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Meet Us The Staff and Board of Directors, Eggleston Youth Centers, Inc.

There’s a special kind of synergy that only few communities experience. Where compassion for local youth drives professionals and leadership to create something much greater than themselves. Through their unparalleled commitment, this is a place of healing and safe harbor, for the benefit of those less fortunate. These are the people behind hope.

Get to know the professionals who make up our Care team here:

ExecutiveAdmin StaffThe Board

Executives Leadership Team

Clarence Brown

Clarence Brown

Executive Director
Clarence Brown has served with distinction as Eggleston’s Assistant Executive Director and Executive Director for a combined forty years. He enjoys the legacy of being one of the longest serving directors of a social service agency for foster youth in California. During his tenure, he transitioned from a small six bed foster home into a top tier non-profit corporation. Under his visionary leadership and managed growth, Eggleston has expanded its program operations to include eight departments: Residential Treatment, Foster Care, Adoptions, Family Preservation, Substance Use Disorder, Behavioral Health, Human Resources and Accounting.

More About Clarence

Cassandra Gibson-Judkins

Cassandra Gibson-Judkins

Assistant Executive Director
Cassandra Gibson-Judkins, Assistant Executive Director, is a licensed clinical social worker who has dedicated her career to providing services to children, youth and families. She has been a loyal employee at Eggleston since 1978. During her tenure at Eggleston, she has held numerous leadership positions in residential treatment, foster family, adoptions, and behavioral health program divisions. In addition, she served at the Department of Children and Family Services form 10 years, specializing in adoption services.

Administrators Department Directors

  • James Amakye
    James Amakye
    Director of Accounting
  • Linda M. Garcia
    Linda M. Garcia
    Director of Substance Abuse and Education
  • Andrea Gonzalez
    Andrea Gonzalez
    Director of Administrative Services
  • Doris Vega
    Doris Vega
    Director of Foster Family and Adoption Agency
  • Nelia Arzate
    Nelia Arzate
    Human Resources Manager

AdministratorsResidential -Short-Term Residential Treatment Program (STRTP)

  • Don Gutierrez
    Don Gutierrez
    STRTP Administrator
  • Billy McDaniel
    Billy McDaniel
    STRTP Administrator
  • Jacqueline Suarez
    Jacqueline Suarez
    STRTP Coordinator
  • Quoquese Gray
    Quoquese Gray
    STRTP Administrator
  • Jaime Caballero
    Jaime Caballero
    STRTP Administrator
  • George Bojorquez
    George Bojorquez
    STRTP Administrator

Key Members Board of Directors

We are fortunate to have the collective experience of thought leaders who have made positive contributions to public education, social service, and health agencies throughout Southern California, here at the helm of the Eggleston Board of Directors. Through their guidance and community inner-connectivity, more people receive the help needed to experience a better way of life.

April Mitchell, President
April Mitchell was appointed to the Board of Eggleston Youth Centers, Inc. in 2012, and currently serves as the Board’s President. She has more than 20 years of previous experience in accounting, finance, fiscal monitoring and program development. Her strengths include the ability to apply accounting, finance and business information to analyze administrative and financial operations, and skill assessing organizational efficiency and effectiveness.

Currently, she serves as a Business Services Consultant for Los Angeles, County of Education. Previously, she was a Financial Manager/Human Resources Liaison for the California State University of Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) which included serving as manager of the College of Health, Human Services, & Nursing, and the College of Education. Prior to joining CSUDH, she held various positions with the Los Angeles County Community and Senior Services, and City of Inglewood where she served as the Summer Youth Employment Development Specialist servicing more than 800 youth each summer with employment opportunities.

Ms. Mitchell is a graduate of California State University of Dominguez Hills, she holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management, a Master of Public Administration from California State University of Long Beach.

Ruby Brown, Board Emeritus
Ruby Brown was appointed to the Board of Eggleston Youth Centers, Inc. in 2003. Ruby served as the Vice President when she retired from her role in December of 2023. She served with distinction during her two decades as a board member. Ms. Brown holds the following degrees: Master’s from California State University, Los Angeles and a Bachelor from Howard University, Washington, DC, and continuing education at UCLA, Los Angeles.

Work Experience:

  • Counseling Psychologist – Veteran’s Administration, Los Angeles
  • Early Intervention Coordinator-Westside Regional Center, Culver City, CA – 1988-1997
  • Vendor, Westside Regional Center, Culver City, CA – 2000-2015

Community Activities

  • Westside Regional Center, Culver City, CA-Board of Directors, Member – 1983-1986
  • Retired-L/MFT
Ormond Rucker, Treasurer
Ormond Rucker was appointed to the Board of Eggleston Youth Centers, Inc. in 2016. Ormond currently serves as the Treasurer of the Board and is a native of Los Angeles, California. Ormond Rucker has over 12 years of human resource experience interpreting and implementing policies and procedures. During that time, she has held many key positions, including visa and immigration processes, regulatory reporting, salary increases, labor relations and employee acquisition.

Ms. Rucker current serves as the Visa and Immigration Coordinator for California State University, Dominguez Hills.  She has a Masters of Public Administration from California State University, Dominguez Hills and a Bachelors of Arts degree in History and Africana Studies from California State University, Dominguez Hills.

Irving Chopin, Secretary
Irving Chopin, former foster youth, was appointed to the Board of Eggleston Youth Centers, Inc. in May 2013, and currently serves as the Board’s Secretary.

He has 20 years of hospital operation experience and service line analysis. His strengths include the ability to analyze data, report designs and database design.

Mr. Chopin currently works for White Memorial Medical Center, a 350-Bed  hospital located in East Los Angeles, as a Performance Improvement Coordinator for the Quality Department. Previously he was a Decision Support Analyst and a Data Coordinator at the same hospital. Additionally, Mr. Chopin worked for Good Guys, an electronic store, in Monterey Park as a Computer Salesman.

Shonna Jeffreys, Board of Directors
Shonna Jeffreys was appointed to the Board of Eggleston Youth Centers, Inc. in 2018. She is a Management Analyst with the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Executive Office – Human Resources Unit. Ms. Jeffreys has been a County of Los Angeles employee since 1997. Her current role is working in the Human Resources Department. She provides administrative support in the areas of Performance Management and Policy and Procedures.

Over the past 20 years she has gained knowledge and experience in administration, research, customer relations, technical documentation, and interpersonal collaboration. She holds a Master (MPA) from California State University, Northridge, with a focus on Public Sector Management and Leadership. She is currently obtaining a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration from Walden University, with a specialization in Public Management and Leadership. In addition, an independent certified coach, speaker, and trainer with the John Maxwell Team.

Ms. Jeffreys uses her personal, professional, and academic leadership skills in areas to impact social change pertaining to leadership development, child support, incarcerated fathers, foster care families, poverty stricken families, and homelessness.

Saundrea Young, Board of Directors
Saundrea Young was officially inducted into the Eggleston Youth Centers, Inc. Board of Directors January, 2018.

She has more than 40 years of administrative and clinical social work experience in medical, community, mental health, and foster care social work.

Ms. Young retired from the Los Angeles Kaiser Permanente Medical Center where, as Director of the Social Medicine Department, she demonstrated skills in clinical and administrative operations, staff development, program planning, regulatory compliance, team building, and managing change environments.

In addition, she co-founded and served as clinical director for LOVED ONES OF HOMICIDE VICTIMS SERVICE CENTER, providing mental health services for families of homicide victims. That work was featured in The Los Angeles Times, on the news magazines ’60 Minutes’ and “48 Hours”, and on several local television and radio shows.

Ms. Young received her BA from Michigan State University, and a Master of Social Work Administration from The University of Michigan. She is a California Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

Omar Taylor, Board of Directors
Omar Taylor is Founder and Principal Attorney of Taylor P.C., a law firm whose practice primarily focuses on advancing business owners and investors. Also, Omar is founder of his own non-profit, Rally Way. Rally Way provides critical, educational and developmental resources to at-risk youth.

Omar brings extensive experience in commercial real estate asset management. In 2012, Omar was tapped by President Barack Obama’s reelection campaign to work in the state of Florida. He worked on strategy and organization efforts.

Omar received his degree in psychology from Morehouse College and his Juris Doctor from Southern University Law Center. In 2014 he graduated from the ICSC Real Estate Associate Program and in 2017 he graduated from Goldman Sach’s Academy of Business. Also, he studied at the University of London in legal coursework. Omar is a member of the National Bar Association, John M. Langston Bar Association and the California Arts and Science Institute.

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James Amakye
Director of Accounting

James, has worked in the accounting field for most of his career including work with non-profits, public and private companies. He has been a member of Eggleston’s team since 2011. James holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from California State University at Los Angeles.

Linda M. Garcia
Director of Substance Abuse and Education
Andrea Gonzalez
Director of Administrative Services

Andrea Gonzalez is the Director of Administrative Services of Eggleston Youth Centers, Inc. Andrea first joined Eggleston in October 2007 as a Case Manager and shortly thereafter as Supervising Social Worker. Subsequently, in August of 2017 her role expanded as she was appointed as the Director of Administrative Services.

Andrea earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from California State University Los Angeles in 2007. As she took on management roles within the organization, she discovered her passion for both the clinical and administrative aspects of social services. She pursued this blended interest by earning a Master’s Degree in Social Work with a concentration in Children, Youth, Women and Families from California State University Los Angeles in 2011.

Since 2006, Andrea has worked and interned in several social service settings in various capacities, providing both direct and managerial service. Andrea has extensive experience working with children and families as a Clinical Social Worker working with at-risk youth in the residential and school settings and as a Clinical Social Worker at City of Hope Hospital where she worked closely with patients, families, and doctors.

Doris Vega
Director of Foster Family and Adoption Agency

Doris Vega first joined Eggleston Youth Centers, Inc. in August 2010 on a contractual basis with the Adoption division. Subsequently, in September 2011, her role expanded as she was appointed Director of the Foster Family and Adoption Agency.

Doris Vega received her Master of Social Work Degree, with a specialization in Community Organization, Planning, and Administration from University of Southern California in 2001.

Since 2001, Mrs. Vega has worked with several foster family agencies in various capacities. She has 17 years of extensive professional experience working directly with children, youth, and families, as well as providing administrative oversight for child welfare programs. Mrs. Vega’s passion is social welfare advocacy and is dedicated to continuing her work to improve the lives and well-being of children, youth and their families.

Nelia Arzate
Human Resources Manager

With more than twelve years of experience in the non-profit sector, Nelia Arzate joined Eggleston eight years ago, initially as an Intake Coordinator. Her position within the organization broadened as she took on an active role in the Human Resources Department. Being committed to her professional development, Nelia enriched her knowledge in Human Resources which has given her the opportunity to grow her strategic leadership in the areas of workforce management, talent acquisition and development, employee relations, policy development and implementation, risk management, training and payroll. Through hard work and perseverance, Nelia was promoted to HR Manager.

Nelia’s passion for helping others drives her strong commitment for helping youth and children. She always speaks with great pride of all the work Eggleston Youth Centers, Inc. does for their clients and the ongoing efforts to improve processes to be able to do more. In her spare time, Nelia is an avid foodie who enjoys traveling and spending quality time with her family, 2 children, friends and numerous godchildren—28 and counting. She also enjoys visiting family in Mexico.

Don Gutierrez
STRTP Administrator

Bio Coming Soon…

Billy McDaniel
STRTP Administrator

Bio Coming Soon…

Jacqueline Suarez
STRTP Coordinator

Bio Coming Soon…

Quoquese Gray
STRTP Administrator

Bio Coming Soon…

Jaime Caballero
STRTP Administrator

Bio Coming Soon…

George Bojorquez
STRTP Administrator

Bio Coming Soon…