History

In 2003, a group of concerned citizens, lead by Rachel Humphreys, joined together to form La Cuna. The first 18 months was spent working on the licensing requirement to become a Foster Family Agency. Simultaneously, the Board and Humphreys conducted a comprehensive needs assessment, designed a marketing and fundraising plan, developed a foster parent training program to address the cultural and linguistic needs of babies, and recruited the first class of foster parents. In April 2005, La Cuna received its licensure, and the first foster child was placed.

Program Leadership

Rachel Humphreys, Founder, Executive Director - Humphreys holds a bachelor's degree in Spanish from the Purdue University and a Master of Arts degree in Latin American Studies from the University of Arizona. Humphreys has a 17-year history of commitment to projects that bring critical resources to underserved youth populations. She began working with children in the Cabrini Green Projects in Chicago, and later worked with gang populations in Tucson. In San Diego, Humphreys has directed youth programs and advocated for the rights of children over the past ten years. As the Executive Director of La Cuna, her responsibilities include compliance with State and County requirements, advocacy on behalf of foster children, foster parent recruitment, overseeing the agency's operations, building a strong board of directors, fundraising and marketing. Ms. Humphreys is bilingual (English/Spanish).

Judith Froehlich, MS. Program Administrator - Judy holds a Master of Science Degree from San Diego State University. She has primarily worked in direct service delivery with socio-economic, racially, and ethnically diverse populations of San Diego's youth and families for 14 years. She has focused all aspects of her work to maintain the highest level of cultural competence working within many community based social service organizations. Over the last five years Judy has worked in the area of program development and administration. Her role on La Cuna's team is to focus on building program infrastructure and systems, as well as program support services aimed at enhancing the foster parenting experience and ultimately the health, well-being and stability of all our La Cuna foster children.

Silvia Aguayo-Lopez, Ph.D. MFT, Senior Social Worker - has 15 years experience working with families in San Diego County and in Mexicowith Desarollo Integral de la Familia (the Mexican version of US DHHS). Her certifications and professional background includes work in the areas of clinical psychology, child psychotherapy, play therapy, sexual abuse & neglect, domestic violence, alcohol & drug rehab, group facilitation, and case management. Additionally Dr. Aguayo is a professional "adult-learning" trainer. Dr. Aguayo' has a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from CETYS University in Mexico, and an MA in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling from the University of San Diego. At La Cuna, Dr. Aguayo provides assessments and therapeutic services to La Cuna families. She also provides Senior-level social work. Dr. Aguayo-Lopez is bilingual (English/Spanish).

Lorraine Ramirez, Executive Assistant - holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from UCSD. She has a passion for helping very young children and under-served communities and this has included being a volunteer at the Polinsky Children's Center, a counseling intern at Gompers Middle School, an intern working with pre-school aged children at the First Unitarian Church, and a volunteer with the United Samaritans. She was additionally a student key-note speaker in 2005 at the Hispanic Educational Conference in Northern California. Lorraine is a special assistant to the Executive Director and also specializes in operational systems such as bookkeeping and managing donor software. Ms. Ramirez is bilingual (English/Spanish).

Morgan Vanderpool, Social Worker/Program Support - BA in Human Development and a Minor in Latin American Studies from UCSD. She graduated from college in June of 2007. She spent six months abroad while in college, studying at the Potntificia Universidad Catolica de Chile. Prior to working with La Cuna she worked as a case manager for San Diego Youth & Community Services for nine months until a grant there expired. She developed her passion for community outreach through extended church-related community work in Mexico. Ms. Vanderpool is bilingual (English/Spanish).

La Cuna Board of Directors »