He serves as the VAH Program Executive Director to offer secure, affordable, transitional housing for At-Risk and Homeless Working and Student Veterans. He oversees the day to day planning, operations, management, liaison and promotion of the organization. His life experience includes present employment as a Consultant to the San Francisco Pre-Trial Diversion Program as a Batterers Intervention Program group facilitator. Currently employment as an Adjunct Instructor at Los Medanos College in the Administration of Justice Department teaching Introduction to Corrections and Criminal Investigations courses. Former Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist with the Department of Veterans Affairs, with the Compensated Work Therapy program. Additional duties included managing the Batterers Intervention Program, A Ease, as the group facilitator. He retired as a Chief Warrant Officer III – Intelligence Technician, U.S. Army Reserves. He retired as a Deputy Sheriff from the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office, with collateral duties as a department trainer. He also is a former consultant and private provider to law enforcement agencies regarding officer involved Domestic Violence and Conflict Management.
Education:
A.A., Psychology, Los Medanos College, Pittsburg CA
Majoring in Human Development/ Sociology, Senior BA Pending
California State University Eastbay, Concord CA
Her professional experience includes present employment with Security Industries Specialists, she serves as an Off-Duty Officer (ODO) and worked as the Off Duty Officer Coordinator, managing and supervising ODOs assigned to Northern California commercial and retail establishments. She retired from the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office as a Sergeant. She supervised in Patrol; worked in Background Investigations for Sheriff Recruits and as a Detective investigating sexual assault cases. She was a supervisor at the Contra Costa County Detention Facilities. She Served as a Department Trainer in the academy instructing recruits. She worked as an Officer for the Town of Danville in Youth Services. She served in the Terrorism Early Warning Group/Homeland Security; participated in Inter-Based Problem Solving Committees developing solutions for Problems within the workplace..
Education:
Bachelors of Arts-Psychology San Francisco State University
San Francisco Police Academy
El Camino High School.
Carlos Mendoza enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1971 (Vietnam Era), and following his family tradition, enlisted as a paratrooper. While in the Army, he worked for and received his GED (General Educational Development). He served as a Bus Driver, Cannoneer (light artillery), Cook, Postal Worker, and a General’s Driver. However, what he really loved was his time jumping out of Hewey and Chinook helicopters, C-130’s, and C-141’s. After the military, he went from job to job until he found his life’s vocation in the Juvenile Justice System. Within the county probation department he worked as a Probation Counselor for 25+ years in the following capacities: Interpreter; MAB (Managing Assaultive Behavior) Instructor; Court Liason; Home Supervision/Electronic Monitoring Staff Member; and Institutional Supervisor. Upon retirement, Carlos was asked to create a program for enhanced vocational opportunities for incarcerated minors, which included construction, groundskeeping, furniture construction, and general woodworking. Participation in this program has resulted in jobs and union enrollment for some of the participants after incarceration. This program was in full swing until the start of the pandemic, but will resume in the near future.
Damon Mathews was medically retired from service January 2016. His military experience spans two branches of service. He served 10 years in the US Marine Corps. His first assignment was with the Presidential Honor Guard Detachment in Washington DC. After his tour in DC He went on to serve in the Fleet Marine Force and augmented with Marine Security Forces until 1999.
In 1999 He left the Marine Corps and was hired at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory as part of the Dept. of Energy Special Response Team. While serving at LLNL, he was promoted to SRT Instructor and then transitioned into the Conflict Simulations Lab as an Analyst and computer modeler
In June of 2001 He left the Marines Corps Reserve and transferred to the Army Reserves. As a Reservist he served with multiple local, state and federal law enforcement agencies till 2017. He has been deployed in multiple combat operations and peace keeping missions. Out of 17 years of Reserve time, he was active duty for over 10 years of his reserve time.
Education:
BS Psychology, 2014 Columbia Southern University, Orange Beach Alabama
Warrant Officer Candidate School
Warrant Officer Basic Course
DOE SRT
DOE SRT Instructor
Chris served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve from 2012 to 2018, the majority of his enlistment was spent as an Infantry Marine, and in the last two years he was assigned additional roles in operational support for the Company staff. During his enlistment he pursued two degrees from his alma mater, San Francisco State University. His Bachelors in Political Science is centered around community organizing.
After college Chris worked primarily in the tax field and gained some experience with property management, until pivoting to San Francisco’s burgeoning tech field. While working in tech he helped develop smoother operational and training practices in addition to his technical duties. His technical background is centered around Computer Networks and Operating Systems.
Education:
BA History – Magna Cum Laude, San Francisco State University
BA Political Science – Magna Cum Laude, San Francisco State University
Sophia is passionate about empowering her clients and supporting them to improve their quality of life. She has extensive experience in providing case management and trauma informed care in a variety of settings. Her professional experience spans from managing non-profit programs for individuals with epilepsy, providing bereavement support to families, and facilitating individual and group counseling with students. Sophia is also an intern with the Department of Veterans Affairs Social Services Department.
Education:
California State University, East Bay Master of Social Work (MSW) Candidate 2022
Celina has over 25 years of experience working in the human services field and community involvement throughout California and Hawai’i. Prior professional experience includes working as the Social Services of a skilled nursing facility, Case Manager for child abuse cases, and Health Educator and Program Facilitator for at-risk and high-risk youth. She remains very active in her local community by serving as a Girl Scouts Troop Leader and Treasurer, Vacation Bible School Teacher during the summers, and as Ambassadors to multiple local race companies.
Education:
Bachelor of Arts, Sociology, San Francisco State University
Bachelor of Arts, Asian American Studies, San Francisco State University
Master of Science, Gerontology, Eastern Illinois University (In Progress)
Ambar’s past professional experience includes Biomedical Research with UCSF and healthcare inequality research at UC Berkeley. Ambar has also provided academic support for high school and community college students. She has extensive knowledge and expertise with adult mental health and wellness. Ambar is passionate about helping her clients holistically and pointing them in the direction of resources they need to be successful.
Education:
Bachelor of Arts-Sociology UC Berkeley
Master of Social Work (MSW) University of Southern California, 2023
