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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-1229 HHSC App - Lujan Valerio December 27, 2016 RE: Housing and Human Services Commission To Whom It May Concern: Please allow this correspondence to serve as an application for a Housing and Human Services Commission position. I came across this opportunity by receiving student encouragement and viewing the open applications for upcoming terms. I am currently a workers compensation assistant at a local consulting firm. I was previously employed as an immigration paralegal for the last three years for a non-profit law firm. I believe that it is time to expand my knowledge and implement what I have learned as a community leader into this commission. I have had the privilege of working as a paralegal for the past three years with a non-profit law firm in Medford. I believe that my experience in case management at this firm can be well transitioned to the mission and goals of this commission. As a paralegal, I have the pleasure of working with a large number of clients that faced housing discrimination. Additionally, I have experience working as a Southern Oregon University Senator which allowed me to work closely with students that faced housing discrimination and with budgetary entities and have been in charge of handling and allocating over $600,000 to multiple clubs/organizations at Southern Oregon University. I am also currently Co-Chair of Unite Oregon's Board of Directors, a newly merged nonprofit organization. As Co-Chair, I take part on allocating and approving a budget that is over $1,000,000 to better our mission for social justice, including housing. After working for nonprofit organizations throughout the valley, I have come to cherish the work of so many to better the lives of others. I believe I can become a great asset to this commission and translate what I have learned to this position. Attached you will find a copy of my resume. Thank you for your time and consideration. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions or concerns. Sincerely, ,X;ga:~~5 Ricardo Lujan Valerio &; E3 Y.- CITY OF ASHLAND APPLICATION FOR APPOINTMENT TO CITY COMMISSION/COMMITTEE Please type or print answers to the following questions and submit to the City Recorder at City Hall, 20 E Main Street, or email christebLtashland.or.us. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the City Recorder at 488-5307. Attach additional sheets if necessary. Name: Ricardo Luian Valerio Requesting to serve on: Housing and Human Services Commission Address: 155 Brooks Lane, Ashland, OR 97520 Occupation: Return-To-Work Assistant Phone: Home: 760.810,2121 Work: 541.488.0162 Email: rlujan a,returntowork.com Fax: N/A 1. Education Background What schools have you attended? Ashland High School (2012); Rogue Community College (2015); Southern Oregon University (Current - 20171. What degrees do you hold? High School Diploma; Associate of Science Degree in Business. What additional training or education have you had that would apply to this position? Rogue Community College Employment Certificate - Legal Assistant; Southern Oregon University - Business, Communication, and Environmental Studies Senator (Fair Housing Committee Member). 2. Related Experience What prior work experience have you had that would help you if you were appointed to this position? As a student leader for the past two years, I have served in student government bodies that discuss and advocate for student housing rights. Furthermore, being a former bilingual immigration paralegal at a nonprofit law firm in Medford, I had the privilege of working with a housing attorney in multiple cases. I believe that my insight as a Southern Oregon University student leader and my experience as a former paralegal for a firm that deals with housing discrimination can become an asset for the Housing and Human Services Commission. Do you feel it would be advantageous for you to have further training in this field, such as attending conferences or seminars? Why? I do believe it would be advantageous due to the fact that there is much to learn about housing and human services. If I were to serve in this commission, I would take advantage off all training resources. WrIal 3. Interests Why are you applying for this position? As a college student leader, I have frequent encounter with my constituency in regards to housing in Ashland. They ask if student government can do anything about it. As a student leader, I was a part of a committee that worked with Ashland in order to address this issue. I plan on continuing the work of this committee to bridge the gap between Ashland's governing body and the student voice. 4. Availability Are you available to attend special meetings, in addition to the regularly scheduled meetings? Do you prefer day or evening meetings? As a member of this body, I would prioritize commission meetings in my schedule. I will make myself available to all required meetings. I prefer evening meeting times. 5. Additional Information How long have you lived in this community? I have lived in the city of Ashland since 2010. Please use the space below to summarize any additional qualifications you have for this position In addition to my student government leadership and paralegal experience, I have been the Co-Chair of Unite Oregon, a social justice nonprofit organization in the state of Oregon. As the organization's Co-Chair, I am in charge of facilitating our state board meetings and overseeing the operations of the organization. Unite Oregon operates throughout the state of Oregon and is composed of three branches, which are dispersed in the northern and southern part of the state. As a community leader, I have worked in fair housing campaigns that advocate for housing affordability and availability. I have had the pleasure of working closely with our state leaders in different legislative initiatives and hope to continue that work at a more local level. I believe my leadership and expertise in the social justice world can become a great asset to this body. I want to thank you for your time and consideration for my candidacy. December 27, 2016 Date Signaf i jw- ~ Ricardo Lujan Valerio 155 Brooks Lane Ashland, OR 97520 (760) 810-2121 ricardolujan@live.com Experience Center for Non-Profit Legal Services, Inc. (Paralegal) September 2013 to July 2016 -Assist in the completion of various immigration packets; -Translate civil documents from Spanish to English; -Assist with client consultations and case discussions with attorney; and -Conduct phone conversations with clients in regards to their case. Idiart Law Group, LLC (Immigration Intern) August 2013 to September 2013 -Assisted in the completion of various immigration packets; -Translated civil documents from Spanish to English; and -Sat in on client consultations and case discussions with attorney. Immigration/DREAM Activist (Spokesperson) September 2009 to Present -Presentations to area students and parents on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Immigration Reform,- -Taught class Youth and the March to Immigration Reform with John Almaguer at Southern Oregon University; and -Participated and spoke at legislative hearings on immigration issues such as Tuition Equity at state capital. Unite Oregon (State Board Co-Chair and Chapter Board Member) September 2014 to Present -Review and approval of the organization's budget as state board member; -Organized local campaign for measure 88 (Canvassing) and other social justice issues; and -Aid staff members in any way possible and vote on decisions regarding the organization's operations. Pearson Student Advisory Board (Board Member) June 2016 to Present -Project Leader for multiple pilot programs; and -Product testing. Extracurricular Activities Southern Oregon University Student Government (Business, Comm., and Environmental Studies Senator) September 2015 - Present -Address current concerns from constituents to student government and university administration/faculty; and -Aid business, communications, and environmental science students and provide a better learning environment. Educational Activities Advisory Committee (Committee Chair) January 2016 - Present -Responsible for allocating over $600,000 of student funds to multiple student-led programs at Southern Oregon University; and -Coordinating committee meetings, providing guidance, order, budgetary knowledge, and proposing funding decisions. Education Rogue Community College (Associate of Science in Business) Graduation: June 2015 Rogue Community College (Certificate, March 2014) Employment Skills Training - Legal Assistant Southern Oregon University (Business Management) Current year: Senior Microsoft Office Specialist (Excel 2013) References John Almaguer, Idiart Law Group LLC. Attorney, 541-772-6969 Joshua Medina, Former CNPLS, INC. Attorney, 541-622-9318