Who We Are
The Team
MARTHA ENCARNACION, INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, (THEY/THEM)
Martha graduated with a BA in Public Health from UC Irvine where they learned how health affects low income BIPOC. Learning the details of how this can happen, and education being one of the factors to health risks, made them realize that providing the best education for these communities is a way to potentially support students and communities in how to better protect their health. In addition, Martha has a Masters in Education. They were an AmeriCorps member in the Teach For America Bay Area where they got experience teaching 5th grade DLI students. As well as learn how to be an active, culturally aware and anti-racist educator. Afterwards, Martha wanted to work in the education field, but working more directly with communities. That is why, they joined the CEP team as the Children Learning Center Program Coordinator in 2023. Their goal at CEP is to create a safe learning environment for students and build community. Martha on their free time likes to exercise, try new food places, watch anime, share local resources, and spend time with their cats!
HALLE HOMICH, PROGRAM COORDINATOR (SHE/HER/HERS)
Halle has been supporting students for nearly 10 years as a student leader, tutor, camp counselor, and, most recently, as a special education paraeducator for Oakland Unified School District. During her time at OUSD, she discovered a demonstrated greater need for organizations like CEP that give students and families equitable access to the full breadth of resources available to them. Halle strives to provide safe, comfortable, and joyful learning environments for CEP's amazing students. After work, you can find her trying new recipes, singing karaoke with her closest friends and family, or somewhere watching live music.
LAILA KENT, PROGRAM COORDINATOR (SHE/THEY)
Laila was raised in the Okanogan Valley in Washington State. She graduated from Scripps College with a BA in Organizational Studies. Her movement in the world is driven by bringing people together, defining and living out value systems, and leaning into curiosity and tension. They bring experience in youth leadership development, community organizing, outdoor education, and medical advocacy. Laila is eager to support authentic relationship building, creative curriculum development at CEP. On the weekends you will most likely find them zooming around Oakland by bike or on the dance floor.
JAHMILLAH MALIK, PROGRAM COORDINATOR (SHE/HER/HERS)
Jahmillah was born and raised in Hawaii with her mother and six sisters. Her goal at CEP is to help assist children with their education and provide them with academic skills that will benefit them throughout their academic journey. She is understanding, easy to talk to, and open hearted. Jahmillah plays six instruments, she loves to cook, and creates graphic designs and 3D Art in her free time.
TSING MILLER, PROGRAM COORDINATOR (THEY/THEM)
Tsing earned their B.A. in Social Welfare with minors in Creative Writing and Global Public Health from UC Berkeley. They spent three years in the Youth & Queer Clinic of the Suitcase Clinic where they worked with their unhoused neighbors to ensure access to resources, cocreate supportive services, and build community together. Tsing brings their enthusiasm and curiosity into all aspects of their work and believes whole-heartedly in the strengths and value of every person. They love exploring new music and will ask you about your favorite local punk bands!
MIKAH SANCHEZ, PROGRAM COORDINATOR (THEY/THEM)
Mikah (ME-kah) is originally from unceded Tāp Pīlam Coahuiltecan land (South Texas) and also has roots in the South Valley of Albuquerque, New Mexico. They graduated from Stanford University in 2023 with a BA in Feminist, Gender & Sexuality Studies. Mikah is an active member of the Bay Area Two-Spirit community and is eager to use anti-racist and decolonial frameworks to advocate for CEP’s students and families. They are excited to be supporting CEP’s expansion to San Francisco and furthering community-led efforts towards liberated futures.
Board of Directors
SARAH CHAVEZ-YOELL, PG&E
Sarah Chavez-Yoell serves as Government Relations Representative for Pacific Gas & Electricity’s Bay Area Division. Most recently, Sarah served as a Community Outreach, Government Relations and Communications consultant, where she provided support to local businesses and non-profit organizations. Prior to those roles, Sarah served as Executive Director of the Oakland Builders Alliance, a non-profit advocacy group that seeks to address the economic and environmental need for responsible development in Oakland. She also served as Executive Director of the East Oakland Boxing Association, a non-profit, community-based organization that provides education, enrichment, and health programs for children and youth. Sarah also previously worked as a constituent liaison for Oakland City Council Member Larry Reid. Sarah is an Oakland native and serves on the board of directors of Youth Alive!, CEP, and Oakland Food Works. Sarah earned her bachelor’s degree from California State University, Hayward and Master’s degree in Public Administration from California State University, East Bay.
LAKEESHA LEWIS, ABODE SERVICES
LaKeesha L. Lewis comes to CEP as a professional who has invaluable experience in several business sectors. LaKeesha has six years of social service experience. For the past three years, LaKeesha served as an After Care & Housing Specialist with the East Oakland Community Project, a leading non-profit organization that works with homeless individuals and families and helps them transition to permanent housing. During the 2018-2020 period, LaKeesha was instrumental in helping the organization achieve a 95% housing placement rate while attaining a return to homeless rate that was less than 2% for the clients exiting the Matilda Cleveland Transitional Housing Program and Families In Transition Program. LaKeesha was also instrumental in helping to organize college tours and other educational support and awareness services that helped inspire four high school seniors to matriculate to institutions of higher learning directly from the Matilda Cleveland homeless shelter. Her leadership helped countless other students (youth and adults) to focus on educational and training pursuits as a key stepping- stone towards breaking the cycle of poverty.
Prior to her time with the East Oakland Community Project, LaKeesha served as a Recreation Specialist for Crestwood Behavioral Health where she helped support adults with physical and mental health challenges. LaKeesha was raised in Sacramento and graduated from Foothill High school. She received a Dental Assistant Certificate from the Sacramento Regional Occupational Program and worked as a Dental Assistant for over 10 years. LaKeesha enjoys mentoring youth and business planning. She is currently working with two partners to open a Residential Care Facility for adults with intellectual and physical disabilities. She is currently a Housing Specialist with Abode Services, a non-profit serving the homeless population.
Prior to her time with the East Oakland Community Project, LaKeesha served as a Recreation Specialist for Crestwood Behavioral Health where she helped support adults with physical and mental health challenges. LaKeesha was raised in Sacramento and graduated from Foothill High school. She received a Dental Assistant Certificate from the Sacramento Regional Occupational Program and worked as a Dental Assistant for over 10 years. LaKeesha enjoys mentoring youth and business planning. She is currently working with two partners to open a Residential Care Facility for adults with intellectual and physical disabilities. She is currently a Housing Specialist with Abode Services, a non-profit serving the homeless population.
ERICA MOHAN, CEP FOUNDER (SHE/HER/HERS)
Erica Mohan is the Founder and former Executive Director of Community Education Partnerships. For three years prior to founding CEP, Erica was a volunteer, and later the Learning Center Coordinator, for School on Wheels, an organization that has been tutoring children facing homelessness and housing insecurity in the Greater Los Angeles Area since 1993. Understanding the critical need to academically support children experiencing housing insecurity and realizing that the San Francisco Bay Area lacked an organization specifically dedicated to providing such support, in 2010 Erica founded CEP. Erica holds an MEd and a PhD in Educational Studies from the University of British Columbia.
JON RELYEA, ORACLE
Jon Relyea is a Sales Director at Oracle, working with growing midsize companies to modernize and scale their company software. He currently leads a team of salespeople that work to build deep relationships with business leaders in California and develop strategic plans to generate revenue growth.
Jon is a 'people-person' and takes pride in mentorship and helping others succeed in their professional lives. He has served as a member and Co-Chair at Full Circle Fund, which is a community organization that leverages resources from the public, private and nonprofit sectors to work on joint projects with the goal of building a better Bay Area.
Jon has Midwestern roots and graduated with a degree in Psychology from the University of Minnesota before moving to the Bay Area with his wife, Jackie, 7 years ago. Jon and Jackie live in Oakland and are passionate about serving their local community.
Jon is a 'people-person' and takes pride in mentorship and helping others succeed in their professional lives. He has served as a member and Co-Chair at Full Circle Fund, which is a community organization that leverages resources from the public, private and nonprofit sectors to work on joint projects with the goal of building a better Bay Area.
Jon has Midwestern roots and graduated with a degree in Psychology from the University of Minnesota before moving to the Bay Area with his wife, Jackie, 7 years ago. Jon and Jackie live in Oakland and are passionate about serving their local community.
SARAH SANDFORD-SMITH, The HONORABLE
Sarah Sandford-Smith was a partner at the law firm Beeson, Tayer & Bodine, where she specialized in representing public school teachers, classified employees, and other public sector unions. Sarah earned her J.D. from UC Hastings in 2005.
Sarah has been involved with public education, in some form or another, since childhood. Sarah comes from a family of public school teachers, and would often spend time in her mom's classroom, helping students in need of academic support. During her undergraduate years at UCLA, Sarah volunteered as a tutor at an elementary school in East Los Angeles. Sarah is excited to serve on the CEP Board, to further its mission of providing resources and support to underserved students in the Bay Area.
Sarah resides in the East Bay with her partner, three kids, one dog and two cats. When she is not working or wrangling children or animals, Sarah enjoys running and spending time outdoors.
Sarah has been involved with public education, in some form or another, since childhood. Sarah comes from a family of public school teachers, and would often spend time in her mom's classroom, helping students in need of academic support. During her undergraduate years at UCLA, Sarah volunteered as a tutor at an elementary school in East Los Angeles. Sarah is excited to serve on the CEP Board, to further its mission of providing resources and support to underserved students in the Bay Area.
Sarah resides in the East Bay with her partner, three kids, one dog and two cats. When she is not working or wrangling children or animals, Sarah enjoys running and spending time outdoors.
Catherine Jarret
Bio coming soon...
