Collaborate PASadena New Leadership Council Members (Photos – collaboratepasadena.org)
Collaborate PASadena welcomes Allegra Cira Fischer, Kitty Cahalan, Ashley Carrasco, Sonja Johnson, and Angela Lee to their Leadership Council.
By News Desk
Based on a Collective Impact model, Collaborate PASadena is a supportive framework made up of individuals, organizations, and businesses in the western San Gabriel Valley dedicated to improving the lives of children and families. Their vision is for every child of Pasadena, Altadena, and Sierra Madre to grow up in a safe, stable, and supportive environment that prepares them for success in school and life.
– Allegra Cira Fischer – Senior Policy Attorney, Disability Rights California
Allegra Cira Fischer is a policy attorney with the Youth Practice Group at Disability Rights California (DRC). At DRC, she focuses on public policy and state legislative advocacy to advance education equity for students with disabilities, including school discipline reform. Allegra also represents youth and families in Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and special education due process hearings. She enjoys working in partnership with grassroots organizations that center the voices of impacted communities to advance systemic change. In the past, Allegra has also worked in the areas of housing, equitable community development, and family defense in the child welfare system.
Allegra lives in Altadena with her family and is an active parent volunteer in PUSD schools. She enjoys hiking in the foothills and writing personal essays and poetry.
– Kitty Cahalan – Assistant Director for Educational Outreach, California Institute for Technology
Kitty Cahalan brings to CTLO experience connecting local K-12 students with STEM educational resources and volunteers. A parent of two public school students, Kitty has served in a number of leadership roles for local public school advocacy and governance groups, including the Longfellow Elementary PTA, Blair PTSA, the Pasadena Unified School District PTA Council, California First District PTA, Longfellow School Site Council and the Pasadena Unified School District Advisory Council. She has also served as a volunteer to bring hands-on STEM activities and learning to Longfellow classrooms and served as the chair for the Longfellow Science Night for six years.
Kitty earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry at Bryn Mawr College and her Ph.D. in bioinorganic chemistry at Caltech.
– Ashley Carrasco – Preventions Program Manager, Day One
Ashley Carrasco is a Pasadena native who is passionate about her community, spending time in nature, and spending quality time with her family and dog. She currently works in the community with Day One where she creates safe spaces for young people to learn life skills such as communicating effectively and managing difficult emotions. She also educates the community about substance abuse and creates substance-free activities and spaces.
Ashley also established a nonprofit whose focus is to celebrate the people and cultures of Pasadena and Altadena. Hood Liberation, in collaboration with Pasadena CLSC, hosts an annual celebration called Dena Day that promotes local Black and brown businesses, community resources, and local creatives.
– Sonja Johnson – Health Programs District Coordinator, Pasadena Unified School District
As Pasadena Unified School District’s Health Programs District Coordinator, Dr. Sonja Johnson is responsible for elevating and amplifying the district’s various health programs and partnerships through the lens of equity and access. Prior to joining Pasadena Unified School District, Dr. Johnson spent nine years as a mentor and principal at Green Dot Public Schools and served as a senior leadership coach with Los Angeles Education Partnership. Dr. Johnson currently serves as Vice Chair on the board of Soleil Academy Charter School.
Dr. Johnson has earned a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from USC, a Master’s in Organizational Leadership in Education from California State University Dominguez and a Master’s in Human Development from Pacific Oaks College.
– Angela Lee – Executive Director, Harambee Ministries
Angela Lee resides in Pasadena with her husband Paul, her 14-year-old daughter Lizzie, 5-year-old Justise, and 4-year-old Ayla. Angela graduated from the University of Delaware with a degree in human services and a concentration in clinical services. She as a counselor with Communities in Schools, as education director for the Boys & Girls Club, and as program director for the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas.
In 2015, Angela moved to California to serve as a Junior High Pastor at Saddleback Church, and in 2017, to a Pastoral Position at Fellowship Monrovia. In January 2022, Angela responded to the call to neighborhood ministry, as Executive Director at Harambee Ministries in Northwest Pasadena.
Angela is a wife, mom, sister, pastor, preacher, and friend, surviving on coffee and Peloton rides.
They will be joining Collaborate PASadena’s team of Dr. Elizabeth Blanco, Lidia Carlton, Vannia De La Cuba, Carla Hegwood, Mo Hyman, Eric Johnson, Kim Kenne, Natasha Mahone, and Brian Stanley.
Proposal for Collaboration
Introduction: Greetings,
My name is Harold Levingston, and I am a member of Awesome God New Life Ministries and Awesome God Community Missions. Our mission is to serve our community by providing support, encouragement, and resources to those in need, particularly focusing on children and families. We believe in the power of collaboration and are seeking partnerships with like-minded ministries, organizations, and charities in the Pasadena area to expand our reach and impact.
Our Mission: At Awesome God New Life Ministries, we are dedicated to sharing testimonies, encouraging others, and balancing tradition with innovation in our ministry work. Our community missions focus on helping children and providing essential services to families in need. We aim to create a supportive and nurturing environment where everyone can thrive.
Proposal for Collaboration: We are reaching out to explore potential collaboration opportunities with your esteemed organization. By working together, we can pool our resources, expertise, and networks to make a more significant impact in our community. Here are some areas where we believe we can collaborate effectively:
Community Outreach Programs:
○ Joint community events and outreach programs to support children and families.
○ Educational workshops and seminars on various topics such as health, education, and personal development.
Resource Sharing:
○ Sharing of facilities, volunteers, and resources to maximize our collective impact.
○ Coordinated efforts to distribute food, clothing, and other essential items to those in need.
Support Services:
○ Collaborative efforts to provide counseling, mentorship, and support services to individuals and families.
○ Joint initiatives to address specific community challenges such as homelessness, substance abuse, and mental health issues.
Benefits of Collaboration:
● Increased Reach: By partnering with your organization, we can extend our reach and serve more individuals and families in need.
● Shared Expertise: Combining our knowledge and expertise will enable us to develop more effective programs and services.
● Stronger Community: Working together will strengthen our community bonds and create a more supportive and resilient environment for everyone.
Conclusion: We are excited about the possibility of collaborating with your organization and believe that together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of those we serve. We would love to discuss this proposal further and explore how we can work together to achieve our common goals.
Thank you for considering this proposal. We look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with you.
Sincerely,
Harold Levingston
Awesome God New Life Ministries Awesome God Community Missions [(626)244-6309]