JALEESA@CALYOUTHCONN.ORG
Jaleesa is the Community Advocacy Coordinator for the South Bay, she provides foundational resources for youth-led advocacy and leadership development activities in her region. Jaleesa’s role includes expanding the membership base, increasing volunteer participation, developing sound organizing strategies in collaboration with members, and strengthening engagement by supporting member leadership.
Jaleesa chose to work with CYC because she enjoys helping young people develop the skills needed to transform the child welfare system, grow into their full potential, and beat the negative statistics associated with being in foster care. She earned her Master’s Degree in Social Welfare with a concentration in Public Child Welfare at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Jaleesa has worked as a child welfare policy analyst for a national advocacy organization in Washington, DC. She also has experience working in direct services as an Emergency Response and Continuing Services social worker with the Department of Family and Children Services. Jaleesa has lived experience in the foster care system and has experience working with youth adult-partnerships.
In her free time, Jaleesa enjoys writing, reading, and participating in outdoor activities.