Fortunata Matias
Watsonville
Summary
Community leader and bilingual professional with experience in program management, community outreach, technical assistance, youth development, and culturally responsive family support. Proven ability to build partnerships, coordinate community-based initiatives, facilitate education programs, and advocate for underserved populations. Fluent in Zapotec, Spanish, and English.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Project Manager: Capacity Building & Technical Assistance
Esperanza Community Farms
01.2025 - 01.2026
- Implemented comprehensive agricultural and community programs, focusing on increasing local engagement and resource accessibility in Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties.
- Developed and implemented volunteer engagement strategies to foster connections between community members and local organic farmers during CSA distributions.
- Oversaw technical assistance initiatives and prepared grant reports to support seamless program execution and adherence to regulations.
Youth Educational Support Specialist
Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County
Watsonville, CA
10.2022 - 06.2025
- Designed and implemented culturally relevant tutoring, mentorship, and arts-based programs to engage youth and support their educational development.
- Coordinated grant data collection and enhanced partnerships with families and organizations to improve program support and community involvement.
- Developed training materials for new staff, enhancing onboarding processes and service quality.
- Coordinated outreach initiatives to promote community resources and services available to families.
Policy, Planning & Evaluation Unit
Monterey County Health Department
Salinas, CA
07.2021 - 10.2023
- Led Indigenous Language Project to enhance linguistic and cultural equity within communities.
- Collaborated with Public Lab to conduct community-engaged research and implement participatory evaluation strategies.
- Coordinated outreach initiatives and participatory budgeting efforts for ACOMI 2023 events.
Education
B.S. - Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology
University of California, Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA05-2020
A.S. - Biology, Spanish & Liberal Arts
Cabrillo College
Aptos, CA06-2017
Skills
- Project management
- Program Coordination
- Community Outreach
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Grant Reporting
- Advocacy
- Bilingual education
- Microsoft Office
- Trauma-Informed Support
- Active Listening
- Prenatal, Birth and Postpartum Doula
- Languages: Zapotec, Spanish, English
Certification
- Background Check: DOJ & FBI Live Scan Clear – Passed (2026)
- First Aid/CPR Certification – Valid through June 2028
- Mental Health First Aid
- Certified Doula
Timeline
Project Manager: Capacity Building & Technical Assistance
Esperanza Community Farms
01.2025 - 01.2026
Youth Educational Support Specialist
Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County
10.2022 - 06.2025
Policy, Planning & Evaluation Unit
Monterey County Health Department
07.2021 - 10.2023
B.S. - Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology
University of California, Santa Cruz
A.S. - Biology, Spanish & Liberal Arts
Cabrillo College
AWARDS
Migrant Student of the Year, Region XI
Eat For The Earth, Raices Y Carino
Volunteer in Community-led Activities