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.

Isabel (Criss) joined The Link in January 2021 and serves families from Flamson Middle School (Paso Robles) and Lillian Larsen Middle School (San Miguel). She got her Accounting Degree in Mexico, but she found her real passion in the Education area, she was a Teacher in Mexico with experience in Kindergarten and Elementary Students. She saw that there was a way to help the little ones and their families. In 2005, she migrated to Paso Robles where she joined the Migrant Education Program, Region 18, where her duties included: outreach, recruitment, coordination of health and support services, and parent engagement activities. Cris is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Maria joined The Link in 2021. She has 14 years of experience as a bilingual preschool instructor with a background in physiology. Maria was born and raised in Guatemala and moved to Washington to teach and serve as a paraeducator. She also owned a bilingual preschool and volunteered for the ECAP program in Washington helping families with transportation and interpretation.

Marilu joined The Link in 2021 as part of the First 5 Partnership for Resilient Families project. She serves families with children ages 0 – 5 in Northern San Luis Obispo County.

Brenda joined The Link in 2021. Previously she worked for People’s Self-Help Housing as a Property Manager in the 5 Cities area and as a preschool teacher assistant for Community Action Partnership SLO County in 2016. Her passion for helping people get connected with community resources and navigate the school system inspired her career pivot. Brenda is bilingual and fluent in English and Spanish. She also currently serves as a parent leader English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) President in Grover Beach.

Erica Andrade joined The Link Family Resource Center in 2019 as a Family Advocate.  She works at Judkins and Mesa Middle School helping parents of Middle School students connect with resources such parent education, housing assistance, and basic needs such as food and utility bills.

Tonya DeRose joined The Link Family Resource Center in 2016 and has her associate’s degree in human services. A parent and active member of the North San Luis Obispo County community Tonya fosters relationships that build bridges between families and resources. As the Coordinator of SAFE in North County Tonya brings together diverse teams to support children and families when they’re most vulnerable. Tonya works in close collaboration with school staff to support student success through building protective factors, linking to parent education, and referring to partner agencies.

Since 2001, Lisa Fraser has distinguished herself through her vision to create and grow nine major programs, each designed to strengthen families and stop the cycle of child abuse. She serves as Board President of Alpha Pregnancy and Parenting Support and is a preeminent leader in SLO County’s human service field. Lisa played an integral role in the establishment of Martha’s Place, an assessment center for at-risk children.

While her legacy has had a tremendous impact on our SLO County community, Lisa’s talents and her commitment to families are recognized on a regional and state level. She provided coordination for the Coastal Tri-Counties Child Abuse Prevention Coalition, established the Regional Child Death Review Team for Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo counties and served on the California State Child Death Review Council. Lisa also participated in developing the California Family Support Standards, part of an ongoing initiative to define and promote quality in the field of family strengthening.

Lisa earned a B.S. Degree and a Single-Subject Teaching Credential at Cal Poly. She has also earned professional certifications including California Standards for Family Strengthening and Support certification, California Mandated Reporter of Suspected Child Abuse certification, non-Profit Development Officer Program certification, and a certificate in Facilitative Leadership-Interaction Institute for Social Change.

Lisa loves the “community spirit” of the Central Coast where she and Larry, her husband of 31 years, have raised two children, Brooke, and Dylan. She is an avid tennis player and active in social organizations and the arts.

Heather Leger is the Program Data Specialist for the Link Family Resource Center. She graduated from Cal Poly with a B.S. in Business Management, and has experience working in higher education administration.