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News/Noticias
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Contact Rachel Humphreys at 619.521.9900 / ECG at 562.624.2848
U.S. Marshal David Bejarano to Head
La Cuna Board. |
San Diego, CA (June 17, 2005) — United States Marshal of the Southern District of California David Bejarano has been unanimously elected chairman of La Cuna, Inc.’s board of directors.
"I am extremely honored to have the opportunity to contribute to this critical effort,” said Bejarano. “By ensuring youngsters are matched with loving families that provide a stable and culturally-relevant home experience, La Cuna is addressing the most critical factors affecting many of our community’s unparented children: the need for a strong sense of self and exposure to essential family values during their formative years,” he explained.
He joins Vice Chair and Legal Counsel Melissa Diaz (Deputy District Attorney, County of San Diego), Secretary Yvonne Silva (Multi-cultural Events Coordinator, The San Diego Union-Tribune), Treasurer Paul Watson Jr., (Organizational Development Consultant, Watson & Associates International), and ex-officio member Rachel Humphreys (Founder and Executive Director of La Cuna) on the board’s executive committee.
Bejarano is the former Chief of Police of the San Diego Police Department and an active member of several community and professional organizations throughout San Diego County and the nation. President George W. Bush appointed Marshal Bejarano April 10, 2003, to one of the busiest jurisdictions in the nation in terms of federal prisoners and fugitive apprehensions.
“We are extremely pleased to have Marshal Bejarano join our policy-making board,” said Ms. Humphreys. “His proven leadership and national prominence are the perfect blend of leadership skills to take La Cuna to its next level of development; where we can work to affect change and advocate locally — and at state and national levels — to ensure Latino foster kids and parents have a chance to experience a positive home life.”
The San Diego, CA-based organization became a fully-licensed State of California Foster Family Agency in April of this year and placed its first two babies with La Cuna-certified parents in May. The agency requires that prospective foster parents undergo a thorough background check, home study and extensive interviewing.
According to Humphreys, "La Cuna's staff and volunteers are committed to one basic goal: that each infant or toddler entering our system be placed in a long-term, loving and culturally-enriching family environment.”
La Cuna offers a specialized foster parent training program and although the agency focuses on Latino children, all prospective foster parents are welcome, regardless of ethnicity. An orientation on foster parenting is scheduled for Friday, June 17th at 5:30 p.m. For more information or registration for the free orientation class, call La Cuna at: 619.521.9900 or visit its web site at: www.lacuna.org.
About La Cuna
In Spanish, cuna means "crib" or "cradle"— a place of safety and comfort for babies. La Cuna’s goal is to create awareness and concern within the community about the issues surrounding Latino foster children, and to make these “at risk” youngsters a higher priority.
Established in 2003, to address the shortage of quality foster homes serving Latino infants and toddlers, La Cuna is dedicated to developing public practices that allow foster infants access to healthy and culturally-relevant home environments. La Cuna also evaluates related foster care programs throughout California to identify best practices that can improve the lives of Latino foster infants and their parents.
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