Laura Crotty

Through a connection she made working as a TOLA fellow on the Joyce for Mayor campaign, Laura is now working as a Weatherization Invoice Specialist with Spectrum Community Services in Hayward.  Spectrum is a private non-profit that provides a wide range of services, so community members can live sustainably and independently throughout the East Bay.  The Weatherization department helps to reduce our impact on the environment through energy-efficient homes.  

Stephanie DeHerrera

As a TOLA fellow working on Don Perata's mayoral campaign, Stephanie helped to organize

members of a non-profit called the Oakland Builders Alliance. Since the campaign she has accepted the position as the group's Organizing Director and now works with OBA members to drive Oakland's economic revitalization by promoting smart growth policies and urban infill in the city. Using valuable skills gained from TOLA, she also works to raise funds for the group as well as to organize events for its members.

Also, since TOLA, Stephanie participates in a legal internship that focuses on Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in California, and aids in organizing for patient's rights.

 

Christian Garcia

Following his TOLA Fellowship experience, Christian was offered a position with The Unity Council as a Youth Service Coordinator. The Unity Council is a non-profit in the Fruitvale community that provides direct services to families. As a youth service coordinator Christian work directly with youth ages 8-25, overseeing and implementing programming like the Girls Sports Program, Youth Basketball League and College Exploration Opportunities (CEO) - a college bound program that works with students and their families from the 7^th grade, to their senior year of high school.

Christian experience as a youth service coordinator is a fulfillment unlike any other. He has the ability to come into a student’s life and become a role model who provides them with emotional and academic support. Furthermore, he is able to cultivate the leadership qualities of the youth (a practice that Christian picked up in TOLA) as they cultivate the leadership qualities of future community leaders.

 

Amy Johnson

Amy has returned to her roots to utilize the lessons she learned in TOLA, organizing the local firefighter's union and working on Don Perata’s mayoral campaign. Amy is now the Field Director for a former colleague of her’s, Sherrie Cohen, who is running for the Philadelphia City Council’s At-Large seat. Sherrie Cohen, an attorney and social activist, if elected would be the City’s first openly gay councilmember. Learn more about Sherrie here: http://www.cohen4council.com

Gabe Mello

Post-TOLA, Gabe has worked with the community (and fellow TOLA member Laura) to gain a voice for positive development in Oakland, specifically with Safeway’s proposal to build a new Shopping Center at 51st and Broadway.  The design was up for review with the Design Review Committee in late January, where they approved the plans 2-1.  Gabe and Laura were successful in gathering and mobilizing a true representation of the community with many attendees speaking in support of the project at the meeting. 

Since the Design Review Committee, Gabe has continued to educate and communicate to the community the benefits of the revitalization of the 51st and Broadway Shopping Center. This project was stalled until Gabe and Laura began mobilizing the community in support of smart, economic development.