Our Staff

Andrea Vidaurre is a Policy Analyst at the Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice (CCAEJ). Raised by migrant parents from Peru, she grew up in the Inland region of Southern California in the San Bernardino and Riverside counties. She recently graduated from the University of California, Riverside (UCR) where she earned her B.A. in Global Studies and expanded her knowledge and curiosity of community-based research and critical thought. She worked alongside tenured professors at UCR on multiple research projects studying transnational labor alliances, studying demographic trends at a local free medical clinic in San Bernardino and documenting critical discourse analysis from Central American & Mexican asylum seekers in Southern California. Following graduation, she gained experience working in Washington D.C. at GreenLatinos as a national advocate on environmental issues, researching occupational health and safety among grocery store and meatpacking workers at UFCW Local 770 and volunteering in local social justice campaigns. She is committed in continuing the fight against systematic oppression and its transnational implications.  She loves constantly learning from the community around her and being apart of a greater movement for an equitable quality of life and conservation of our mother earth!

Anthony is a former reporter, who now serves as Director of Communications for CCAEJ. He’s built a career on being the community’s watchdog.

At a time when local news is underreported by major news media, as a journalist, Anthony helped shine a spotlight on Inland Empire policymakers and government agencies and their policy positions on immigration, homelessness, job-creation and public safety. He wrote about the growth of Latino-owned small businesses, the warehouse industrial complex, and the significance of community events like “Juneteenth” and the “March for Our Lives.”

Anthony is no longer just an observer. He is on the front lines of engaging working-class communities in the fight for equal access to live in healthy communities. His love and pride for the Inland Empire drives his advocacy and public service.

A second-generation resident of Fontana, Allen spent his childhood in and out of the emergency room because of his inability to breathe normally. Allen’s parents, a small landscape business owner and casino housekeeper, would retreat to Lytle Creek, away from the smog, when Allen’s lungs failed him.

His career in environmental justice began as an organizer for the hotel workers’ unions UNITE Here Local 11 and Local 226, where he led hunger strikes and walk-outs to put power back in our hands. Then he joined the Sierra Club, often working hand in hand with CCAEJ to bring our voice to decision-makers and demand clean air and equity.

Allen holds a Master’s of Arts in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago and a Certificate in Leadership, Organizing and Action from Harvard University. While he has given lectures and keynotes across the country on environmental justice and community organizing, his work building community power has always been in our community. Read more about Allen here.

Cindy has been with CCAEJ for twenty years. She started working with Penny Newman, CCAEJ’s founder, as a teenager. She spends her free time with her husband, Shawn, her kids Ashley (27) & Logan (22) — plus her numerous “fur babies.” Cindy wears many hats at CCAEJ from accounting to human resources and much more.

Italia Garcia was born in Mexico City and immigrated to Riverside, CA at the age of ten. She attended Riverside City College and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science with a minor in Women’s Studies from the University of California, Riverside. Italia joined Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice on January 2017 and serves as the Civic Engagement Coordinator. She has been a vocal and passionate advocate of social justice issues and has led numerous successful civic engagement efforts throughout the Inland Valley. Italia enjoys spending her free time gardening, watching movies and playing soccer.

Hakan Jackson was born and raised in Southern California.  Upon graduating high school, he joined the United States Air Force as a Biomedical Equipment Technician.  During his 12 year service, Hakan obtained an Associates in Applied Science in Biomedical Equipment Technology from the Community College of the Air Force and a Bachelor of Science in Social Science from University of Maryland University College.  After honorably discharging from the Air Force, Hakan attended Boston University where he earned a Master of Business Administration.

At CCAEJ Hakan serves as Information Technologist, Cartologist, and Data Scientist.  For fun, Hakan enjoys: podcasts, audiobooks, video games and bringing down systemic racism and the patriarchy.

Josephine Young joined CCAEJ in March 2016. Prior to joining CCAEJ, Josephine became engaged with social and environmental justice organizing while working with the Student Sustainability Collective at the University of California, San Diego, a commission of student government geared towards fostering a comprehensive understanding of sustainability that recognizes the political, economic, and social contexts in which environmental harm occurs. She has also worked with several non-profit organizations throughout Los Angeles and San Diego on issues of education and economic justice.

Josephine holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Environmental Systems from the University of California, San Diego. She lives with a rescued doggo and on her free time enjoys drinking coffee, watching too many TV shows, hiking, climbing, eating chocolate and ice cream, and pondering how to dismantle the systems of patriarchy, capitalism, imperialism, and racism (through memes).

Ericka has been with CCAEJ since 2009 when she became involved in issues surrounding the Westside of San Bernardino, where she lives. She became the recipient of the Jan Misquez Memorial Fellowship in 2013 and works along residents of the Westside of San Bernardino to tackle battles against the fueling station at Omnitrans, diesel pollution from the BNSF intermodal facility, and brings support to other surrounding communities including the Bloomington warehouse metropolis. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the California State University, San Bernardino. During her free time, Ericka enjoys trying new foods, learning about different cultures and hanging out with her dog, Popcorn.

Jean Kayano, is the Associate Director of the Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice (CCAEJ).   After 30 years of extensive experience in the nonprofit world to help with organizational change and management work – she has finally discovered at CCAEJ her passion for social and environmental justice work.  Although her skill set revolves around organizational administration; human resource; and fiscal oversight – her greatest joy revolves around leadership building – working alongside community residents and staff who fight for the right to live in a healthy, toxic-free and sustainable environment.  Jean’s work at CCAEJ also includes managing all the various program elements.  She enjoys working within team and feels grateful to engage with others in this life-changing work!

Graciela Larios, better known as Chela, joined Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice in 2008. She has a B.A. in Economics from the University of California, Riverside. Her efforts as a community organizer are in the Inland Valley primarily in the city of Jurupa Valley and San Bernardino, only an hour away from the Los Angeles area. During her time with CCAEJ she has been closely involved with the community; conducting and organizing community meetings and programs regarding environmental justice, health and civic engagement. Her passion towards the community in the Inland Valley grows every day as more and more industry moves in and destroys the beautiful green rural area the Inland Valley once was.  Chela spends her free time listening to music, drinking coffee, eating pan dulce and hanging out with family and friends