The Monarch Services Board of Directors announces two new members: Rafael Hernandez and Mariana España.
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Rafael Hernandez: Between community organizing, filmmaking, teaching, consulting work and volunteering, he has over 20 years of experience working for immigrant and underserved communities in California and abroad. Hernandez has taught at Hartnell College and Rancho Cielo Youth Campus and supported children’s education in the Salinas Valley. He now works on housing policy, education, and advocacy because he views housing as central to people’s lives.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in Sociology fromUC Berkeley, and his master’s degree in public administration at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey.
He is an Education Pioneers Fellow, an award-winning documentary filmmaker and speaks four languages. He is an avid practitioner of mixed martial arts, dancing, and he writes multilingual rap poetry. And he is a committed father whose favorite thing in the world is to be with his son.
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Mariana España: She was born in Mexico City, lived in Oaxaca, Mexico in her early childhood and spent part of her adolescence in Spain. From the time of her first arrival in the United States, Santa Cruz has been her first and most lasting home. España began her community involvement as a recreational leader in Watsonville. She later worked in the educational system as a teacher’s aide and peer mentor to youth.
After earning her bachelor’s degree in La Raza Studies, she returned to Santa Cruz and worked with Monarch Servicers as a youth advocate and then as Monarch’s children and youth program manager. España then earned her master’s degree in social work with emphasis in children and youth.
She was awarded a Title Four scholarship and placement in Santa Cruz County Family Services. She then worked for San Mateo County Aging and Adult Services for six years, initially as an in-home support services social worker, but then as program supervisor. España returned home to Santa Cruz while expecting her first child and is now a stay-at- home mother.
España is bicultural and fully bilingual in Spanish and English. She has volunteered helping rescue animals, raising money for research foundations to save our planet, fighting policies that reduce access and rights for individuals with physical limitations, to save our libraries, and to vote in elections.
España currently offers low-cost fitness classes to the elderly, sliding scale Zumba dance instruction, organizes book drives and mother’s groups, coaches soccer and runs for charities. When taking time for herself, she enjoys making piñatas, dancing, and drawing.
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Monarch Services has a 44-year history in Santa Cruz County of providing advocacy and resources to community members affected by violence. Services include court accompaniments, restraining order assistance, counseling, emergency shelter, 24-hour crisis line, outreach, education and support groups.