Twenty-seven employees came together one last time to reflect on their time spent in our Community Action Leadership Academy (CALA). Each employee, leaders in their own right from various programs, received a Certificate of Training from instructor Dr. Jacqueline Ryle for their completion of the eight-month program.

Unlike previous years, CALA began with an introduction and brief history of Community Action; the 2011 class viewed a biography on Sargent Shriver, an advocate for the poor and the first Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity. CALA continued with discussions on understanding diversity, the dynamics of change, motivation, and effective communication skills.

“Never has a training made such a huge impact on me,” said Brandy Tarquino, Employment & Training’s Administrative and Operations Specialist. “Since starting CALA, I have used the communication skills I have learned not only at work, but at home. If all our employees received portions of CALA training, we would have more efficient, more committed employees.”

Upon completion of the training, CALA Class of 2011 is set to lead a communications training during July’s Leadership Forum.

Congratulations to the CALA Class of 2011

Maria Aguilar, Home Base Supervisor, Head Start
Cynthia Bare, Accountant I , Finance
Carolyn Baten, Nurse, Head Start
Augie Blancas, Marketing and Public Relations Assistant, WIC
Mary Borbon, Family Service Specialist, Head Start
Deidre Braun,  Staff Analyst I , Executive Office
Karina Custodio, Family Development Specialist, Early Head Start
Jonathan Enns, Accountant I , Finance
Jon Escobar, Chef, Food Services
Annabelle Gamez, Senior HR Analyst, Human Resources
Felisaidad Garcia, Family Development Specialist, Early Head Start
Mary Gin, Accountant II , Finance
Debbie Grove, Executive Office Assistant, Executive Office
Alma Hinojosa, ECE, Head Start
Jeremy Hofer, Loan and Resource Development Officer, CDFI
Dominic Johnson, Program Assistant /Health Educator , Teen Connection
Lam Keophithoun, Field Representative, HEAP
Claudia Mireles, Field Representative, HEAP
Elizabeth Rodriguez, Program Assistant, Weatherization
Aidalea Romero, Program Assistant II , Recycling
Hamid Salahi, Accountant I , Finance
Andrea Sharpe, Case Manager, Transitional Living Center
Trina Soria, Program Assistant I , Sanctuary
Leah Struck, Academic & Career Advisor, Employment & Training
Brandy Tarquino, Administrative & Operations Specialist, Employment & Training
Nancy Valenzuela, Family Development Specialist, Early Head Start
Ka Yang, Registered Dietitian II , WIC