Looking to get in touch? For general inquiries, please email info@communitygrows.org. For more specific questions, please select the staff member that most closely matches your inquiry below.
Co-Executive Director (she/her)
Vanessa is an educator, advocate, and lover of the outdoors. She has been working in the outdoor education sector since 2015. Over that time Vanessa has facilitated outdoor learning with youth ranging from Pre-K to High School, and has worked at both the Student Conservation Association and Education Outside. Her professional interests revolve around connecting BIPOC youth to nature, teaching youth how to grow and cook their own food, and the importance of making curriculum relevant to the communities she is in collaboration with.
Contact Vanessa for: Programming and general inquiries
Co-Executive Director (he/him)
Perry has a passion for creating resilient communities and ensuring a better future for our youth. With over a decade of experience in accounting, finance, community development and non-profit operations, Perry brings an eagerness to learn, grow, and a desire to make a positive impact in this world. After receiving his MA in Diverse Community Development Leadership from CSU Northridge in 2022, his focus on food security and creating sustainable food systems continues to influence his unwavering support of local farmers, producers, and educators. Perry is thrilled to join the CG team and looks forward to contributing to the ongoing success and longevity of CommunityGrows.
Communications Specialist (she/her)
Brittney is a proud first-generation graduate, of the University of California, Merced with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Prior to joining CommunityGrows, Brittney worked in community organizing, mentored first-generation high school students, and communications. She is excited to be a part of CG and can’t wait to continue to help highlight the impactful work done by the team in low-income communities.
Contact Brittney for: Marketing and social media inquiries
Community Engagement & Development Coordinator (she/her)
Brittney has always been passionate about community service and building relationships within communities, having volunteered at organizations such as Planned Parenthood and FoodNotBombs. She believes that by building relationships with community members, organizations like CommunityGrows can better serve and address the needs of those communities. As Community Engagement Coordinator, Brittney hopes to continue to cultivate and nurture the relationships between the staff and volunteers at CommunityGrows and the communities that they serve and support.
Contact Brittney for: Volunteer Opportunities and other ways to get involved.
BEETs program assistant (they/he)
Dmitrius, a product of the California Community College System, was born and raised in the East Bay (San Pablo/Richmond) and acknowledges themselves as a visitor on Ohlone land, with roots in Nicaragua, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. After transferring to UC Santa Cruz, they worked on projects related to student housing, bird-window collisions, natural history, and climate change, and graduated in Spring 2022 with degrees in Environmental Studies/Economics and Philosophy. As the BEETs assistant at Community Grows, Dmitrius is excited to support garden maintenance, education, and community engagement, including organizing field trips and fostering creativity. Their passion for local green spaces drives their dedication to working with BEETs interns on reciprocity, stewardship, and community building.
Contact Dmitrius for: Questions about the BEETs program.
Click here for more information on how you can join our advisory board.
CommunityGrows thrives thanks to the unwavering dedication of our staff, advisory team, volunteers, and many others. Their efforts are indispensable to our success.