Alexis Garza, Aging with Vision Loss

Alexis Garza worked in law enforcement as a Community Services Officer and as a 911 Dispatcher at Cerritos College Police Department and then transferred to the UCLA Police Department.  She then transitioned and joined the Dayle McIntosh Center team as an ILS Counselor in 2010 and now provides Independent Living Skills training to individuals with vision loss as part of the Aging with Vision Loss Program. In her current position, Alexis has the opportunity to share her personal and professional knowledge on such topics as Daily Living Skills, Assistive Technology, and Self-Advocacy Training. 

Alexis’ personal life experience with her sister’s hearing impairment helped in understanding the necessity of others who help individuals with disabilities. She recognized the countless others who helped her sister adapt and be successful in life. Alexis is also a single mother to a beautiful thirteen year old daughter named Arianna, who is currently in the 7th grade and who has a love for anime and short stories.

Alexis has an Associates of Science in Administration of Justice from Cerritos College and is currently pursuing her B.A. in Psychology at Vanguard University of Southern California. She has interned in the past at the Norwalk State Metropolitan Hospital and at the Norwalk Sheriffs Department. She is currently interning at the Crystal Cathedral at their New Hope program as a Crisis Counselor.

Ann McClellan, South County Supervisor

Ann has been working at the Dayle McIntosh Center for 5 years. Initially she was under the Health Care Advocacy Program as a Health Care Access Program Coordinator. On February 4, 2007 she became Project Manager, Health Care Access. Since October 2007, Ann has been the Supervisor of the South County Office. In this position Ann provides and supervises the delivery of core services to South County residents (housing, information and referral, individual advocacy, etc.); coordinates and supervises outreach, education, and collaboration activities in the South County region; supervises the Independent Living Skills Coordinator in South County and the Benefits Advocate in the Garden Grove Office; and supports advocacy activities that address concerns of persons with disabilities.

Ann has been working with individuals with disabilities for 24 years.  Much of that time has been spent working with people with developmental disabilities. However, she previously also worked at Dayle McIntosh Center as an advocate.

Ann truly loves her work and finds satisfaction and fulfillment from advocating for consumers and seeing them reach their goals. Ann is a vigilant advocate for persons with disabilities and has devoted her career to provide her consumers with the best services possible.

Beverly Mastri, Benefits Advocate

Beverly provides assistance with Social Security applications and appeals and provides information and help with Medi-Cal, Food Stamps and In-Home Supportive Services. Beverly has been with Dayle McIntosh Center since April, 1999.

Previously, Beverly was employed for many years as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Her experience included counseling individuals with physical and/or intellectual disabilities

Cheryl Hopper, Independent Living Skills Coordinator

Cheryl Hopper has worked as an Independent Living Coordinator for the Dayle McIntosh Center since July of 2005. Cheryl works in the South County office and is the leader of the two monthly cross disability peer support groups which meet there. In her position as an Independent Living Coordinator she works with individual consumers to identify services and resources that they will need to be independent. Once identified, the IL Coordinator and consumer work on a plan so that the consumer knows what steps to take to start moving in the desired direction.  Each month the IL Coordinator also attends a number of meetings and does numerous outreaches so that other organizations and community service providers are aware of the services that the Dayle McIntosh Center offers

Erick Gonzalez, Aging with Vision Loss

Erick has three Associate of Arts degrees, double-majored in English and History California State University, Fullerton, and plans to pursue a Master of Arts at Chapman University in Counseling with a Pupil Personnel Services Credential in the near future.  He has also worked in education the past ten years.

He joined the Dayle McIntosh Center, as an ILS Counselor in 2010, and now provides Independent Living Skills training to Individuals with vision loss, as part of the Aging with Vision Loss Program.  Joining DMC has afforded him the opportunity to share his personal and professional knowledge on such topics as Daily Living Skills, Assistive Technology, and Self-Advocacy Training

Erin Woodmas, Computer Lab Trainer

Erin Woodmas has a bachelor’s degree in American Studies from CSUF and loves community in general. Her philosophy has always been home and neighborhood is what you make of it and reaching out to neighbors is essential for a happy community. She has been hired as the newly appointed Computer Lab Trainer for the North County Office located in Garden Grove. This position is responsible for training our consumers on many computer programs used in today’s work force as well as Assisted Technology software. She has always been an advocate for learning and feels honored to have been chosen to teach much needed computer skills to an audience that has been seriously underrepresented.

Jane Neglia , Aging with Vision Loss

Jane Neglia has been working with older adults in the field of low-vision for the past eight years.  Her position as Program Supervisor for the Aging with Vision Loss Program at the Dayle McIntosh Center, has afforded her the opportunity to share her personal and professional knowledge on such topics as Daily Living Skills, Assistive Technology, Braille Reading and Writing, and Self-Advocacy Training.  Jane was born legally blind, and at the age of 8 was diagnosed with a retinal degenerative eye disease called Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP).  Because Jane has personal life experience being a person with a visual impairment, she is also able to provide peer support to the seniors she assists, which is a vital part of her position at the Dayle McIntosh Center. 

Jane is also a graduate student at Cal State Fullerton in the field of Gerontology with an emphasis on Aging with a Disability.  For the past two years, she has volunteered her time as Secretary for the Orange County Chapter of the Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB).  She co-chairs the Disability Rights Workshop (DRW) planning committee, and is also a member of the Collaborative to End Abuse Against Individuals with Disabilities (CEAID).

Jane also has a wonderful partner, her Guide Dog Anja!  Please feel free to ask questions about her dog and/or their partnership.

Jose Alfaro, Information & Referral Coordinator

Jose Alfaro is the Information & Referral Coordinator for DMC. He has served on the 2-1-1 Orange County Steering Committee, the OC Hate Crime Victim Assistance Partnership, the OC Special Needs Commission and the Fiesta Educativa Advisory Committee while simultaneously serving as Co-Chairperson of the OC Collaborative to End Abuse of Individuals with Disabilities (CEAID). Jose has contributed voluntary interpretations and translation work at a variety of community events as well. Moreover, he has actively participated in the OC Human Relations annual Days of Dialogue and Walk in My Shoes seminars as well as having been fortunate enough to have played in the first local Visually Impaired/ Blind Golf Tournament.

Judy Gonzalez, Housing Coordinator (North County)

Judy Gonzalez arrived from Mexico at the age of 5 and is the second of ten children. Judy was born with mild cerebral palsy and even though she confronted many challenges, she has been an example for others to follow. She has been happily married for 13 years. Judy has been in the field of customer service for the past 24 years. This experience has helped her in her current position as the Housing Coordinator for DMC, for the past 2 1/2 years.

The Housing Program provides referrals for low-income housing alternatives such as shared and accessible housing. When available, rental assistance can be provided upon approval in order to prevent homelessness to people with disabilities. The Housing Coordinator also provides extensive resources and information in order to maintain self-sufficiency and independence.

Garnet Madden, Aging with Vision Loss

For most of my life I either owned or worked at a Data Entry Service Bureau where I had experience as an owner, supervisor, manager, programmer etc.  After my retirement I volunteered to work for WECARE who is sponsored by Americorp.  A position became available to me to work once a week at Dayle McIntosh Center.  This position led me to my current job which is as the Support Services Assistant for the Aging with Vision Loss (AVL) program.  The experience that I am receiving here is very rewarding and fulfilling. On a personal level I am the proud mother of two daughters.  My youngest Daughter is a lawyer and lives in San Diego.  My Son in law owns his own company which creates and manages a computer software for the Chiropractic industry.  They have two daughters ages eight and four.   My eldest Daughter and her two year old twins reside with me.  She is a middle school teacher.

Hazel Miller, Housing Coordinator (South County)

Hazel Miller works at Dayle McIntosh Center, South county office, as a Housing Coordinator, Olmstead Services Program.

The Housing Coordinator provides services for people who need help with finding Affordable, and Accessible Housing, she also provides assistance to people transitioning from institutions back into community living.

Inge Darling-Hartz, Interpreting Services

Inge Darling-Hartz joined DMC upon request from her disabled son, who was a member of the Clubhouse in 1998. She served as an intern while finishing her degree at CSU Fullerton.  Assigned to the Advocacy Department as an assistant to the Advocate, attending meetings, court dates, etc., She was hired after six months internship. The Interpreting Department asked for her to help  in the Interpreting Department and that is where she still is, either in the office or driving all over the counties visiting hospitals, schools and agencies requiring sign language interpreting services by distributing brochures and flyers to advertise our services.

Kari Anderson, Interpreting Services Superviosor

Kari Anderson is the Supervisor of our American Sign Language Interpreting Services. She has been active with the independent living movement for most of her life.  She enthusiastically joined our staff here at DMC in July 2009.

Lillian Santillanes, Interpreting Services

Lillian Santillanes is our Interpreting Services Coordinator, initially hired over five years ago for the Vocational Services department.  Interpreting Services recruited Lillian because of her past work experience in the hospital setting allowing our department to provide the best service to a large percentage of our customers in the medical field.  She views everyone the same regardless of a disability and always stays late to fill any last minute requests.

Maria A. Ramos, Mobility Coordinator

Maria Ramos is a seasoned transit professional with the breadth and depth in public transit which includes Transit operations and ADA compliance.  Most recently, Maria worked with OCTA as a Mobility Trainer to give the disabled and elderly the skills necessary to be independent and survive in the world we live in. 

In addition, Maria progressed through positions in which she developed expertise in Customer Service, Sales and Marketing, training and development, Medical Interpreting (Spanish) and Business Relations.

Michael Castillo, Mobility Management Program Supervisor

Michael has worked as the Mobility Management Program Supervisor since its inception in October 2009.  Michael provides trip planning & travel training services for people with disabilities and low income individual in Orange County.  His position has given him the opportunity to utilize the18 years of professional experience he has obtained in the transportation Industry as an Auditor, Pricing Analyst & Scheduler.

Michelle Rathswohl, Interpreting Services

Michelle Rathswohl is the Interpreting Services Specialist of our American Sign Language Interpreting Services Department. She joined our staff here at DMC in March 2005. She enjoys working with the teenagers at her Church, and playing with her children. She has a 12 year old son with Autism. He is one of the reasons she is now working at DMC and plans to get her degree in Social work. She wants to use her life experience teaching other parents how to advocate for their children. She also has a 2 year old daughter who is the sunshine in her life.

Paul Brennan, Aging with Vision Loss

I have been serving persons with disabilities in various capacities since 2003, having previously worked for the Office of Disabled Student Services at Cal State Fullerton as well as the Blind Children’s Learning Center. I completed my bachelors in psychology in 2003 and graduated with my Masters in Counseling in 2008. As a person living with a vision impairment, I recognize the value of providing our consumers with a combination of low vision aids, community based resources and peer support. I feel that my educational background and life experiences will allow me to make a lasting and meaningful impression upon our consumers. The AVL program clearly provides an invaluable source of support to older adults who are experiencing vision loss. I feel very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to be a part of DMC. In my free time, I enjoy playing the drums, collecting die cast car models, reading mysteries and walking dogs on a part-time basis. I would describe myself in three words as analytical, compassionate and cynical.