CLI 2023-24 Cohorts
KING AND PIERCE COUNTIES
Austin Candanoza brings a lifetime of experience in the competitive sports world and community service. A former collegiate (and now professional athlete), he emphasizes the power of sports and service to engage with the youth of our community. More specifically, he utilizes his athletic background to create an environment here to promote a healthy lifestyle, a challenging (and productive) environment, and assisting our youth to achieve their aspirations through fitness training and long-term planning. He is a huge proponent of collaborating with other organizations within the Vancouver community.
For the past decade Austin been engaged in providing mentorship/resources to the Latino and African American communities in South Los Angeles. These types of services included; athletic and self-defense training, exposing inner city youth to identifiable figures who are successful within their very community, and collaborating with corporate entities to provide resources to youth (athletic gear, proper nutrition, access to job opportunities).
Given all my experience working with youth in Los Angeles, now returning to Vancouver he has created a non-profit gym for underserved youth. His gym/after school program has become an essential part of the community, the demographic he serves is incredibly unrepresented in our city. To be specific, his program serves Latino, African American, and the Pacific Islander communities. In addition to offering athletic programs, his organization provides housing and employment services, vocational training, and resource brokerage. All our services are person centered and client driven for the various BIPOC communities we serve.
Josh Butler is a second-generation Filipino-American that hails from the Pacific Northwest. He graduated from Central Washington University with a double Bachelor’s in sociology and political science in 2019. He has since been employed to help foster positive outcomes for disenfranchised youth on both a micro and macro level. Josh’s passion and work are driven by his belief that anyone can succeed if given the proper infrastructure at all levels to thrive. With an emphasis on social and political change, his unwavering belief in this ideal continues to push him forward.
He is currently employed as the Youth Outcomes Manager for Janus Youth Programs. Josh’s primary role is recruitment and facilitation for Youth-By Name List (YBNL) Case Conferencing. YBNL Case Conferencing is a recurring, problem-solving meeting, bringing key members across Clark County together in collaboration to remove barriers and access stable housing for youth and young adults (12-24) faster.
Outside of Josh’s passion for social work, he enjoys exploring his interest in the arts, particularly film and music. Josh is an avid fan of David Lynch and his work, citing him as his primary influence to start writing more actively.
Leticia Lares (she/her), is a Mexican-American born in California and moved to Washington in 1992. She is a Loan Readiness Advisor for at a Community Development Financial Institution that works with the underserved business owners including the BIPOC, Hispanic, immigrant, women and veteran communities and business owners.
She enjoys helping small business owners who have traditionally been underserved without structural support like outside financing or mentoring. She holds a Bachelors in Business Administration with 12+ years experience in accounting and finance.
Leticia has volunteered as Latino Business Advisory Council with the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce, Board of Director at Centro Cultural of Washington County, and Executive Board Member at The League of United Latin American Citizens.
She believes in sustainable community development through improved economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection. She plans to be in a position where she will lay long-term groundwork to achieve solutions based on grassroots needs.
In her free time, she likes spending time outdoors, listening to podcasts, meeting new people and trying new foods.
Paul Porter was born In Portland, Oregon and has lived in the Pacific Northwest his entire life. He is a strong advocate for social justice and racial equity. Throughout the past decade he has held several positions throughout the education system. Such as Evergreen high school At-Risk-Advocate, Black Student Union Advisor, Diversity, Equity, and inclusion committee member, Evergreen High school basketball coach, and Clark College I.T. Technician. Paul’s academic background, and experience with the justice system combined with his professional experience in community engagement, has equipped him with a deep understanding of the complexities of systemic racism.
At the age of 19, he served 3 years of a 5-year sentence. Upon his reintegration into society, he has dedicated his life to his community while being a voice for the voiceless. Throughout his years he has had the opportunity to work closely with groups from diverse backgrounds, and develop a strong skill set in community outreach and program development. Playing an active role in campaigning for policies that promote equity and justice for marginalized communities. He is deeply committed to addressing the issues of racial inequality and injustice. Believing that it is vital to work towards a more equitable and inclusive society.
In his free time, he enjoys spending time with family, taking advantage of the Pacific Northwest and its beautiful hikes, while looking forward to every taco Tuesday.
Phung Ojala was born in a small village of southern Vietnam where she learned the harmony of a homogeneous community that is immersed in their cultural history. In 2007, she moved to the United States in the Pacific Northwest and got married. After settling in Vancouver, Washington, she now considers this as her second homeland. In 2016, she achieved an Associate Degree in Business.
As an immigrant, Phung was challenged by adapting to a new environment and a culture that is so different than what she grew up in. She also became aware of many Vietnamese who were born in an America and did not have a connection to their family native traditions and lacked the Vietnamese cultural awareness. In her own life, she struggled to find a good balance between the American and Vietnamese cultures. Language, she learned, was key in tying together the cultural origin through communication – especially with young children.
Phung found her passion in serving the Vietnamese community youth to learn their family language and empowering their culture heritage. She then volunteered as a board member with the Vietnamese Community in Clark County in 2022. Currently, Phung works as community outreach and engagement staff for Youth and Family Link. In addition, she is also a volunteer instructor teaching Vietnamese language at the Viet Innovation Club (VIC). At VIC, she believes by teaching youth their native language it will help inspire them to keep their culture alive. Phung’s goal is to help Vietnamese community become more culturally aware and not to forget their origin.
Meet Rose Mendoza, a dynamic force driving transformative change in her role as the Program Manager for Latino Leadership Northwest. With a background in public health, fueled by an unwavering commitment to community well-being, her passion for advancing Latino health equity and cultivating social connections is deeply ingrained, culminating in her esteemed nomination for the 2022 Iris Award, a testament to her significant contributions throughout Clark County, Washington. Beyond her professional achievements, Rose has newly taken on the role of Chair of the Central Vancouver Coalition, further solidifying her position as a community advocate, and influencing positive development.
While professionally driven, Rose also displays a zest for adventure, often embarking on expeditions to seek out the legendary bigfoot – a charming reflection of her dedication to exploration and empowerment.
Ruby Sparks is a bilingual Vietnamese-English speaker. As an enthusiastic Community-Based Worker (CBW) for Youth & Family Link/SWACH, she is dedicated to bringing positive change by understanding the specific needs, and challenges impacting our community, so we can work together to create a better future.
As a Vietnamese immigrant, she serves as a bridge between cultures. With a friendly, adaptable nature and a deep appreciation for diversity, she warmly welcomes new experiences and builds strong connections. She strives to enhance the lives of individuals and families while promoting public health.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she helped the Vietnamese and other communities access vaccines. This led her to pursue a Community-Based Worker position, actively participating in local events and collaborating with organizations to provide essential services including vaccines, health screenings, and more. Her CNA license enables her to support the community's healthcare needs.
As an interpreter, she bridges language barriers, facilitating communication and equitable access to resources. Beyond healthcare, she enjoys volunteering her time teaching Vietnamese, making floral arrangements, and serving as a balloon artist and decorator at events.
Her passion for dance has led her to volunteer with both Mexican and Vietnamese dance groups, attending performances and celebrations. Through her diverse skills and passion for bringing people together, she aims to build bridges, connections and empower others, guided by her slogan: From Arts to Aid, Bridging Cultures, Weaving Connections of Support.
Sherry Pablo (she/her/hers) is a second-generation Filipina-American born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. Sherry lost her sight as a young adult due to an unexpected illness and her lived experiences navigating healthcare systems and spaces motivates her work on improving the accessibility and experience of healthcare for the disabled community. She believes people with disabilities are missing in leadership roles in many areas of society due to misconceptions, low expectations, and lack of opportunity. Sherry promotes the inclusion of universal design principles and lens on accessibility in program planning and implementation so the disabled can participate equally in the community.
Sherry earned a master's degree in public health from UC Berkeley and spent her summer practicum as an administrative intern at PeaceHealth in Vancouver within its medical group. She has lived in Vancouver since July 2022 when she began an administrative fellowship at PeaceHealth and is now in her second year with the Quality and Patient Safety team under Clinical Excellence. Prior to this she served multiple terms with AmeriCorps first as a health educator in school-based health at a network of federally qualified health centers, and then as VISTA Lead working on a statewide coalition-based program addressing the opioid epidemic. She wants to continue to grow her leadership skills with CLI and build connections that continue to open doors and opportunities for disabled and other marginalized groups.
Outside of work Sherry loves to read, listen to live music and concerts, travel, and explore the PNW. She is a member of the local Clark County chapter of the National Federation of the Blind and participates in recreational outings in the Portland Vancouver area with the Northwest Association for Blind Athletes.
Tanika Siscoe (she/her) is an activist, and devoted advocate, passionately dedicated to advancing racial and social justice. Tanika's advocacy journey began at a young age, consistently standing against inequity and advocating for historically marginalized communities. Her unwavering commitment is evident in her efforts to cultivate communities marked by equity and free from violence. With a keen understanding that real change requires action, she has consistently translated her beliefs into tangible initiatives that drive transformation.
She holds a Master's of Science degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice, with a focused concentration on Race and Gender Inequalities. Her graduate field project, titled "Youth and Measure 11 in Oregon: The Impacts of Mandatory Minimums," delved into the intersection between the justice system, youth, and the far-reaching consequences of mandatory minimum sentences. Her research has contributed to tangible policy change, notably impacting Oregon's justice system's treatment of youth. She is currently the Director of Prevention at YWCA Clark County. At the core of her beliefs is an unshakable conviction that domestic violence can be prevented. With a seven-year history advocating for and collaborating with youth, her commitment transcends mere advocacy; it extends into the realms of community building and public policy transformation.
Tanika's passion for community-driven change has led her to join the Community Leadership Institute. She is eager to learn from her peers, foster new relationships, and contribute her perspective as a young Black woman striving to center racial equity in her community. In her free time, Tanika enjoys laying in the sun, gardening, cozy gaming, and attending as many concerts as possible.
Tasha Slater (she/her) is passionate about social change and community collaboration, with a strong focus on housing and youth initiatives. Growing up biracial, Mexican and white, Tasha's background has fueled a mission to tackle inequality and celebrate diversity. Coming from a family of migrant workers, she knows firsthand the challenges faced by marginalized communities.
Tasha has a BA from the University of Puget Sound, with a double major in Psychology and Business. Born and raised in Yakima, WA, her roots in Washington have anchored her commitment to making a difference in our community. Over the past decade in Vancouver, Tasha has been actively involved with various nonprofits, dedicating her efforts to youth development and housing initiatives.
Recently, Tasha has embarked on a new journey, contributing her previous experience in nonprofit work to the City of Vancouver as an Associate Housing Project Coordinator. In her free time, Tasha enjoys spending quality time with her family and two dogs.
Vicky Salas was born to Mexican immigrant parents. During one of her visits to Mexico, she learned about her Purepecha heritage and is proud of her ethnicity. As a Vancouver native, she witnessed Vancouver develop into its current metropolitan state. Vicky values environment conservation, affordable housing, and social justice. She was raised to serve and improve the community in any capacity.
Vicky opposed injustices from a young age and continues to do so. While Vicky was pursuing her A.A. at Clark College, she represented the voice of BIPOC students on many committees. Afterward, she attended WSUV for a year, during that time she partook in the student government. When she attended the University of Washington, Vicky was a member of various student organizations including MEChA (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán). In addition, she was a proxy for the Latinx Student Commissioner in the University of Washington Student Senate.
Vicky is the Secretary of the Vancouver Metro LULAC Council and serves on multiple committees. When she has downtime, she likes to sing, care for her plants, and play with her cat.