Name: Ali Manrique
Position: SpED Program Assistant
What led you to your current position? I'm really interested in the connection between psychology and education. I learned a lot working with students with IEPs last year as a mental health counselor. This year, I wanted to expand my knowledge on the process of IEPs and understand a more in-depth look at its compliance. I knew that most parents I'd work with were Spanish speaking, and I wanted to support families in feeling included in the IEP process despite the language barrier.
What inspires you to do this work? The IEP process can be a bit tricky at times but it's rewarding to know that I am helping in making the process more accessible for the parents and students I work with. Hearing and reading about the positive progress students are making in their educational goals makes me so proud  Within the operational side of my role, I'm inspired by my PA team who works really hard to maintain positive structure within our program, especially in times when there are things out of our control.
What is an important lesson you’ve learned in this role? An important lesson I've learned in this role is the importance of building positive and meaningful relationships within the workplace. Being in admin role can sometimes feel lonely (especially during WFH) but throughout it all I've met some wonderful people on my team who have helped me grow as a leader and expand my communication skills. Although I have not met most of my team in person, I feel a sense of community as I know we all strive to advocate for the students and families we work with. Whether it's hearing how a student is doing, checking in with a co-worker, or having impactful conversations in meetings, I'm grateful for it all.
Share your life motto: I always tell myself "one day at a time/un dia a la vez". Every day brings new rewards and challenges, and it's comforting to know that there is always a new day ahead.

Name: Louise Couzens
Position: Therapist/Clinical Intervention Specialist
What led you to your current position? I have always been drawn (pun!) to art therapy, as art was such an important form of expression and connection for me when I was younger, but it wasn't until I had the opportunity to work with children at a school for those with severe Autism, and later at our very own Building Blocks (Go Ladybugs!) that I fell in love with working with children and families.  I love how children use all forms of expression, behaviors included, to try and let us know what they are experiencing and what they might need, and in working at a school I really enjoy the challenge of translating those expressions for teachers and caregivers to better understand how to meet the children where they're at. 
What inspires you to do this work? Those 'aha' moments when a child connects to an idea or a person where they feel completely seen or understood.  And the breath that a caregiver can take when they no longer have to carry everything alone, if at least for just a moment.
What is an important lesson you’ve learned in this role? I wish I knew who originally said this, but always striving to work myself out of a job is an important lesson that I sit with often.  I work amongst so many amazing people, the children and caregivers included, who have so many strengths that if highlighted in the right way, children will see that they have all they need to cope with life's challenges, or if they're struggling, how to ask for and receive help from the right people around them.
Share something unique about yourself: I love drawing portraits to express people and emotions, and my BA is in printmaking (I LOVE lithography and the smell of ink!)

Name: Rachel Machtinger
Position: Bilingual Clinical Intervention Specialist
What led you to your current position? I never wanted to do a job where I was working for a company selling a product. That left me with a service-based job.  I love that there are ways to make a living in the world where your job is based around being in relationship with people. Being a therapist is one of a few very cool careers where your work is entirely devoted to supporting people in the deepest way, facilitating a space in which they can identify their most important human needs and explore themselves without pretense or shame.
What inspires you to do this work? I chose to work with kids because (I totally love them, and) they don't always get offered a space where they can be their true selves, as they are often put in situations where they are told to do things or accept things and don't get a chance to figure out how they feel about it. I think giving kids a space to fully have their own, authentic experience, and have that validated by an adult that sees them in their truth, is a mitzvah.
What is an important lesson you’ve learned in this role? This year, during Shelter In Place and Distance Learning, I learned the value of being with kids in person. I will never again take for granted that a kid is present at school, even when their hood is up and they are unresponsive with their head down at their desk.  Being there in body--that is huge.  I also learned that even when they are logged in to Zoom class with their camera and microphone off and not responding--they still logged in, and that is also huge. There is something they are getting out of coming to school, or logging in, even if they are not saying a word or doing a single math problem. We are still offering them something that is valuable to them, just by being there consistently and being our authentic, caring selves. And they are choosing to take us up on that.
Share your life motto: My life motto is "Part of the whole," which brings to my mind the image of a vast spider web. We are all connected and impact each other. We all have a small place (in the grand scheme of things) in which we belong.

Name: Justina Wu
Position: Unconditional Education Coach
What led you to your current position? During my time as a Mental Health Counselor at an NPS (Building Blocks) and public education, I was a part of teams that collaboratively worked together to create systems/routines and focused on building relationships with students that resulted in tremendous growth in our students. At the same time, I observed that general education staff were in need of support for students who mainstreamed into their classrooms. There were also misconceptions about our i-CEC classrooms, and how staff and the community identified these students. With both experiences, I desired to do more to not only support our i-CEC classrooms further, but to also support the inclusion of our i-CEC students and to build a positive school-wide culture and climate.
What inspires you to do this work? What drew me to join Seneca is the crucial work we do with students who have experienced trauma, institutional systemic barriers, and our agency's value of providing unconditional care. The kids are my "why" and continue to inspire me with the resilience they show daily.
What is an important lesson you’ve learned in this role? This work is relational. It's very difficult to be successful in this work without trusting relationships. We all need feedback and guidance to grow, for both adults and students, but we will never be able to receive and act on it if there is no trust established which takes our walls and defenses down.
Share your life motto: My life motto is that everyone just needs a place or a person where they truly feel seen, heard, and belong. The world would be a different place if that were true. I desire to create spaces where people can experience it.

Name: Brenda Larios
Position: Bilingual Clinical Intervention Specialist 
What led you to your current position? I started working at Seneca in 2014 after gaining interest in providing mental health services to youth and families. Throughout my experience in multiple Seneca programs, I have seen the need for mental health/advocacy services in the school setting therefore sparking an interest in a school-based program. I am hoping that this position, allows me to advocate and provide a space for youth to focus on their emotional well-being. 
What inspires you to do this work? After all this years, one thing that inspires me to continue to do this work is Youth’s and family’s resiliency despite all the challenges/stressors they have experienced. Additionally, being able to provide services in Spanish, inspires me to continue to develop my skill set as a clinician to continue to provide mental health services to this community. 
What is an important lesson you’ve learned in this role? To continue to advocate for our youth and families in the educational system. 
Share your life motto: Be present and enjoy the little things in life. 

Name: Carlos M. Muñoz Bucio
Position: Behavior Intervention Specialist
What led you to your current position? I enjoy the possibility of designing and evaluating interventions based on the conditions where and when the behavior occurs. I think that conflict opens opportunities to foster relationships and collaborate with students and their community on new systematical alternatives to reduce distress (anxiety), and consequently, disruption.
What inspires you to do this work? I work with elementary grade students, so every day, there are moments of joy and silliness. These guys are creative, resilient, funny, and intelligent. My inspiration comes from my students’ experiences and my work colleagues’ support to keep myself be innovative.
What is a recent highlight you’ve experienced in the work or an important lesson you’ve learned in this role? I believe that behavior results from the relationship between the student and his/her community; “the student is the community, and the community is the student.” In these terms, the behavior is not an isolated problem; it is a community responsibility. In these terms, I’m currently teaching all students how to regulate their passions/emotions to better judge when conflict arises. Finally, on November 2nd, the school staff, students, and I created a space to honor and remember how much we love our deceased friends and families by setting a community ofrenda for the “Día de Los Muertos.”
Share something unique about yourself: I was born in Mérida, Yucatán, a town situated near Chicxulub – google it, something about dinosaurs will surprise you. Around 10 years ago, while I was living in Mexico, I had to go to urgent care in a Mexico City hospital due to significant respiratory issues. I came into the hospital and let know the front office person I was having difficulties breathing. She only asked for my ID and a contact person to call if I needed to be hospitalized. Then she said to wait in the waiting room. No more than 10 minutes in the waiting room, I was called to see the physician. To make this story short, I received medicine through a mechanical nebulizer, X-Ray, and a second visit with another medical specialist, all on the same day. I paid the equivalency of 15 dollars and without having insurance. If it is possible in Mexico, it is possible in very wealthy countries. 

Name: Abraham Munoz
Position: Student Support Assistant
What led you to your current position? I would have to say that working with students at an after-school program during my undergrad years is what led me to my current position. I wanted to work with students of all backgrounds to support them in pursuing their academic, personal, and social-emotional goals with life. I knew this position offered that opportunity at a school setting, and this is why I decided to take a chance in making a positive impact to these young scholars in the community.
What inspires you to do this work? I have learned that there is a large variety of students that are not supported well enough to bring out their inner qualities to succeed. What inspires me to do this work is to be a resource to as much students as I can to let them know that they are capable of anything in this life. I want to educate, learn, and motivate from others bring out a positive light to students who have lost, suffered, and most of all doubted themselves through difficult moments in their life.
What is an important lesson you’ve learned in this role? An important lesson that I have learned in this role is to be patient with all the students that I work with. I realized that sometimes it will take time to make progress in supporting students to reach their goals. We cannot force or rush a student because that only leads to more stress and pressure.
Share your life motto: There are so many paths in this adventure we call life, but you are the only guide to your happiness in the end.

Name: Makalah Fleming-McElroy
Position: Clinical Intervention Specialist, KIPP Bridge Rising
What led you to your current position? Ever since I can remember, I knew that I was put on this earth to change the world. Through a compilation of personal experiences that consisted of both challenges and triumphs, I have learned exactly how I can do just that! I am driven by this passion and know that it is my duty to fulfill it, ensuring to constantly plug in to make sure that the work I do is always a reflection of that.
On top of having the opportunity to teach little brown children their worth, how to better understand themselves, and how their experiences can build towards meaningful outcomes/solutions, I get to teach pivotal adults in their lives to do the same which feels like a dream come true… I literally get to do my “heart work” every day.
What inspires you to do this work? Knowing the beauty and limitlessness of unconditional love, work, and care. Being a little black girl, now 25-year-old woman, from East Oakland California, understanding the beauty and struggle of that experience and position. The realization that the intentional, unconditional love that I received despite circumstance is the direct force which helped me transcend barriers has pushed me to want to introduce this possibility and be that person for other children, especially those of color within this community. That then, they may see, know and understand just how valuable and limitless they are despite the constraints that the world and sometimes even their own communities/families have both knowingly and unknowingly put on them.
What is an important lesson you’ve learned in this role? One huge lesson I have learned and pivotal reminder for me within this work is the importance of authenticity and learning to bring yourself fully, wholly and unapologetically to the table for discussions with parents, children, teachers, leaders and other collaborators. Although the knowledge I learned in undergrad and the achievement of my Master’s degree is key …. My personal experience, outlook, realness and twist to it all is therapeutic within itself too and is something I must never doubt. I have found the most substantial healing-- for myself and the little lives I touch comes when I show up in that way.
These children and families already have the tools within themselves for healing and success… it is just my duty to help them uncover it, see what’s possible and keep as well as utilize their unique vision for their lives as the propelling force and source.
Share your life motto or something unique about yourself: I strive to live every day in authentic power-- when your personality comes to serve the very essence of your soul, you will know power, “authentic power”.

​Name: Adrianna Delacruz
Position: Bilingual Clinical Intervention Specialist
What led you to your current position? The desire to work in this field was a direct result of my upbringing and experiences in life. While in foster care, I met so many loving and devoted people who were there to help me; their titles ranged from my foster mom, psychiatrists, social workers, case managers, and therapists. Each one made an overwhelmingly positive impact on my life. The footprints imprinted on my heart instilled an intense admiration and respect for the clinical work in community mental health.
What inspires you to do this work? Life was rough growing up, I endured many traumatic experiences at a very young age that led to childhood and adolescence colored by survival and coping. I ended up in the foster care system for a few years and my clinical team paved the way for healing the trauma that was left unaddressed and unhealed from my early days. Over the years, I have experienced the powerful and transformative impacts of therapy, giving me a second chance at life despite early adverse beginnings. My driving purpose of this work is to provide a safe healing space and support my clients and their families through their healing process.
What is a recent highlight you’ve experienced in the work or an important lesson you’ve learned in this role? In my journey to becoming a clinical therapist I have grown through my own empathy, resilience and acceptance.
Share your life motto: "Every day is a fresh start."

​Name: Shakera Buchanan
Position: Clinical Intervention Specialist
What led you to your current position? At times I felt like the current position I am in almost fell in my lap. Prior to becoming a Clinician that serves children, youth, and families, I was a Case Manager that provided case management services to formerly homeless and homeless adults for over 12 years. It was not until I went to graduate school through an internship opportunity, where I discovered school- based mental health services. I quickly fell in love with working in this setting and with this population. After this experience, I knew that I wanted to become a school-based clinician and here I am now.
What inspires you to do this work? As a Black woman who is the product of the Oakland Unified School District, OUSD,  and a mother of two children who are students in the OUSD, I feel that I have a duty to give back to a community that has given so much to me. I am inspired by the teachers, administrators and school staff that I have witnessed fight hard, love hard and give so much for our kiddo’s even when it seems like so many  others have given up. I am inspired by the parents and caregivers that despite their limited resources, abilities, and provisions they continue to advocate and show up in support of their children’s education and social emotional growth. I am so inspired by our children that despite any hardships, struggles or oppositions they may face, they persevere with their education with a wholesome attitude. I am so happy that I get to not only witness this but be a part of it in some small way.
What is a recent highlight you’ve experienced in the work or an important lesson you’ve learned in this role? Teamwork does make the dream work. I love our Coordination of Service Team, COST at Horace Mann Elementary School. All school staff and community partners come together and collaborate on best ways to support students and families and they execute this task so well. There have been many students and families who have greatly benefitted from this team’s coordinated efforts and actions.
Share your life motto: My favorite life motto is, This too shall pass. I have experienced many personal hardships in life, as a youth and as well as an adult. I know if I persevere, whatever it is will pass and I will be able to make it through.