Monique Graves
Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson of the Board of Lauren’s House 4 Positive Change
Born and Raised in E. Palo Alto and coming from a community that was full of Positivity, greatness, love and togetherness. As a child and even as an adult never truly understanding what the negative stereotypes/stigma others had of E. Palo Alto. Until those negative views blessed her with awareness.
Working for one of the most prestigious hospital in the world, she was told by management she was not good enough to work for her employer, when her work ethic, and accolades from patients and staff were of excellence. Something that brought her, co workers and the patients she served joy was now being used as a belittling opportunity for management. Even when she sought out help, the cries fell on deaf ears. Without warrant or explanation, she was fired.
This opportunity left her in a place of mistrust, betrayal and anger by the actions of her employer. With a significant other and kids at home, there was no time for these feelings, yet the scariest part for her was not knowing exactly what she was feeling. All she knew for sure was that she didn’t like the place that she was in emotionally yet determined to understand and overcome the feelings that she felt. Lost in her emotions she sought the professional help of Kim Bullock, a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist. Never considering herself to be a religious person, she found solitude in the church and became thankful that her mother and grandmother instilled religion in her at a young age. As part of her therapy, she was asked to read, The Feeling Good Hand Book, by David Burns. This book helped her understand what she was actually feeling and gave her the ability to communicate to the ones that she trusted and needed to get her through this time.
Monique began to try the exercises that she learned in the book, on her significant other and watched their relationship blossom. As she sat and read the Feeling Good Handbook, at one of the local after school programs and listened to what the disadvantaged youths were talking about in her community, she was left feeling saddened and in awe by what was said. Kids lying to their parents about their whereabouts. Boys disrespecting girls in conversations and yet she heard kids with low self-esteem crying out to be heard, loved and accepted by others. As Monique began to volunteer in the local schools, it became evident to her how important a solid educational foundation is to the disadvantaged and low income youths success.
For years without realizing it, she had provided a positive safe haven that was opened up to friends of her children, she promoted educational services, youth development regardless of funds and she has been the adult that kids could depend on for guidance and love. After reading the Feeling Good Handbook, it was quite obvious; her passion has always been to serve the disadvantage/low income population in her community. From that point, Lauren's House 4 Positive Change Inc was born. A positive outlet for the disadvantage youths in my community that empowered them both educational and emotional.
LaTasha Love
Chief Financial Officier
LaTasha Love is an energetic professional with the exceptional ability to interact with all types of people and can easily handle the work of three assistants. She also has the ability to multi-task, simultaneously working on projects in Operational management, HR, and accounting.
Throughout my 10+ years of experience as an Office – Human Resources Director, I have demonstrated proficiency in all core functions of building an office from the ground up, including document preparation, internal/external communication, data and records management, meeting scheduling, and establishing organizational structure for several Tech based start-up companies in the San Francisco Bay Area.
In short, I can manage and supervise an office while effectively maintaining confidentiality and establishing protocol, policies and procedures needed to create a functional company. Throughout my career I have worked for the last 6 years with a Venture Capitalist that has allowed me to develop an entrepreneurial spirit. I have accelerated the achievement of goals and positioned myself as a valuable resource in a variety of situations.
Ja’net Lawrence
Board Member
Ja’net Lawrence has spent the last 12 years completing countless hours of community service in and around her community of East Palo Alto, CA. Ms. Lawrence is dedicating her life to being cultural competent so she can support and empower as many people in the community as possible. She graduated with honors from Menlo College with two B.A.’s in Liberal Arts with a focuses in both Psychology and History. In 2008 she completed her Master in Social Work (MSW) at San Jose State and her PPSC’s classes to be able to apply for her PPSC’s to work with K-12 students in Child Welfare and Attendance, School Social Work, and School Counseling.
Ms. Lawrence has been counseling students and their families in districts and colleges throughout the Bay Area. She advocates for students in grades K-College she also meets with students and their families on a one-on-one basis to help counsel and consult with them about any possible future careers, course selection, crisis support, and creates and facilitates groups and workshop on various topics including but not limited to children’s behavior, family relations, stress, couples issues, life transition, grief, loss, and anxiety. It is her personal goal to make sure that all students make progress toward their graduation from all levels of education and are able to set personal goals in their lives well.
Claudia Terceco
Secretary
A respected leader, equipped with powerful communication, coordination and analysis skills. Fully committed to providing nothing but my best to whatever it is I do. There is never too much on my plate, matter of fact I continuously am looking for new ways to grow both internally and externally. Learning and teaching is something I truly enjoy.
Professionally my experience consists of over ten years as on office professional, working as an executive assistant, shipping manager, and currently as an Administrative Assistant to the Tower Foundation/ University Advancement which are part of San Jose State University. Working in different types of businesses such as small businesses, big corporations and higher education has given me the tools to adapt to any type of environment where I can implement what I already know or learn new policies and procedures.
Volunteering has been something I have always done since I was in Junior High. I’ve been a mentor to elementary children in different type’s subjects. I’ve been involved in organizing an after school program at M.A.C.S.A, San Jose as well as being an ESL teacher at the Third Street Community Center downtown San Jose. Currently I am volunteering through the Bill Wilson Center as a mentor and supervising visits, however I plan to put that on hold to mentor in the Alum Rock Counseling Center where they mentor kids from my old Junior High. Finally, I am an active member of Sigma Gammy Rho, Inc. where our mission is to enhance the quality of life within the community, Public service, leadership development and education of youth. I also served as a secretary/treasurer for my on campus organization Circulo Hispanico. Throughout my life I have found it necessary to give back to the community in any form of volunteering all gearing towards the goal of minorities achieving higher education.
Educationally I have a Bachelors of Arts in Spanish and Sociology with a concentration in Criminology from San Jose State University. I interned at the San Jose Juvenile Hall because I wanted to be a Probation Officer. Eventually, I would like to pursue a Masters in Public Administration.
STAFF
Currently, we rely on volunteers to staff our homework center. We currently collaborates with Stanford students to offer after school tutoring.
Monique Graves CEO/Founder - Volunteer tutor in HW Center
Rubye Price High School Junior an aspiring Nurses - Volunteer tutor/mentor in HW Center
Brianna Holland High School Senior aspiring Caterer - Volunteer tutor/mentor in HW Center
Kayla Garza Menlo College tutor aspiring school Teacher - Volunteer tutor/mentor in HW Center
