Monica Valdez

Monica has worked years with individuals and families helping them through difficult life challenges with positive results. She has a passion to help others utilize their strengths, gifts, and talents to promote optimum health and wellness for themselves and their families. Monica worked many years assisting people with the strengths-based approach and natural empathy to guide them in their healing process and life journey, building their self-efficacy and encouraging them to use their voice for fair and equitable treatment.

Monica decided that she needed to increase her capacity to help others, so she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She immediately attended the University of California, Bakersfield to then obtaining her master’s in social work. She began her work with the Dolores Huerta Foundation, as an intern in the Youth Program. Monica led healing circles, one-on-one counseling, provided resources, collaborated work with youth, teaching self-care/healthy coping skills. She participated in cultural actives, and civic engagement events, and held virtual wellness retreats with the youth, youth intern’s and youth organizers. This was a defining moment for her, as she quickly found herself called to her purpose, her heart was stirred to stand in solidarity with all constituents of the program for the youth and families.

Monica is committed to advocacy for the social justice, freedom and equitable opportunities to fulfill their goals and dreams in life. Monica is completely focused on the betterment of all youth and their families as their ally in peace, justice, freedom, cultural respect, and holistic wellness.