was in Fostercare for 11 years of my life I knew I needed to make a change in my life so I could provide stability to my new and growing family. Happiness means a lot of things to a lot of people, but for me Happiness is more than a good feeling or a yellow smiley face. It's the feeling of truly enjoying your life, and the desire to make the very best of it. Happiness is the "secret sauce" that can help us be and do our best.
If I were to create a resource that would be beneficial to our communities, I would create a Youth Center that didn't just help you navigate resources but one that had services the whole community could access easily and all in one location! If you need Housing we would have an emergency shelter, scatter site program, and a long term housing program. This center would not just focus on housing but Employment, Education, Wellness, and even Legal services!
You can reach me at antonio@voicesyouthcenter.org.
Bonnie Pittock
VOICES Solano SPARK Lead Navigator
My name is Bonnie Pittock, I am the ILP Case Manager.
My first job was an advocate with a youth group at Legal service for Children in San Francisco.
The most valuable lesson I’ve learned so far is never fall victim to circumstance! Life is full of ups and downs but don’t let hard times define who you are! Use your hurt, pain, worry and stress to elevate! The more you go through the harder you push to achieve your goals whatever that looks like for you! My definition of happiness is peace, love and joy!
If I had unlimited funding, I would create affordable housing for former foster youth, for former probation youth and low income families! Housing is a Necessity and a basic human right!
You can reach me at bonnie@voicesyouthcenter.org.
Demetrius Nelson
VOICES Solano Homeless Outreach Coordinator
My first job was in a restaurant when I was 15. I learned how to work in a team with people who had very different backgrounds than me.
The most valuable life lesson I have learned so far is the power of resilience. There is power in your own resilience. There is resilience around us such as monuments that have withstood time for hundreds of years. Most importantly, there is resilience in a collective once they are determined to accomplish a goal.
My definition of happiness is doing what makes you content without hurting yourself or others.
If I had unlimited funding I would create a program that caters to women who are young mothers and provides them with resources to help them make decisions that best cater to their needs.
You can reach me at demetrius@voicesyouthcenter.org.
Janel Gonzalez
VOICES Solano Peer Navigator
My first job was at a sports store in San Francisco.
The most valuable life lesson I’ve learned so far is that you only have control of yourself and not everyone else or every situation life throws at you.
My definition of happiness is having a simple life with moments of fun and excitement.
If I had unlimited funding, I’d start an all wrapped around women's program, that highlights Spiritual, Mental, Physical, and Emotional health and wealth.
You can reach me at janel@voicesyouthcenter.org.
Maricela Ledesma
VOICES Solano Youth Advocate
My first job was working at McDonald’s.
The most valuable life lesson I have learned so far is knowing the value of change.
My definition of happiness is being around my family and being the best version of myself for me and my baby girl Aviana.
If I had unlimited funding I would create more low income apartments for the youth in need of housing.
You can reach me at maricela@voicesyouthcenter.org.
Maricruz Laureles
VOICES Solano Site Coordinator
My name is Maricruz Octaviano Laureles. I am the Site Coordinator for VOICES Solano
This is my first official job, but I was a babysitter and did gardening on weekends with my dad.
Most valuable life lesson I have learned so far is "Enjoy what you have in front of you, never take anything for granted because you never know when it will all be gone." My definition of "Happiness" is being present and enjoying those small gestures that come your way.
If I had unlimited funding, a program that I would create is a support center for youth ages 4 - 25 years old. Where they are all welcome during the week and weekends. Knowing they have a place to be and feel welcome. There would be an offering of Case managers on site, Therapy, Tutoring, Music room, Gym, Art room, Daycare for parents who need a reliable place for their children while they go to work.
You can reach me at maricruz@voicesyouthcenter.org
Quora Epps
VOICES Solano Case Manager
My name is Quora. I am a Case Manager at VOICES Solano.
The first job I ever had was at the Young Women's Freedom Center where I did similar work to what I do now but on a legislative & policy level.
The most valuable life lesson I've learned is “The lazy man works twice as hard”, meaning it's easier if you just do things right the first time so you don't have to spend double the time later because you have to go back & fix it.
My definition of happiness is being happy when you're alone with yourself without a significant other, without phones or electronics just you & your own thoughts.
If I had unlimited funding, I would create a housing services program with housing and wrap around services onsite immediately available for everyone.
You can reach me at quora@voicesyouthcenter.org.
VOICES Sonoma
Camille Escovedo
VOICES Sonoma Alchemy Youth Advocate
You can reach me at camille@voicesyouthcenter.org.
Greyson Gunheim
VOICES Sonoma ILP Program Manager
My name is Greyson Gunheim and I am the ILP Program Manager at VOICES Sonoma. My first job was at a Christmas tree farm, and Grind Hard Industries.
A life lesson I learned is that the only true failure is when you don't learn the lesson from it! My definition of happiness is doing what you love and loving what you do!
If I had unlimited funding, I would create some type of alternative learning style school and/or Independent Living Development with housing provided.
You can reach me at greyson@voicesyouthcenter.org.
JODIE LUCEY
VOICES Sonoma Education Advocate
My first job was as a bellhop at Astro Motel.
The most valuable life lesson I've learned is being kind and honest is the best way to be in any situation.
My definition of happiness is contentment and community.
If I had unlimited funding, I would love to create a small program focused on building confidence, communication, and mitigating self doubt.
You can reach me at jodie@voicesyouthcenter.org.
Lauren Williams
VOICES Sonoma Alchemy Program Coordinator
My first job was as a doorman for my hometown's local small music venue, which was all under the table. My first "legitimate" job was at Hotdog on a Stick.
The most valuable life lesson I have learned so far is that nothing in this world is in black and white. Every human experience exists in shades of gray.
My definition of happiness is the simultaneous feeling of joy and fulfillment.
If I had unlimited funding, I would create a program that would provide housing and mental health services for anyone who needed it. This program would include access to stable housing, therapy, healthcare, and much more.
You can reach me at lauren@voicesyouthcenter.org.
Stephenie McCollum
VOICES Sonoma ILP Case Manager
You can reach me at stephenie@voicesyouthcenter.org.
WILLOW GANT
VOICES Sonoma Case Manager
My first job was as a receptionist at a law firm.
The most valuable lesson I've learned so far is that we are capable of so much more than we think and if we keep working on ourselves, even just a little everyday, we will look around one day and realize that we have come so much further than we ever thought possible.
I believe happiness can come from anywhere and everywhere, from a song you want to listen to over and over to talking for hours with someone you love. True sustaining happiness for me comes from always seeking to fill each aspect of my life with fulfillment and joy so that even in the hard times I know I'm doing what I love and that I'm surrounded by those who I love.
If I had unlimited funding, I would provide housing and mental health care to anyone who needed it. I would also give more funding to programs such as VOICES so that they could have to means to provide even more resources, and I would fund campaigns for people who don't have the means to run for office so that we could have politicians who change the system and truly represent the needs of the people.
You can reach me at willow@voicesyouthcenter.org.
VOICES NAPA
DIANA Avina Cardenas
VOICES Napa Youth Outreach Coordinator
You can reach me at diana@voicesyouthcenter.org.
Odelia Bueno
VOICES Napa ILP Coordinator
My name is Odelia Bueno and I am the Independent Living Program Coordinator at VOICES Napa.
My first job was at the summer CRUZ Program through VOICES.
The most valuable life lesson I have learned so far is to never give up; only the strong survive. My definition of happiness is being the mother to my beautiful daughter. If I had unlimited funding, I would create an affordable housing program for all youth to access.
You can reach me at odelia@voicesyouthcenter.org.
Rebecca Vega
VOICES Napa ILP Case Manager
My name is Rebecca Vega and I am the ILP Case Manager at the VOICES Napa Center.
My first job ever was at an Equestrian Saddle Store as a cashier.
The most valuable lesson I think I have learned in life, it that we all make mistakes but we must learn to forgive ourselves even when we make huge mistakes. We must also learn to forgive others and learn from them. For me true happiness is a sense of well-being, joy and contentment with oneself.
If I had unlimited funding, I would want to provide unlimited mental health services. I feel like mental health services are hard to find and expensive but could solve a lot of our world's problems.
Selma Candelario Herrera
VOICES Napa Youth Outreach Coordinator
You can reach me at selma@voicesyouthcenter.org.
TARA LEDEZMA
VOICES Director
My name is Tara Ledezma and I am the Director of VOICES.
My first job was a City of Napa Recreation Leader at Mcpherson Elementary School.
The most valuable life lesson I have learned so far is to never give up! There will always be bumps in the road but you have to pick yourself up and move on. My definition of “happiness” is to be loved and to spread love and joy.
If I had unlimited funding, I would create housing opportunities and legal services for all young people that needed guidance.
You can reach me at tara@voicesyouthcenter.org or 707-363-9487.
ANGEL MACKELVIE
Social Services Manager
My name is Angel Mackelvie and I am the Operations Manager across all VOICES Programs.
My first job was a camp counselor in Marin City.
The most valuable life lesson that I have learned is that confidence is key. It is always important to be confident in yourself and the work you do. My definition of “happiness” is loving and enjoying where you are at and what you are doing.
If I had unlimited funding, I would create a program that would provide support to youth with figuring out their schooling and provide them the financial means, mental support, housing options and counseling that is needed to achieve success in school. The program would provide all the supplies that students need while helping each youth make school a priority and helping them overcome any barrier that could impede success whether it is financial, employment concerns, classes, mental health, physical health or housing.
You can reach me at angel@voicesyouthcenter.org or 707-273-9389.