Bessy Hoffman has worked in the education industry for over twenty-seven years. Starting in Los Angeles and later moving to Atascadero, she has specialized in bilingual and special education in both school districts. Bessy has received the Golden Oak award, which is the PTA’s highest honor for excellence in working with and providing for the welfare of children in our local community.

Bessy’s constant drive for the welfare and success of all the families that she works with also led to her being named Santa Rosa Academic Academy’s Employee of the Year in 2013. With her exceptional experience in community resources and social services, Bessy constantly strives to provide a secure future for all local and bilingual families. Bessy is also a Parent Educator and Coach and supports parents and caregivers across the Central Coast.

Magdalena was born and raised in the Central Valley. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from California State University, Monterey Bay. During her time as an undergraduate student, Magdalena spent a total of 1.5 years in Spain studying psychology, law, & occupational therapy. She also spent time volunteering as a tutor in Elementary and Middle Schools. Previously she worked as a Family Service Advocate with the Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo and as a behavioral technician with Center for Autism and Related Disorders. She is passionate about helping those in need and is excited to be serving the SLO county community. Magdalena currently serves as a family advocate for Templeton and Lewis Middle Schools.

Mayra is a graduate of University of California Santa Cruz. She worked with the Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo as a Family Service Advocate and as a Home Base educator. Mayra is passionate about serving the community and is a wonderful addition to The Link team.

Danilda Reyes serves as a Family Advocate for The Coast Unified School District in Cambria. She has experience working with children and youth in behavioral programs and in one on one classroom settings. She was a Teacher at The Dominican Republic with experience in Kindergarten students, Elementary and Middle School Students. Danilda is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Ann Hixon grew up on the Central Coast and is a graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She has previously enjoyed working at Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo for six years as a Family Service Advocate serving Morro Bay, Atascadero, and Cambria.

Fernando Alvarado is a graduate of Arroyo Grande High School and attended the K-12 system locally. He brings an area of expertise on local resources related to housing navigation, LGBT youth safe spaces, and undocu related outreach and navigation. Fernando is the proud older brother of an individual with NBIA and brings lived experience of navigating local resources as a household with a disabled member who is on DACA, as well as the lived experience of navigating local resources as a DACA student and an LGBT member. Fernando is inspired by seeing how the community has changed for the better over time and by having the opportunity now as an adult to address any further change still needed. He’s excited to tend to the community that has made him who he is and proud to align with the 5 Cities Homeless Coalition, 5 Cities Hope, and GALA of the Central Coast. Fernando is pursuing a degree in Public Health at Cuesta College and is working towards an Addiction Studies certification. In everything he does he encourages growth and compassion.

Carrie Collins serves as the Family Advocate Services Director for the Link Family Resource Center. For the past 8 years, Carrie was a Training and Consulting Specialist with Strategies 2.0 at Children’s Bureau. She provided training and consultation throughout the state to assist organizations and individuals in their work with family strengthening and prevention of child abuse and neglect. Carrie received her Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership from Ashford University, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. Her background includes over 20 years in the Head Start and Migrant Head Start program in Parent Involvement and Leadership, and Staff Career Development and Training. She served two years in AmeriCorps providing pesticide safety training to farm workers throughout the state of Utah. Carrie and her husband share the joy of being parents to 4 grown children, and grandparents to 3 grandsons and 2 granddaughters!