Our Stories

At 16 years old, Melinda was in a car accident and hospitalized. She was pronounced brain dead and conversations were initiated about what the next steps were as she was on life support. All seemed hopeless and her family prepared to grieve. However, Melinda’s sister had caught out of the corner of her eye Melinda’s hand moving. Startled and curious, the sister grabbed Melinda’s hand and “listened.” Melinda was finger spelling “hurt” onto the palm of her sister’s hand over and over.

Michael is the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist at Alta California Regional Center. He began the position in February 2024, but he has a lifetime of experience as a member of the deaf community. He recognizes the value of having a deaf person available to deaf and hard of hearing clients because he understands the unique cultural components of the community.

Maria began at Alta California Regional Center in 2020, right before the start of the pandemic. She has experience working with young children, and prior to her transition to a Service Coordinator at the regional center, she worked in Emergency Response at Child Protective Services. Her career has been built on helping others and providing them the space to feel comfortable in seeking help.

Ye has worked as a Service Coordinator at Alta California Regional Center for over a year. As a bilingual Service Coordinator, she can communicate with Mandarin speaking clients to help them better understand services. She enjoys working at ACRC because of the supportive team and overall positive working environment, along with helping the families and clients on her caseload.

Asya is a highly educated person who has obtained multiple degrees including an MBA, in Healthcare Administration, Bachelor’s in Science, and Associates in Arts. She intended to become a nurse while she was studying but found that life took her on the path of entrepreneurship with the goal in mind to help people. While living in Chicago, Asya started a cleaning company, and a personal Assistant company with a goal to hire those in need of employment facing homelessness, and home aids who support the elderly in their homes.

Wayne met the love of his life, Chrissy, in junior high school and it was love at first sight. Since then, they have been inseparable. They have a date night once a week to go see a movie, go out to dinner, or take a leisurely stroll in the park. When they are not physically together, they connect virtually by texting or calling throughout the day. Chrissy also enjoys writing Wayne daily love letters and he is always happy to receive them.

Tiffany’s path as Service Coordinator at Alta California Regional Center wasn’t direct but was fated after her son was diagnosed with autism. She attended California State University, Sacramento and received a Bachelor’s in English Literature. After Tiffany had her son, Sam, he was diagnosed with autism at three years old and was nonverbal, and they struggled to get help for the things they needed. Tiffany sought the help of Lucee Phan, Service Coordinator, and Jennifer Bloom, the now Director of Client Services, and received so much help.

Kellen struggled with managing emotions, socialization, and being disciplined but he and his parents were intent on finding an option that could help him. Then in 2021, purchase of social recreation services was restored after over a decade of regional centers being prohibited from purchasing it for clients. With this option available again, they decided it would be great for Kellen to try a social recreation activity.

Aileen celebrates her heritage daily as a member of the Hoopa Tribe in Burney Falls. At two years old, she was adopted after her biological parents had to renounce their care for Aileen. She was separated from her culture for many years after being adopted as her adoptive parents are White, but through her aunt, Aileen learned about where she came from.