Biographies

2007 TCWF Sabbatical Honoree Bios

Fred Bauermeister

Executive Director, Free Clinic of Simi Valley

Free Clinic of Simi Valley was founded in 1971, and at 22 years of age, Fred Bauermeister was one of its first volunteers and became its founding executive director. Today the clinic offers medical and dental care, individual and family counseling and legal assistance – all through professional volunteers. Bauermeister received an AA degree in general education from Moorpark College. He serves on the boards of directors of Free Clinics of the Western Region and the Simi Valley Community Foundation. He is a member of the City of Simi Valley’s Task Force for the Homeless and serves on the board of advisors of the Ventura County Community Foundation.
 

Maria Costello

Executive Director, Crossroads Foundation

In December 1990, Maria Costello walked through the doors of the Crossroads Foundation seeking help for her alcohol and drug addiction, and refuge from living in a violent environment. As she healed, she assumed a variety of practical tasks at the recovery home, enrolled in college, and was hired as a resident manager. She was promoted to many different jobs within the agency, becoming its executive director in 1997. Costello graduated from the behavioral science program at San Diego City College and is a certified addictions treatment specialist. She is a member of the California Association of Alcohol and Drug Educators and participates in the California Association of Addiction Recovery Resources and the National Association of Forensic Studies on matters regarding domestic violence.

Rufino Dominguez

Executive Director, Centro Binacional Para el Desarrollo Indígena Oaxaqueño

Rufino Dominguez founded Centro Binacional Para el Desarrollo Indígena Oaxaqueño (Centro Binacional) in 1993 after several years of involvement in student and community organizing in Oaxaca, Mexico, and advocacy and community work in California. The organization provides a variety of health-related programs to indigenous Mexicans residing in California, including health education on topics including breast and cervical cancer, domestic violence, prenatal care and nutrition, as well as helping Oaxaqueños access health systems. Under Dominguez’ leadership, Centro Binacional has also pioneered programming using promotoras to provide indigenous translation services in health settings.

April Lea Go Forth

Director, Resources for Indian Student Education, Inc.

April Lea Go Forth is the founder and executive director of Resources for Indian Student Education, Inc. (RISE), which plays a critical role in addressing academic, cultural and health barriers for Native youth in an eight-county rural region of Northern California. RISE provides a variety of health programs for youth and women, including pregnancy and STD/HIV prevention, reduction of tobacco use, alcohol intervention and mental health referrals. Go Forth received a master’s degree from California State University, Chico and earned a doctorate in education from the University of Nevada, Reno. She continues her studies, pursuing a degree in child development at Lassen Community College. She is a member of the California Indian Education Association and has twice been honored as California Distinguished Indian Educator.

Marsha Krouse-Taylor

Executive Director, Casa de Esperanza, Inc.

In 1979, two years after it was incorporated, Marsha Krouse-Taylor came to Casa de Esperanza as the children’s program director. Six years later, she was named executive director and rapidly expanded the organization’s budget and service capacity. Today Casa de Esperanza serves more than 1,000 women and children in three rural counties in northern California, offering a multitude of prevention and intervention services addressing domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse. Krouse-Taylor received an AA degree in administration of justice and corrections counseling and is a certified advocate and trainer in several programs related to domestic violence and sexual assault. She was a founding member of California’s Child Assault Prevention Network, serves on numerous local and regional steering committees, and has provided testimony before legislative committees in Sacramento.

Penny Newman

Executive Director, Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice

In 1993, Penny Newman founded the Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice (the Center) in response to personal and community impacts resulting from exposure to toxic pollution. During her tenure, the Center has successfully mobilized community members, influenced the creation of new government departments addressing toxic substances, and has prevented dozens of unsafe facilities from being sited in low-income communities in the Inland Empire. Newman received an AA degree from Riverside City College and a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Fullerton. She is the author of books and articles on organizing and pollution issues, has testified before Congress, and has received numerous awards and commendations for her work in community organizing and environmental protection.

William “Blinky” Rodriguez

Executive Director, Communities In Schools of San Fernando Valley, Inc.

William “Blinky” Rodriguez founded Communities in Schools of San Fernando Valley (CIS) in 1994. The organization is a local affiliate of the national Communities in Schools, a leading organization that helps youth to succeed in school and prepare for life. After losing his 16-year-old son to a drive-by shooting, CIS became his life’s mission – building an integrated approach to reducing gang violence and helping gang-involved youth transform their lives. Rodriguez, a native of Los Angeles, was a world-champion kickboxer. Previously, he served as a commissioner on the City of Los Angeles Commission for Children, Youth and their Families. He is the recipient of many awards recognizing his violence prevention work, including the Angel of Peace Award from the Violence Prevention Council of Greater Los Angeles.

Mary Szecsey

Executive Director, West County Health Centers, Inc.

Mary Szecsey has been executive director at West County Health Centers (WCHC) since 1995. WCHC is a licensed Federally Qualified Health Center providing comprehensive health services at two facilities in western Sonoma County. During her tenure, Szecsey successfully managed the merger of two rural health centers (to form the current West County Health Centers) and several major capital projects to expand and improve clinic facilities. Szecsey received a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley. Through her work at WCHC, she has served on a variety of local and statewide health committees, and she was a member of the Harmony Union School District School Board for 10 years. She was recognized as Woman of the Year in Assembly District One and received the Sonoma County Department of Health Service’s Public Health Champion Award.