Faviola Fernandez

Host Agency: Self-Help Enterprises (San Joaquin County)

University:  California State University Fresno 

            Faviola Fernandez was born in Zamora, Michoacan, Mexico and was raised in the city of strawberries, Watsonville, California.  She is the youngest of three siblings and the only born outside of the United States. Both of her parents are farm workers and they have instilled higher education as the main objective in Faviola’s life. She is the first in her family to go to college and is currently attending California State University Fresno pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Social Work with a minor in Health Science. She then plans to attend California State University, San Jose to obtain a Master of Arts (M.A.) in the same field.

            Faviola’s activism includes her previous involvement with the Latino Issues Forum; a non-profit organization addressing the needs and concerns of the Latino community in the Central Valley, including water and air quality, and farm-worker conditions. She has also been a part of and taken full advantage of the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) at Fresno State for the past two years, which is a federal program designed to provide supportive and retention services to university students from migrant and seasonal farmworker families.  Through this program, Faviola has learned to prioritize, manage time efficiently, and build on her leadership skills.

            Faviola’s newest endeavor is working as a Housing Intern for Self-Help Enterprises, a non-profit organization with a mission “to improve the lives of low-income residents in the San Joaquin Valley through housing and related programs and services.” This internship is a major stepping stone for Faviola’s career and personal goals as it will provide the opportunity to serve low income communities in need. Faviola’s administrative and technical work at her host agency will play a key role in accessing funding and making housing programs viable for low income families and individuals seeking these opportunities.  She is currently working on a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application for the city of Woodlake. 

Damandeep Gill (Harry)

Host Agency: Mid-Peninsula Housing Coalition (Bay Area and Central Coast)

University:  University of California, Berkeley

            Harry Gill was born in Calcutta, India and emigrated to the United States with his family. Both of his parents were low skilled immigrants with little English speaking skills who resided in Roseville, CA. Harry attended middle and high school in Sacramento, CA. Due to his economic hardships he started working full-time while still in high school, which instilled in him a strong commitment to further advance in life through higher education.

            After graduating from high school, Harry enrolled at the local American River Community College (ARC) to complete his lower division requirements. While at ARC he participated in the Model United Nations conference in an effort to further international peace and security by addressing global issues in a collaborative environment. He was also a member of the Amnesty International club to further the voices of the unheard living in poverty across the globe. Harry achieved the highest academic Honors at ARC and became a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

            His interest in politics took a deep hold while he was interning at the State of California, Governors Office. The different issues and views which were addressed while at his internship led to a greater appreciation for policy and how it affects people in daily realms. In 2008 he transferred to the University of California, Berkeley to pursue a B.A. in Political Science. While at Berkeley, he has been a member of the Sikh Students Association focusing on educating the campus community about Sikhs and their cultural/religious history while raising funds for campus related events. A short stint at the Family Violence Law Center (FVLC) in Oakland opened his eyes to violence committed against women in impoverished communities and its horrendous effects on children. On an academic level he has been a research assistant in the Political Science Department on issues relating to religious violence in India, doing analysis from data collected under the supervision of the Director, Institute of International Studies. 

            Currently, Harry is participating in the California Coalition for Rural Housing Internship Program as a Development Intern at Mid-Peninsula Housing Coalition (MPHC). MPHC has a long history of serving low-income families by providing them safe and affordable multi-family housing in the Bay Area Peninsula and the Central Coast. It is an industry leader known for its green initiatives and completing arduous projects with great efficiency.  Harry is part of a development team which consists of 10 highly talented Project Managers and a Vice President, who hopes to change the culture of the entire industry through intelligent design and measured risk taking. As an intern, Harry has been working on several affordable housing financial applications, including a 9% Tax Credits application and HOME application.

            Harry will be graduating from Berkeley in May 2010, and plans on pursuing graduate degrees in Public Policy and Law with a goal of having a long lasting impact on communities around the globe.

Daniel Gutierrez

Host Agency: Sacramento Mutual Housing Association (Greater Sacramento Area)

University: University of California, Davis

         Daniel Gutierrez was born in Mission Hills, CA. His father worked in construction his whole life and his mother worked for an insurance company for most of her life, until recently switching to childcare for an elementary school. Both of his parents grew up in the greater Los Angeles area of Sunland-Tujunga. He is the first of both sides of his family to attend a four year university and is approaching his fourth year at the University of California, Davis. Daniel is in pursuit of a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Economics and in Sociology-Organizational Studies.

         Daniel like his fellow intern participants 2009-2010, was recently accepted to the CCRH Internship Program and placed at Sacramento Mutual Housing Association. He first became interested in the field of Community Development after taking his first Community and Regional Development (CRD) course in the summer of 2008.  Through this internship opportunity at SMHA, he plans to learn the stages of housing development, and grasp the knowledge and skills necessary to be a leader in the field.  During the first two weeks of his internship experience, he has helped review construction loan terms for a rehabilitation project. He has also conducted research and draft a survey to plan for the relocation of the residents currently living in this rehabilitation project. He has also been given the opportunity to research and investigate some potential site acquisitions.  His goals are to take every opportunity given to him at expanding his skills and knowledge of affordable housing and community development. His plans and hopes for after the internship program are to stay in the field of housing development or related community development area, and obtain a position that challenges his abilities while at the same time finds rewarding and meaningful.  His goals are not to take a job just for money, but to find a job that allows him to use his skills and knowledge to help make a difference in people’s lives and in the community.  This internship will truly give him the opportunity and skills needed to achieve his goals for the future.

Amarprit Jhujj

Host Agency: Community Housing Opportunities Corp. (Davis, Yolo County)

University:  University of California, Davis

            Amarprit Jhujj grew up with her family in the Central Valley. She knows first hand how hard work and financial discipline can produce a better life. This has instilled a profound work ethic within her and led her to always try and achieve the very best of her potential. Education was always promoted to her since a child as an avenue to a better life. This led her to be valedictorian and have one of the top GPA’s at her junior college.  She now attends the University of California, Davis and is attaining a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Community and Regional Development. She wants to pursue a post graduate degree and have a career in the non-profit sector.

            Amarprit was selected to the California Coalition of Rural Housing Internship Program and placed at Community Housing Opportunity Corporation (CHOC), a nonprofit organization in Davis, CA. CHOC develops, manages and provides resident services to low-income populations.  CHOC’s mission to improve the quality of life of people in needs aligns with Amarprit’s values. She is currently working on responding to a Request for Development Proposals from Placer County Redevelopment Agency; and in securing a pre-development loan for a property in Stockton, CA.

Michelle Kim

Host Agency: Community Housing Works (San Diego County)

University: University of California, San Diego

         Michelle Kim was born in San Jose, CA.  Her parents emigrated from South Korea to California in hopes to find better economic opportunities.  Due to such efforts, Michelle is privileged to pursue a higher education.  She is currently attending the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and is seeking to obtain a Bachelors of Arts (B.A.) in Urban Studies and Planning and a B.A. in Ethnic Studies. 

         Upon entering college and starting her undergraduate career, she assumed that she would find herself majoring in one of the sciences.  However, after taking one particular class, Ethnic Studies 1A: Population Histories of the United States, she soon revitalized her passion to help others.  This class revealed many untold histories of marginalized populations within the United States, who suffered and even continue to suffer from inequalities and injustices as a result of governmental and societal practices.  Upon discovering a new area of study, Michelle soon realized her passion for social justice and the possibility that her passion could be materialized through the combination of the two majors.  Thus, through her personal and academic interests, Michelle has been able to gain a better understanding of the existence and persistence of social and economic inequalities amongst marginalized populations in the United States.  As a result, Michelle looks at the space of an affordable, equitable, and healthy home as a means for marginalized populations to combat structural inequalities and have the opportunity to be able to experience social mobility. 

         Due to such interests and growing knowledge, Michelle has been actively involved in student organizations and events on campus, many of which have been to promote social justice and equality within the larger San Diego community.  Upon completion of her undergraduate career, Michelle hopes to continue a career in affordable and nonprofit housing for low-income and minority communities.  Though it is not yet clearly defined as to when, Michelle also hopes to pursue a higher degree by attending graduate school to obtain a Master’s in Planning with a specialization in Housing and Community Development.  With more employment experience and a higher degree, Michelle hopes to be able to further promote equality within disenfranchised communities through the betterment of their physical and social spaces. 

Through the CCRH Internship Program, Michelle is currently working as the Housing and Real Estate Development Intern at San Diego’s Community HousingWorks (CHW).  CHW is a non-profit affordable housing organization located in City Heights of San Diego County, whose mission is “to help people and neighborhoods move up in the world by providing a range of housing options along with training and support”.  CHW is a leader in San Diego’s affordable multi-family community and has a successful history not only through developing new affordable rental apartments, but also acquiring and rehabilitating apartment units within San Diego County.  At CHW, Michelle is currently working on the final phases of the rehabilitation of Turnagain Arms Apartments in Fallbrook, a community of northern San Diego County.  The rehabilitation of this apartment community is scheduled for completion in August 2009.  In addition, she will be involved in several other affordable housing development projects, such as Oak Knoll Villas located in Poway.  Through this internship, Michelle hopes to not only gain more knowledge and experience in regards to the development of affordable housing, but she also hopes that she will be able contribute to the development of affordable housing in the greater San Diego community for underserved populations.

Julio Lamas

Host Agency: Mercy Housing California (West Sacramento)

University:  University of California, California

         Julio Lamas was born in San Jose, California and lived in the same city for eighteen years with his four siblings, two brothers and two sisters. His parents emigrated from Mexico and have many years of experience as farm-workers and in more recent years as construction entrepreneurs. Julio currently attends the University of California, Davis (UCD) and next year he will be the first person in his family to graduate from college with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Community and Regional Development, with an emphasis in Social Services.

         Julio’s passion in working towards social justice has driven his involvement on and off-campus throughout his university experience. His first year, he participated in the ACORN program which connects college students with low-income, minority youth in impoverished communities and provides homework assistance, recreational activities, and mentor figures. His second year, he participated in a similar program, Davis Bridge, which targets Chicano/Latino youth in the city of Davis, and provides bi-lingual educational resources. His third year, Julio became involved with a high-school counseling center working with “at-risk” students, labeled as such for dropping out of school. In his fourth year, Julio traveled to Puntarenas, Costa Rica and interned at a boy’s orphanage and a community foster home through a psycho-social program. Julio has also served as a mentor and counselor to minority, first generation college students at UCD through the Peer Advising Counselor program and the Yuk’al Kiyum Mentorship program, which have given him the opportunity to build long lasting friendships as well. One of the organizations he has been consistently active on thorough his college years is Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity (NAK), Inc., a Latino-based Fraternity, where he has held the positions of Historian, Pledge Educator, and President. NAK has strengthened his ties and involvement within the UC Davis campus community and surrounding communities in Woodland, Sacramento, Dixon, and Davis through community service and cultural events.

         Julio’s interest in the CCRH Internship Program comes from his own personal and previous work experience in working alongside communities experiencing difficulties accessing opportunities.  As a CCRH Intern, he has been placed at Mercy Housing California in West Sacramento, CA.  He is currently assisting project developers in completing financial applications for affordable housing development projects in Shingle Springs and Auburn. He will also become a temporary member of the Mercy Housing ECO committee which aims to implement green building methods to new developments. As member of this committee, Julio is in the process of proposing a recycling program in five rental developments which would then be taken into account in the planning process for three new developments. Another of his current projects involves examining land assessment values in Sacramento, Yuba, and Solano counties. After his internship year, Julio intends to stay in the non-profit sector and gain more experience working in affordable housing development. A graduate degree in City Planning from the University of California, Berkeley is in his future professional development goals. He plans to continue his work in affordable housing development in the US and possibly abroad as a participant of the Peace Corps Program.

Korin Vallejo

Host Agency: Stanislaus County Housing Authority (Stanislaus County)

University: California State University, Stanislaus

            Korin Vallejo was born in Sacramento, CA and lived there until she started college.  Early in life her parents instilled in her a sense of service and commitment to helping others.  She was involved in community service from a young age, including working at food banks and tutoring younger children.  Her love for learning, lead her to continue her education at CSU Stanislaus where she is majoring in Sociology, with a minor study in Speech Communication.  Korin is the first in her family to attend college, and is currently in the process of finishing her senior year.  She is also involved in the campus student government, where she holds the Senator of Humanities and Social Sciences position, as well as currently being the President of her sorority, Delta Phi Gamma.  With her Senator position she hopes to work with fellow college students in lobbying state legislature against budget cuts to the CSU school system, and with her sorority she works with low-income high school students in receiving access to formal wear for school events through “Project Cinderella”.  After graduation, Korin plans on attending graduate school, and continuing her study of Sociology with a concentration on community development and housing in order to serve others in her community.

            In June 2009 Korin began her internship with the California Coalition for Rural Housing and is working at the Stanislaus County Housing Authority (SCHA) in Modesto, CA.   SCHA is a public agency that works to meet the housing needs of those in the county.  Korin works in the Administration Department, which administers programs such as the Home Repair Program, which provides low-income families the opportunity to repair damage to their home with a low interest deferred city/county loan or grant.  This program is most recently working on the construction of a new home for a client, which will entail demolition of the old damaged home and a complete rebuild of the new. The department is also working on the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) for the Stanislaus County, in which the Housing Authority works to make housing purchases available with down payment assistance through a First Time Buyers Program.