Maria grew up in Richmond, CA but was born in Michoacán, México. During her high school education, she was introduced to community work through her urban agriculture class. She became involved with a community based program at 14 and worked with them until she transitioned to yli. Her work there is what led her to be passionate about youth development. Maria is a first generation college graduate from UC Davis. In 2019, she received her BA in Chicano/a studies.
Prior to joining yli, Maria spent a lot of time working with youth at community gardens in Richmond. She taught Richmond youth about food sovereignty, sustainable practices, climate change, how to restore their relationship with the land, and to grow their own produce.
Here at yli, Maria leads one school based program in Novato and also participates in a Novato community based program that integrates youth from around the county. Our school based program is held at Marin Oaks High School – an alternative school with a unique model that allows us to serve their youth as part of their leadership class. As it is a small campus, this group tends to vary anywhere from 10-12 youth per semester. Our Novato community based program is going strong as we embark on our third year. This group has held youth-led/focused roundtable conversations that have helped us understand the urgent need for mental health resources and spaces. They have also focused a lot of their energy on learning more about major trends in substance use and prevention mechanisms. This group is now proudly serving 13 youth. Maria is responsible for cultivating safe spaces where youth are allowed to grow, learn, participate and become leaders in their communities.
Outside of work, Maria is busy raising her two daughters, being a gymnastics mom, making crafts, staying active, and cooking up new dishes for her family.