Candidate Statement
Throughout my career, I have dedicated myself to serving and improving the community by building relationships between businesses, social services, school districts, and our elected officials to establish programs that bring many families access to healthcare. I learned to accept this social responsibility from my parents, mentors and community leaders. My family emigrated from the Philippines to California seeking to make a better life for their children and believed that education leads to success.
My commitment to serving our community led me to serve as a Planning Commissioner in our City of Garden Grove for two years. My focus, then and now, is to ensure responsible growth in the city. Currently, I serve as an Associate Board Member for the Boys and Girls Club of Garden Grove, helping support youth programs in our city. I am actively involved with the Orange County Transportation Authority Citizens Advisory Board, where I help improve safety and access to public transportation to our residents. I have a strong interest in preserving our culture and history and serve on the Board of the Heritage Museum of Orange County.
I worked my way through UC Irvine to earn a degree in Political Science and Social Sciences. I was fortunate to receive a fellowship that helped me complete my Master’s Degree in Public Policy at UCLA. At the University, I participated in programs that helped shape my continuing advocacy to help others in my community.
I started my career with a non-profit that ran youth programs in Los Angeles and connected families to social services. I moved on to advocate for statewide healthcare access to children and families and the protection of community-based programs. I worked for a clinic in Garden Grove where I established school-based health centers. At my current job, I build relationships with community organizations and partners that expand access to healthcare to more people.
As your next City Council Member of District 4, I will work tirelessly to bring needed resources to help all members in our community. I believe my proven ability to foster collaboration and my commitment to public service can bring positive change in our neighborhoods. I understand that through building relationships and listening to the residents’ needs, we can come up with both innovative and practical solutions to our community’s increasingly complex problems.
