Board of Directors
Officers
Haley Fuselier;Co Chair, Regional Director WLA, PATH
Haley Fuselier, LCSW joined PATH in April of 2015. On initially joining PATH, she was overseeing the Veteran Interim Housing Program. This program focuses on the Harm Reduction philosophy, requiring the veterans to reduce harmful behavior before moving into Permanent housing. Within a few months, she expanded her leadership role to oversee interim housing, outreach in the WLA area, and rapid rehousing programs as a Regional Director. Haley is extensively involved in collaborations that work tirelessly to reduce instances of homelessness throughout Los Angeles County, while finding innovative ways to address the ongoing issues associated with homelessness. Haley received her MSW from the University of Southern California in 2005. She has extensive experience in the area of Child Welfare and worked at the Department of Children and Family Services before moving into homeless services in 2008. She successfully ran a homeless access center in Venice for 7 years focusing on harm reduction, housing the chronically homeless and mental health needs for dual diagnosis individuals.
Haley Fuselier, LCSW joined PATH in April of 2015. On initially joining PATH, she was overseeing the Veteran Interim Housing Program. This program focuses on the Harm Reduction philosophy, requiring the veterans to reduce harmful behavior before moving into Permanent housing. Within a few months, she expanded her leadership role to oversee interim housing, outreach in the WLA area, and rapid rehousing programs as a Regional Director. Haley is extensively involved in collaborations that work tirelessly to reduce instances of homelessness throughout Los Angeles County, while finding innovative ways to address the ongoing issues associated with homelessness. Haley received her MSW from the University of Southern California in 2005. She has extensive experience in the area of Child Welfare and worked at the Department of Children and Family Services before moving into homeless services in 2008. She successfully ran a homeless access center in Venice for 7 years focusing on harm reduction, housing the chronically homeless and mental health needs for dual diagnosis individuals.
Rachel Stich; Co-Chair, Deputy Director, Safe Place for Youth
Rachel Stich is the Deputy Director at Safe Place for Youth (SPY). In her role, Rachel is responsible for overseeing all of the organization's development and administrative efforts, including managing their growing budget, which has doubled annually since she joined SPY two and half years ago. As a Westside resident for nearly 12 years, she is passionate about resolving youth homelessness and improving the overall health and wellness of our local community. If selected as a member of the Board, Rachel looks forward to utilizing her extensive experience in development and communications to assist with fundraising efforts and community outreach, working collaboratively with the Westside Coalition alliance, and representing the young people who are experiencing homelessness in West LA.
Rachel Stich is the Deputy Director at Safe Place for Youth (SPY). In her role, Rachel is responsible for overseeing all of the organization's development and administrative efforts, including managing their growing budget, which has doubled annually since she joined SPY two and half years ago. As a Westside resident for nearly 12 years, she is passionate about resolving youth homelessness and improving the overall health and wellness of our local community. If selected as a member of the Board, Rachel looks forward to utilizing her extensive experience in development and communications to assist with fundraising efforts and community outreach, working collaboratively with the Westside Coalition alliance, and representing the young people who are experiencing homelessness in West LA.
Achée Stevenson; WC Secretary, Director of Client Engagement, St. Joseph Center
Achée Stevenson has a Bachelor of Arts from Smith College, a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Columbia University, and over 25 years of experience in the for-profit, non-profit, and public sector working in and overseeing programs serving a variety of at-risk populations including domestic violence victims, ex-offenders, homeless individuals, Veterans, and welfare recipients. Achée is currently working at St. Joseph Center, in Venice, as the Director of Client Engagement overseeing 4 programs: the Coordinated Entry System for Single Individuals and Adults (CESSAY), the Countywide Benefits and Entitlements Services Team (CBEST), the Homeless Service Center (HSC), and the Representative Payee Services Program (RPSP). Achée is a Santa Monica resident homeowner personally and professionally committed to solving problems on the west side of Los Angeles. When not working, Achée enjoys biking at the beach, hiking in the mountains, traveling to see family, and spending time with her husband and 2 cats.
Achée Stevenson has a Bachelor of Arts from Smith College, a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Columbia University, and over 25 years of experience in the for-profit, non-profit, and public sector working in and overseeing programs serving a variety of at-risk populations including domestic violence victims, ex-offenders, homeless individuals, Veterans, and welfare recipients. Achée is currently working at St. Joseph Center, in Venice, as the Director of Client Engagement overseeing 4 programs: the Coordinated Entry System for Single Individuals and Adults (CESSAY), the Countywide Benefits and Entitlements Services Team (CBEST), the Homeless Service Center (HSC), and the Representative Payee Services Program (RPSP). Achée is a Santa Monica resident homeowner personally and professionally committed to solving problems on the west side of Los Angeles. When not working, Achée enjoys biking at the beach, hiking in the mountains, traveling to see family, and spending time with her husband and 2 cats.
Chris Baca; WC Treasurer, Executive Director Meals on Wheels West
Chris provides leadership for all phases of operations, with special emphasis on long-range planning, program impact, client services and community partnerships. This includes overseeing and ensuring coordination of programs, staff, service delivery, community relations, marketing, fundraising, events, board relations and volunteer activities. He brings to Meals On Wheels West a passion for working with underserved communities. He has expanded the focus of MOW West to include veterans, the formerly homeless and transitional care. His previous non-profit experience includes his role as Regional Director for Community Healthy Charities of America overseeing programs in nine states in the Western Region. Mr. Baca also served as Executive Director for Community Healthy Charities California working in Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties with a variety of clients including Kaiser, Toyota and the City of Los Angeles. A longtime music business executive at Capitol Records/EMI, RCA/Imago, a Billboard Magazine nominated music business consultant and artist manager he brings an entrepreneurial spirit to MOW West. A graduate of SAMOHI and a longtime resident of the Westside, Chris is honored to be considered to serve as a member of the Westside Coalition Board.
Chris provides leadership for all phases of operations, with special emphasis on long-range planning, program impact, client services and community partnerships. This includes overseeing and ensuring coordination of programs, staff, service delivery, community relations, marketing, fundraising, events, board relations and volunteer activities. He brings to Meals On Wheels West a passion for working with underserved communities. He has expanded the focus of MOW West to include veterans, the formerly homeless and transitional care. His previous non-profit experience includes his role as Regional Director for Community Healthy Charities of America overseeing programs in nine states in the Western Region. Mr. Baca also served as Executive Director for Community Healthy Charities California working in Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties with a variety of clients including Kaiser, Toyota and the City of Los Angeles. A longtime music business executive at Capitol Records/EMI, RCA/Imago, a Billboard Magazine nominated music business consultant and artist manager he brings an entrepreneurial spirit to MOW West. A graduate of SAMOHI and a longtime resident of the Westside, Chris is honored to be considered to serve as a member of the Westside Coalition Board.
Bianca Smith; Site Director Chrysalis
Bianca is the Site Director at Chrysalis – Santa Monica. Bianca has worked in the nonprofit sector since 2008, working in various roles with varying demographics. Since 2012, she has worked specifically in workforce development. This passion for putting disadvantaged individuals back to work led her to Chrysalis. Chrysalis is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a pathway to self-sufficiency for homeless and low-income individuals by providing the resources and support needed to find and retain employment. Bianca is committed to the mission and values of the Westside Coalition and looks forward to supporting all of SPA 5 agencies, participants and community members in a broader way by serving on the Coalitions Board.
Bianca is the Site Director at Chrysalis – Santa Monica. Bianca has worked in the nonprofit sector since 2008, working in various roles with varying demographics. Since 2012, she has worked specifically in workforce development. This passion for putting disadvantaged individuals back to work led her to Chrysalis. Chrysalis is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a pathway to self-sufficiency for homeless and low-income individuals by providing the resources and support needed to find and retain employment. Bianca is committed to the mission and values of the Westside Coalition and looks forward to supporting all of SPA 5 agencies, participants and community members in a broader way by serving on the Coalitions Board.
Rev. Dr. Frances Wattman Rosenau; Pastor Culver City Presbyterian Church
Dr. Rosenau has served as pastor of Culver City Presbyterian Church since 2016. Prior to moving to Southern California, she served as Associate Pastor at Westminster Presbyterian in Albany, New York. In addition to her Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Seminary, she received her Doctor of Ministry degree from New Brunswick Theological Seminary in Congregational and Community Renewal with a focus on Multiethnic and Multicultural Ministry. She has a passion for the global church and has lived in India, Scotland, Arizona, Upstate New York, Paris, and Chicago.
As a leader in the faith community, Pastor Rosenau believes in building strong partnerships with our neighbors and service providers. So often, well-meaning people of faith implement programs for our neighbors without fully understanding the larger context of services that are already provided. When faith communities stay connected to service agencies and other congregations, they are able to ask critical questions and partner together. Pastor Rosenau is honored to grow connections in the faith community through the Westside Coalition.
Dr. Rosenau has served as pastor of Culver City Presbyterian Church since 2016. Prior to moving to Southern California, she served as Associate Pastor at Westminster Presbyterian in Albany, New York. In addition to her Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Seminary, she received her Doctor of Ministry degree from New Brunswick Theological Seminary in Congregational and Community Renewal with a focus on Multiethnic and Multicultural Ministry. She has a passion for the global church and has lived in India, Scotland, Arizona, Upstate New York, Paris, and Chicago.
As a leader in the faith community, Pastor Rosenau believes in building strong partnerships with our neighbors and service providers. So often, well-meaning people of faith implement programs for our neighbors without fully understanding the larger context of services that are already provided. When faith communities stay connected to service agencies and other congregations, they are able to ask critical questions and partner together. Pastor Rosenau is honored to grow connections in the faith community through the Westside Coalition.
Jocelyn Cortese; Outreach Commission, Grant Coordinator and Board of Trustees for St. Matthew's Parish
Jocelyn is an active member of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Parish , and has been a member of the Parish’s Outreach Commission for many years. She has been the Outreach Grant Coordinator since 2006, supervising annual Parish grants between $250,000 and $350,000. She was also a member of the Board of Trustees for St. Matthew’s Parish School, and served in the volunteer position of Service Learning Coordinator for 14 years.
Jocelyn is currently a Board member, and Development Committee Chair, for Westside Food Bank. She is also on the “Housing to Home” committee for the Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness. Jocelyn was a founding member of the Support Council for St. Anne Catholic School in Santa Monica, and served until 2015. She was also Vice Chair of the Board for Directors for the Global AIDS Interfaith Alliance (GAIA) from approximately 2003-2008. She was recently honored with a Jocelyn Cortese Mobile Health Clinic for GAIA’s work in rural Malawi, Africa. Jocelyn is a weekly volunteer at St. Joseph Center’s Bread & Roses Café, and also a volunteer with The People Concern. She served as the Development Chair on the Board of Directors for Hollygrove/ Uplift Family Services from 1993 – 1999.
Jocelyn is an active member of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Parish , and has been a member of the Parish’s Outreach Commission for many years. She has been the Outreach Grant Coordinator since 2006, supervising annual Parish grants between $250,000 and $350,000. She was also a member of the Board of Trustees for St. Matthew’s Parish School, and served in the volunteer position of Service Learning Coordinator for 14 years.
Jocelyn is currently a Board member, and Development Committee Chair, for Westside Food Bank. She is also on the “Housing to Home” committee for the Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness. Jocelyn was a founding member of the Support Council for St. Anne Catholic School in Santa Monica, and served until 2015. She was also Vice Chair of the Board for Directors for the Global AIDS Interfaith Alliance (GAIA) from approximately 2003-2008. She was recently honored with a Jocelyn Cortese Mobile Health Clinic for GAIA’s work in rural Malawi, Africa. Jocelyn is a weekly volunteer at St. Joseph Center’s Bread & Roses Café, and also a volunteer with The People Concern. She served as the Development Chair on the Board of Directors for Hollygrove/ Uplift Family Services from 1993 – 1999.
Julie Kirk; Director of Community Outreach and Education, Westside Family Health Center
Since joining the Westside Family Health Center (WFHC) in 1999, Julie has been a strong proponent of collaboration in order to meet the ever-changing needs of the community and the people we serve. As the Director of Community Outreach and Education at Westside Family Health Center (WFHC) Julie is involved in many collaborative projects with members of Westside Coalition. She strongly believes in the mission of the Coalition to address housing, hunger, and health through service coordination, public education, and advocacy. As a member of the board, Julie is effective in strengthening the Coalition's knowledge base on health policy, programs, and advocacy to address the gaps in medical services amongst homeless and low income individuals and families.
Since joining the Westside Family Health Center (WFHC) in 1999, Julie has been a strong proponent of collaboration in order to meet the ever-changing needs of the community and the people we serve. As the Director of Community Outreach and Education at Westside Family Health Center (WFHC) Julie is involved in many collaborative projects with members of Westside Coalition. She strongly believes in the mission of the Coalition to address housing, hunger, and health through service coordination, public education, and advocacy. As a member of the board, Julie is effective in strengthening the Coalition's knowledge base on health policy, programs, and advocacy to address the gaps in medical services amongst homeless and low income individuals and families.
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Lori Bowe; Project Director of Turning Point, The People Concern
Currently, I am the Project Director of Turning Point Interim Housing for The People Concern in Santa Monica. I have been employed with The People Concern for 5 years. The Interim Housing Program I manage is designed to support program participants who are transitioning out of homelessness. During these 5 years, I have partnered with many Westside Coalition member agencies in working together to provide much needed services to our most challenging & vulnerable friends. These partnerships have contributed in 92% of program participants placed in permanent housing by The People Concern never experiencing homelessness again. I am committed to empowering our most vulnerable friends to improve their quality of life – housed, healthy and safe – and become active participants in this community. Mark Jones; Director of Mission, Outreach and Pastoral Care, Westwood Presbyterian Church
I am Pastor Mark S. Jones, Sr. I was first introduced to Los Angeles Westside needs when I served as Director of Children and Family Ministries at Westwood Presbyterian Church from November 1994 to March 2005 and have stayed connected since. I have a Master of Divinity degree from San Francisco Theological Seminary and have served at all levels of the Presbyterian Church (USA) - Local Councils/ Church Sessions; Mid-Council Committees of the Presbytery of the Pacific (Homeless Task force; Disaster Response Team, & Gulf Coast Mission Team), Racial Ethnic Concerns. From November 2012 through June 2017 I served as Pastor of Community United Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles. I returned to Westwood Presbyterian Church on July 1, 2017 where I currently serve as Director of Mission & Outreach and Pastoral Care. I am a member of the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health Clergy Round Table for Service Planning Area (SPA) 5. I participated in the Interfaith Summit on Homelessness (June 7, 2017), Mayor Eric Garcetti's 100 Days of Compassion, and his Civil University program - all designed to help eliminate homelessness in the City of Los Angeles. I network with several of the Supportive Services member agencies of the Westside Coalition. I come with a passion for mission, a deep faith in and love for God and all people, and delight for the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors of the Westside Coalition. I have a loving wife (Romana) of 47 years, and three adult children." Teresa White; Gap Executive |