"Vallejo Project gave me a safe space"
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- Wellness program participant
Who we are
Vallejo Project is a community of volunteers improving student outcomes with peer learning objectives, connecting youth to multi-generational enrichment and development pathways in communication, trades and wellness.
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It is our express intention to break the cycle of violence and economic hardship faced by the students, so that parents may raise their children in a manner that will ensure that they thrive.
Vision
Empowered youth
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engaged in service
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realizing their potential.
Mission
Developing the leadership of youth and young adults in preparation for independence and autonomy.
Sydney
Youth Leader
Sydney Allen is a 19 year old Vallejo Project youth leader. She is an aspiring Filmmaker and is committed to living a sustainable and ethical lifestyle.
Fernando
Youth Leader
Fernando Prado is a 19 year old Vallejo project youth leader. He has a passion for carpentry and building.
Donavon
Youth Leader
Donavon is a youth leader with a passion for sustainability and makes every effort to be a good stuard of our envirmonment
Dr. Mylene Rucker
Founding Director
Dr. Rucker is a licensed physician who has dedicated her life to underserved communities and spent 20 years as a country doctor in Visalia.
Xochitl Vargas
Youth Leader
Adjoa McDonald
Founder | Chair
Adjoa is a long-time Vallejo resident and has been an urban educator for thirteen years. She is a credentialed administrator and has a Masters in Educational Leadership.
Richard Abbot
Richard is a local business owner who leads with a passion for community, restorative ecology, and economic development. He leads our music department investing in a restorative future for the youth of Vallejo and America.
I enjoy coaching and mentoring future leaders and entrepreneurs.
Director
Paul Kirsch
Director
Paul is a Vallejo Teacher who has a background in filmmaking, gardening and model boat repair. He has participated in grant writing and reading for many years. Paul is a responsible Vallejo resident who is committed to making a difference.
Veronica Boe
Senior Director of Sponsored Programs and Extended Learning at Cal State University Maritime Academy
Business Advisor
Kweku Middleton
Kweku is project lead for construction at the Sac Street Garden and resident trades expert for training and youth experience. He is passionate about trades and a point of contact for careers in the industry.
Carpentry Advisor
Dr. Peryna Washington-Dillard
Dr. Washington-Dillard worked in retail and hospital pharmacy all over the state of California. Dr. Washington- Dillard is a recent transplant to Vallejo from Fresno, California. She has a passion for community health.
Advisor
Renay Conlin
Art Advisor
Executive Director of the Vallejo Community Arts Foundation
Graduated with honors in opera performance winning the Peabody Opera Award
Ja'Leah Smith
Youth Leader
Ja'leah brings over five years of dedicated experience serving at-risk youth, demonstrating a passion cultivated since a young age. Her extensive journey involves collaborating with organizations and initiatives, allowing her to understand the unique needs of these communities and refine communication and problem-solving skills. Committed to empowering at-risk youth, Ja'leah is driven to inspire and create a brighter future for every young person she serves.
Rich Souza
Dedicated, multilingual business consultant and educator
Volunteer
John Edwards
Dr. John is an experienced thought leader in the public education sector. John has worked with public education policies in statewide DEI initiatives, and with local, state, and federal legislators on supporting public education initiatives.
Executive Director
Gail Robles
Gail Robles is a Vallejo native and special education teacher who has worked in a variety of school models, including the public and non-public school sectors, as well as charter and private schools.
Special Education Advisor
Erik Adigard
Erik is a communication designer and educator in the San Francisco Bay Area. He cofounded M-A-D, a Berkeley-based design firm, and is a former design contributor to Wired magazine.
Founding Advisor
Jon Riley
Jon is a Vallejo native. Jon has dedicated his life to equity in the labor unions of Solano and Napa counties.
Compliance Advisor
Hugh Kinniburgh
Hugh is a filmmaker, musician , artist , technician and local business owner. Co founder of RCTV Studios, a Bay Area production company and supporter of community based organizations.
Advisor
Alex Lindsey
Alex Ben Lindsay is an American computer graphics and video production specialist. He is also the founder of the Pixel Corps and dvGarage which were both companies involved with computer graphics
Advisor
Dr. Thomas Snyder
Dr. Snyder is a retired urologist and naval officer. In retirement, he works on a history of the first Navy’s first west coast hospital, on Mare Island.
Historical Advisor
Jocylen Merkel
Jocelyn has 20+ years of experience managing marketing/advertising projects - and is excited to showcase work by Vallejo Project and our community partners
Director
Carlton Gill
Executive/Entrepreneur/Devops /Emerging Technology Architect · Experience · Volunteer Experience · Financial Licenses & Certifications.
Cheif Financial Advisor
Fred Lucero
Fred manages the nationally recognized RichmondBUILD Academy and Richmond YouthBUILD pre-apprentice job training program with over 1,200 job placements.
Advisor