Grail Family Services Staff
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Veronica Goei Executive Director 408-347-7892 ext. 303 vgoei@gfsfamilyservices.org |
Veronica came to GFS as the Executive Director in early 2000. She is a leader in the non-profit sector with more than 18 years of experience. Under her leadership GFS has developed expertise in early childhood literacy and in working with Latino families. She has developed curricula in the areas of parenting, diversity, early childhood literacy, and adult education. Some of her curricula is currently being implemented at the local, state and nationwide level. Veronica holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Chile. She is a graduate of the Harvard University Strategic Perspective in Nonprofit Management Program. She counts many accomplishments in her professional career but none is greater than her family—her husband and two children, Heather and Jeremy. |
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Jessica Cruz Office Manager 408-347-7892 ext. 302 jcruz@gfsfamilyservices.org |
| Jessica provides administrative support to staff. Her past employment includes mortgage loan processing and managing an insurance office. Jessica is an East San José native. She is married and has two children. | |
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Kristen Anderson Family Literacy Associate 408-347-7892 ext. 302 kanderson@gfsfamilyservices.org |
| Kristen Anderson is responsible for coordinating, implementing, and evaluating GFS’s family literacy programs for adults and their children. The Family Literacy Associate works closely with other GFS staff to ensure the tight integration of the literacy programs at GFS. Prior to arriving at the agency, Kristen worked for four years in Guatemala promoting literacy in rural villages. She gave workshops to teachers and librarians, teaching them techniques to make reading more fun, while at the same time improving comprehension and critical thinking skills. Kristen graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a Bachelors of Arts in Economics, and recently completed her Masters of Science in Education with a focus on Literacy K-6 through Walden University. | |
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Dwaimy Rosas-Atkins Program and Volunteer Coordinator 408-347-7892 ext. 301 drosasatkins@gfsfamilyservices.org |
| Dwaimy is responsible for coordinating, implementing, and evaluating GFS's family literacy and volunteer efforts, including the Children's Library, literacy programs for adults and their children, and our annual community event (East San José Reads). She works closely with other GFS staff to ensure the development, implementation, evaluation, and integration of all GFS programs. Dwaimy has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Women Gender Studies from UC Davis. Prior to working at Grail Family Services, she was a counselor and substitute teacher at a non-public school for foster youth in Davis, CA. She created and implemented individualized behavioral and educational programs for children. | |
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Luz Santacruz Family Support Specialist 408-347-7892 ext. 301 lsantacruz@gfsfamilyservices.org |
| Luz provides case management and parenting services for families and facilitates the Women’s Support Group and NuParent program. Prior to GFS, Luz worked as a tutor and peer advisor for junior high and high school students. She has a B.A. in Law and Society and a B.A. in Spanish from UC Santa Barbara. | |
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Brenda Arenas Head Child Enrichment Coordinator 408-347-7892 childcare@gfsfamilyservices.org |
| Brenda coordinates our Child Enrichment Program. She implements and evaluates GFS Programs, such as Léeme (Read to me) and Hora de Lectura (Family Story Time). She is orginally from Chihuahua, Mexico and has lived in the Mayfair Community for the last 22 years. Brenda is a former PTA President of Adelante Elementary School. She currently is involved in monthly community meetings to better the area in which she lives and organizes local blood and bone marrow donor drives. Brenda has one daughter and loves to work with children. | |
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Maria Serna Maria is one of our child enrichment staff members. She is originally from Aguas Calientes, Mexico and has been working at GFS for more than 7 years. She likes working with children and teaching them new activities. |
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Consuelo Martinez Consuelo is one of our child enrichment staff members. She is originally from Michoacan, Mexico. She has been working at GFS for more than twelve years and she loves taking care of children. Consuelo is very happy with her job and finds working with children to be fun and exciting. |
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Marta Frias Marta is one of our child enrichment staff members. She is originally from Zacatecas, Mexico and she has been working at GFS for over 2 years. She likes working with children and teaching them different activities. |
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Nena Frias Nena is one of our child enrichment staff members. She is originally from Michoacan, Mexico and has been living in California for over 30 years. She has been with GFS since September 2007. She loves working at GFS because she enjoying taking care of children and helping them learn. |
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Alma Ruiz Alma is our Infant Teacher Associate working in the Child Enrichment Program. She completed her Early Childhood Education Units at Center for Employment (CET). She is originally from Jalisco Mexico and enjoys working with the infants. |