Archives: Team Members

Melodee Robinson

Melodee Robinson (she/her) has over 20 years’ experience working with children, youth, and families in clinical, academic, and recreational settings. She obtained a BA in the Practice of Art from UC Berkeley in 2009. She obtained a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy with a specialization in Art Therapy from Notre Dame De Namur University in 2015. Melodee is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and is currently practicing as a Registered Art Therapist and is working towards becoming board certified through the Art Therapy Credentials Board. She enjoys working with people from all ethnic and religious backgrounds as well as the LGBTQ+ population.

Erendira Samano

Eren Samano is a California native who has been living in the city of Richmond, CA for 25+ years. Eren has demonstrated resiliency and commitment to her community by striving to bridge the gap between the community and their available resources at WCCYSB.

Ixia Vallejo-Perez

Ixia has worked at Mercedes-Benz of Walnut Creek, where she was promoted from Receptionist to People & Culture. She organized employee events and new hire orientations in that position and assisted with onboarding. In addition, she conducted interviews, reviewed resumes, and provided administrative support to the Internet Sales Manager and the GM of the store. She is fully bilingual and currently working at completing additional studies at Berkeley City College. She was named after a flower, which is fitting since she has grown into an avid gardener within the last couple of years. She enjoys making floral arrangements and growing fresh herbs for daily cooking. She spends time running with her dogs, roller skating and playing in the Bay Area Adult Soccer League on Friday nights. Her dogs Charlie and Luna are her trusty adventure buddies, and accompany her to the park, river trips, and hikes throughout the East Bay.

Yenny Garcia

Yenny is a warm-hearted, visionary, and joyful leader from Richmond, CA. She is known for building bridges between people with diverse opinions, opening doors, and positively influencing people to advocate, share information, and discover their strengths and solutions.

She migrated from Guerrero, Mexico, to Richmond, CA., at the age of six. She embraces her ancestral roots by weaving social justice issues to create balance and equity as an indigenous woman.

Most recently, she was the Executive Assistant to the Executive Director at The Latina Center in Richmond. She helped bring high-level support to the center, focusing on developing a social media presence and elevating tech processes, system organization, and employee engagement initiatives. In addition to a strong background in hospitality management, she has been an active board member at different organizations in her city and served as the Chair in a mayoral-appointed commissioner role at the Richmond Community Police Review Commission (CPRC) since 2013. In addition, she is a member of Richmond Rotary, serving as Vice-Chair of the Community Services Team and representing CCYSB at the Kiwanis Club of Richmond. Finally, for over ten years, she has loved helping plan the annual Sisters in Solidarity International Womens Day Celebration in Richmond, CA. She is invested in bringing Latinx and female representation to as many underrepresented community spaces as possible.

Aside from being a fierce advocate and bridging people, she enjoys roller skating, dancing, and road trips, but her favorite is spending time cuddling with her two young daughters