Catalyst Center

Champion. Partner. Advocate.
The California Alliance: The collective voice for organizations that serve children, youth and families

For those dedicated to improving the lives of these at-risk populations, the California Alliance stands apart as the champion and leading voice for organizations that advocate for children, youth and families, and for advancing policy and services on their behalf.

https://www.catalyst-center.org/

Contact us

Kristen Montgomery

kmontgomery@cacfs.org

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Event Details

Welcoming all who are impacted by or are serving youth who have exited foster care or the juvenile justice system to collaborate on effective solutions to help transition aged youth with housing and supports to thrive into adulthood.


This is a collaborative project led by those with lived expertise and a cross section of professionals and providers who together seek to share and improve resources and available services.

Agenda

May 31, 2024

Main Schedule

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Networking Breakfast
Registration, networking and food, exploration of the Foster Youth Flea Market, Art from Penny Lane and Photography from Journey House
9:30 AM - 9:35 AM
Welcome Remarks + Opening Poetry Reading
Welcome Remarks by Selena Liu Raphael and Celeste Walley. Also, a reading from Jacqueline Robles.
Jacqueline Robles
Jacqueline Robles
Jacqueline is an economic development advisor at a national nonprofit, where she spearheads advocacy initiatives nationwide aimed at advancing outcomes for historically marginalized communities. Prior to her current role, Jacqueline served as a project manager at a Los Angeles consulting firm, specializing in community engagement and crafting policies to promote affordable housing. Proudly embracing her Indigenous and Latina heritage, Jacqueline is dedicated to "leveling the playing field" for communities of color and advocating for current and former foster youth. Her expertise lies in community engagement, systemic understanding, and leveraging her own experiences to champion marginalized communities often overlooked in decision-making processes. Jacqueline holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from California State University Long Beach and a Master of Public Policy degree from UCLA. When she's not tirelessly working to make communities more equitable or advocating for foster youth, you'll find her spending time with her German Shepherd and Husky, exploring new cities, or experimenting with recipes inspired by TikTok.
9:40 AM - 9:50 AM
Keynote
Jo Williams will share her reflections on life after foster care and what foster youth need to thrive into adulthood
Jo Williams
Jo Williams
Jo Williams is an advocate, researcher, and artist who is deeply dedicated to the autonomy and wellness of all people with marginalized identities. She received her B.A. in Human Biology from Stanford University in 2016 and earned her Master's in Public Health from UC Berkeley in 2022. Her lived experience in the foster care system informs much of her politic, study and advocacy in the Child Welfare space and beyond. Her previous research and professional endeavors have ranged from improving sexual health wellness and education for local foster youth at the community and state level to bolstering lactation access supports for Black mamas and birthing people in the SF Bay Area. Now as the Program Manager for Girlx Lab at UCSF, Jo is supporting research that advances the reproductive and sexual autonomy of Black women and girls through intentional youth and community engagement. These days, you can find Jo in the Bay Area, taking long walks, singing karaoke, and building a life full of joy and chosen family. As a former LA County ward of the court, it is her honor to return home to deliver this message about thriving into adulthood.
9:50 AM - 10:05 AM
Morning Grounding Activity: First Step in Mindfulness
Grounding is an initial step in mindfulness. We'll do a mindful listening and breathing exercise. Participants will intentionally "listen" and be "heard" without judgment.
10:10 AM - 10:30 AM
Fire-side Chat: From Recommendation to Legislation (AB2802)
Levi will share a personal impact statement about the importance of gender flexibility in THP services. Levi will share the journey of traveling to Sacramento to testify on behalf of AB2802. CACFS policy staff will share next steps and how you can support AB2082!
Levi Nuñez
Levi Nuñez
LGBTQ+ Peer Navigator for foster youth and advocate for homeless youth, fueled by personal experience. Actively involved in raising awareness and providing support to young individuals in need, and committed to guiding and empowering them to overcome challenges and thrive. Passionate about fostering resilience and inspiring positive change.
Purva Bhattacharjee
Purva Bhattacharjee
Purva joins the California Alliance with a background in nonprofit work and health policy. Previously, she served as the Media Specialist for the California Medical Association, an organization that lobbies on behalf of 50,000 doctors across California to advocate for patients, physicians, and broad public health policies. She also served as a Project Assistant for 2 years at the Scholars Strategy Network in Sacramento, an organization that connects policymakers to research scholars. Purva is a graduate of the University of California, Davis, where she was president of IGNITE, a student organization dedicated to inspiring young women to run for political office. Her passion lies in increasing representation and resources for underserved communities.
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Morning Presentations: Highlighting Rio Hondo College
Dr. Angela Medina Rhodes
Dr. Angela Medina Rhodes
Dr. Angela Medina Rhodes was born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley and is a graduate of William Workman High School in the City of Industry. She attended Rio Hondo College in Whittier immediately after high school. After she earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, she returned to Rio Hondo College to serve the community that supported her. She has been teaching there since 2002 and now holds a Doctorate of Education from the University of Southern California. Dr. Medina Rhodes is a published author, business owner, volunteer, advocate, and Professor of English. Among other campus leadership roles, she is the current Academic Senate President and is known as a strong advocate for inclusion, diversity, equity, anti-racism, LGBTQ+, and accessibility in her work at the college and the communities she serves. She volunteers her time with the Extended Opportunity Programs and services (EOPS)/Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE) Program to help provide education and wrap-around support to the most vulnerable students and their children. Due to her love and dedication to serving students and their families, she has earned the title of Faculty Ambassador to the CARE Program at Rio Hondo College. Her advocacy for whole-student care was recognized by Intuit as she was named one of the “100 Champions” in May 2022 for her innovative actions to ensure student success and course completion. She actively supports justice-involved and formerly incarcerated students through the Rising Scholars Faculty Advisory Committee for the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges. She supports women and girls in Whittier and the surrounding communities through volunteer activities with Soroptimist International of Whittier. She serves on the Legislation and Advocacy Committee for the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges. In June 2022 she was awarded the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the National Latino Peace Officers Association. Dr. Medina Rhodes intends to continue leadership roles in education and lifelong service to her community.
Deborah V. Lopez
Deborah V. Lopez
Deborah has more than 15 years of experience working in higher education. She has directly supported college students who come from diverse backgrounds and underserved populations. While pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services she was able to intern with various family agencies and become knowledgeable of the services and resources available to Resource Families. Later, she went on to pursue a Master’s Degree in Education and most of her research was dedicated to learning the barriers foster youth face when trying to pursue higher education and the importance of supporting youth, at an early age to create a path to success. In 2013, she began working at Rio Hondo College in the office of financial aid, where she got to administer the Chafee Grant and the Federal Work Study Program. She was involved in foster and kinship care advisory committees and supported the foster youth club on campus. The desire to combine both of her degrees encouraged her to pursue becoming the Specialist of FKCE and YESS-ILP Programs at Rio Hondo College. There she supported Resource Parents, Guardian Scholars, and Probationary or formerly incarcerated students. She was in this role for 8 years until last July 2023 when she got promoted to Grant Manager for the NextUp/Guardian Scholars program and CalWORKs Program. She currently oversees all funding sources, policies and procedures of these programs which support current/former foster youth and parenting students.
Savannah Williams
Savannah Williams
Rio Hondo College Panelist
Maybelline Mejia Paz
Maybelline Mejia Paz
Rio Hondo College Panelist
Neli Cervantes Lopez
Neli Cervantes Lopez
Rio Hondo College Panelist
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Lunch and Exhibit Time
Networking and food, exploration of the Foster Youth Flea Market, art from Penny Lane and Didi Hirsch, pottery from Optimist Youth Homes, photography from Journey House and a community art demo with Joel Swazo!
1:00 PM - 1:15 PM
Grounding Activity #2: Afternoon Grounding
Grounding is an initial step in mindfulness. We'll do a mindful listening and breathing exercise. Participants will intentionally "listen" and be "heard" without judgment.
Eric Warren Jr.
Eric Warren Jr.
Eric Warren Jr is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Speaker and Certified Batterers Intervention Facilitator. Eric obtained a BA in Business Management and went on to received his Master of Arts in Counseling in Psychology at Pacific Oaks College. Eric began his career as a psychotherapist working with a partnering agency (Sycamores) of the Department of Mental Health in South Los Angeles. While working with Sycamores Eric served as a clinician for various programs including Wraparound, TBS and FSP. In conjunction with providing individual clinical services Eric also facilitates court ordered services including anger management and batterers intervention through the mental health organization “Pride Rock Wellness” that he co-founded alongside of William Elliott and Andres Ruiz. In 2019 Pride Rock Wellness was given clearance to conduct processing groups for incarcerated youth at Barry Nordoff Juvenile Hall where Eric was able to help youth understand the principles of Emotional Intelligence. Eric is a firm believer that the journey toward individual healing will involve having to travel on unpaved roads that lead to redemption. Eric is passionate about healing and growing with couples, individuals, and families in hopes they realize their greatness within.
Andres J. Ruiz
Andres J. Ruiz
Andres J. Ruiz is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 15 years of experience in the field. His expertise lies in working with children, adolescents, and adults, providing psychoeducation, social services, and direct mental health therapy. He has a successful track record of treating clients from diverse ethnic, cultural, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Mr. Ruiz's relevant experience encompasses a wide range of mental health issues including depression, anxiety, attachment, PTSD, impulse control, conduct disorders, interpersonal violence, and marital challenges. He has worked extensively in community-based mental health agencies, where he managed child protective services and probation cases. Additionally, he has taught social and emotional intelligence to youth in juvenile hall and provided court-mandated parenting, anger management, and domestic violence classes. Furthermore, Mr. Ruiz has shared his expertise through lectures on various mental health and education topics at esteemed universities such as UCLA, LMU, Antioch University, and LA Southwest College. He holds a bachelor's degree in liberal arts and a master's in clinical psychology with an emphasis in Community Psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles. Mr. Ruiz is fluent in both English and Spanish, offering all his services in both languages to better serve his diverse clientele.
1:15 PM - 2:45 PM
Afternoon Presentations: Underground GRIT
Underground GRIT advocates for and provides a full scope of transformative re-entry services and holistic mental health support to men, women, and youth who have been system impacted and who are breaking cycles perpetuated by trauma.
Sharon Tang, MPH
Sharon Tang, MPH
Sharon is relentlessly dedicated to whole-person community healing. She is the co-founder of Underground GRIT, spearheading non-profit re-entry, in-reach, and holistic mental health initiatives for youth and adults returning from prisons, jails, juvenile detention centers, and immigration detention facilities. She co-founded Underground Panthers collaborative partnership with Chapman University, paving an incarceration-to-college pipeline for formerly incarcerated youth and young adults. In addition, she was selected as a Young Person of Color (YPOC) Fellow for the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (NICJR) for extraordinary leadership in the fields of criminal justice reform, violence reduction, and community organizing. She is a first-generation college graduate and child of refugees from the Vietnam War and Cambodian genocide. She made it her personal mission to gain training that resolves the issues she was too young to solve for her family
Josue
Josue "Swey" Pineda
Josue (Swey) Pineda has been a youth Advocate since 2018. His work as an abolitionist started after he was facing 23 years to life in prison at the age of 19 in 2017. Post-incarceration Swey has been a mentor for youth both currently inside juvenile hall and youth coming back into the community. Through his work with Resilience Orange County, Swey has mentored and created curriculums centered around youth development for formerly incarcerated youth. From 2020 through 2022 Swey was a youth mentor and case manager for formerly incarcerated youth where he assisted with re-entry services, job placement, peer to peer mentoring, as well as enrollment into higher education. He is an artist, podcast host for Not in Isolation: Voices of Youth, a podcast that centers the experience of youth who have been placed in Solitary confinement. This is part of a nationwide campaign to Stop Solitary For Kids. Currently Josue is a youth facilitator and Youth Reentry Coordinator with Hoops 4 Justice. He is certified in Seeking Safety (group and individual therapy that addresses both substance abuse and PTSD) and currently sits as a Young Adult Advisory through the ACEs Aware Initiative.
2:45 PM - 3:05 PM
Closing Remarks: Twinspire - Together We Inspire
Demontea Thompson, a native of Compton, is the Executive Director of Together We Inspire, a Los Angeles nonprofit focused on enhancing educational and career outcomes for foster youth.

Angelo serves as Program Director for Twinspire. He is dedicated to uplifting Black and Brown youth and is passionate about combatting structural racism and creating spaces of radical healing
Demontea Thompson
Demontea Thompson
Demontea Thompson, a native of Compton, is the Executive Director of Together We Inspire, a Los Angeles nonprofit focused on enhancing educational and career outcomes for foster youth. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. at UCLA's School of Education, he explores strategies for empowering youth of color, particularly those involved in the child welfare and justice systems. Demontea, a published author and accomplished slam poet, is recognized for his TEDx Talk and appearances on the Kelly Clarkson Show, where he advocates for translating research into practical solutions. He holds a master's degree from USC and a bachelor's from CSUN.
Angelo Agunae
Angelo Agunae
With a B.A. in African American Studies from UCLA and 4 1/2 years of experience in Urban Education, Angelo serves as Program Director for Twinspire. He is dedicated to uplifting Black and Brown youth. From teaching English 10 and Writing Composition to implementing restorative justice practices as the first Student Support Specialist at Animo City of Champions Charter High School, Angelo is passionate about combatting structural racism and creating spaces of radical healing
3:05 PM - 4:00 PM
Exhibits and Art Gallery
More networking and food, exploration of the Foster Youth Flea Market, Art from Penny Lane and Didi Hirsch, Pottery from Optimist Youth Homes and Photography from Journey House as we close our convening.

Presenters

Jacqueline Robles

Jacqueline Robles

Jo Williams

Jo Williams

Eric Warren Jr.

Eric Warren Jr.

Andres J. Ruiz

Andres J. Ruiz

Sharon Tang, MPH

Sharon Tang, MPH

Josue

Josue "Swey" Pineda

Levi Nuñez

Levi Nuñez

Purva Bhattacharjee

Purva Bhattacharjee

Dr. Angela Medina Rhodes

Dr. Angela Medina Rhodes

Deborah V. Lopez

Deborah V. Lopez

Savannah Williams

Savannah Williams

Maybelline Mejia Paz

Maybelline Mejia Paz

Neli Cervantes Lopez

Neli Cervantes Lopez

Angelo Agunae

Angelo Agunae

Demontea Thompson

Demontea Thompson

Tay Artists

Pay What You Can Sponsored Tickets

As organizers of Thriving into Adulthood Conference, we've adopted a "pay what you can" ticket model to underscore our commitment to inclusivity, community building, and alignment with our mission. By offering a graduated ticket model, we want to prioritize accessibility, ensuring that individuals passionate about our mission can participate regardless of financial constraints. This approach fosters a diverse and collaborative community, embodying our belief that positive change arises from inclusivity and shared dedication to our common cause. Additionally, any sponsored tickets contribute to providing sponsorships for our ongoing outreach, ensuring the continuity of impactful programs that align with our mission. 

Complimentary Conference Ticket

We extend a warm welcome to everyone who shares a passion for our mission. This complimentary ticket guarantees your registration for the Thriving into Adulthood Conference. Should you feel inclined to provide additional support to our youth programs, we invite you to explore our sponsor tickets during the checkout process. Your attendance not only enhances your experience but also plays a crucial role in fueling the growth and impact of our initiatives. Thank you for considering the opportunity to contribute to our cause through your participation.

Standard PriceComplimentary

Aligned Sponsor

This sponsored ticket solidifies Catalysts' dedication to fostering Community, Innovation, Equity, and Interconnectedness. By supporting the Catalyst mission, you contribute to the sustainability of our programs and the progression of the movement. Your support enables us to make a meaningful impact and uphold our commitment to these core values.

Standard Price$25

Bloom Sponsor

This sponsored ticket plays a direct role in covering expenses for our Foster Flea and Tay panelists' travel to and from the conference. These programs specifically cater to disenfranchised youth who have encountered the hurdles of the foster care system. We firmly believe that their participation and voices constitute an essential and integral aspect of the Thriving Into Adulthood Program. Your support ensures their meaningful involvement in shaping this transformative initiative.

Standard Price$50

Empower Sponsor

This sponsored ticket provides crucial backing for the emerging artists from both Penny Lane and Journey House. These programs are dedicated to supporting at-risk and underserved youth in nurturing their creative pursuits. By securing this support, we not only ensure the continued encouragement of the healing power of art but also contribute to the sustainability of our gallery. Additionally, your sponsorship aids in the production of the second edition of the Journey House poetry book, further amplifying the voices and talents of our young artists.

Standard Price$100

Sponsors and Partners

Venue

Venue

Kellogg West Conference Center and Hotel
West Temple Avenue 3801
Pomona, California

Contact us

For additional event or venue information, please send an email to kmontgomery@cacfs.org

See route

FAQ

Q: Is parking available for the conference? 

A: Yes, complimentary parking is provided for all conference attendees. If you intend to drive, kindly complete the following form to register your vehicle with the Kellogg West Conference Center for complimentary parking.

KW Conference Guest Parking Guest Link​


*Please refer to the parking map image located at the bottom of the page, which is linked to a Google Map showcasing nearby hotels, restaurants, parking lot location, and more.

For more questions around parking please reach out to Kristen Montgomery at kmontgomery@cacfs.org


Q: Do I need a hotel room? 

A: Because this is a single day convening, we have not arranged a hotel block for our attendees. If you feel you may need a hotel room on Thursday, May 30th please see these nearby options within 15 minutes of the Kellogg West Event Center.


La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Pomona

3200 W Temple Ave, Pomona, CA, 91768

Hotel Booking Link​


Best Western Diamond Bar Hotel & Suites

259 Gentle Springs Ln, Diamond Bar, CA 91765

Hotel Booking Link ​


Q: Can I buy a ticket on-site? 

A: We are dedicated to providing a graduated ticketing system to ensure that everyone who desires to attend can do so, regardless of their financial circumstances. While complimentary tickets are offered for this event, we warmly welcome any voluntary donations you may wish to contribute while on-site.



Q: What is the refund policy?  

A: We are providing complimentary tickets for this event. Any ticket options that require payment, regardless of attendance, are considered donation tickets, and refunds will not be issued.

 

Q: Can I transfer my confirmed ticket to someone else if I'm unable to attend? 

A: Absolutely! We allow substitutions and transfers. Please contact Kmontgomery@cacfs.org if you need to transfer a confirmed ticket to another individual. 


Q: Who can I contact for more conference information? 

A: Please see staff contact list for more information. 


Sponsorship Inquiries: If you're interested in sponsoring this event, please reach out to Corina Dubon -cdubon@cacfs.org


Tay Involvement: If you are one of our Tay or exhibitors for this event, please each out to Celeste Walley - cwalley@catalyst-center.org 


Event Logisitics- If you have questions regarding event logistics, please reach out to Kristen Montgomery - Kmontgomery@cacfs.org