La Luz Center

Juan Hernandez

Executive Director

Born and raised in the barrio of East Los Angeles, Juan is completely bi-lingual and bi-cultural. He is a counselor, coach, and a seasoned advocate for youth and community outreach. He earned a B.A. degree from UC Riverside, a Fellowship in Management Leadership from New York, and an M.A. in Psychology and Organization Development from Sonoma State University. He most recently served as Director of Educational Programs at the Calistoga Family Center, an organization that, much like La Luz, works to create successful families and integrate them into the community. While in Calistoga, he was recently elected to the board of the Napa Community Foundation and the Napa Valley Hispanic Network. His wife Veronica is a high school Spanish teacher.

Kara Reyes

Program Director

Born and raised in Sonoma, Kara is a graduate of Sonoma Valley High School and Sonoma State University, where she received a B.A. in Spanish and International Studies. She first learned Spanish while living in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and later studied at the University of Seville in Seville, Spain. Kara started working as Client Service Coordinator at La Luz and then became a Family Advocate. Now in her tenth year, she also coordinates La Luz’s many programs. In addition to her duties at La Luz, Kara is a busy mother of two young boys and a member of both the Redevelopment Advisory Committee for the Springs Area and the Sonoma Law Enforcement Advisory Committee.

Maricarmen Reyes Larios

Coordinator of Educational Programs, Family Advocate

Daughter of Mexican immigrant parents, Maricarmen was born in Sonoma Valley in 1981. In 2000 she graduated from Sonoma Valley High School and was fortunate to receive a La Luz Center Scholarship. In 2005 after having worked five wonderful years for Migrant Education California MIni-Corps she graduate with Bachelor of Arts Degree in Chicano and Latino Studies from Sonoma State University

Michele Alba

Community Outreach & Vineyard Worker Services Coordinator

Michele is a resident of Glen Ellen, born of Spanish immigrant parents who had originally emigrated to the Mid-West. She came to the Bay Area in 1995 to work as an interpreter and fell in love with California, particularly the Sonoma Valley where she has made her home for over 10 years. Michele holds a B.A. degree in English Literature from the University of La Verne, CA, as well as a D.E.L.E. Superior in Spanish Language from Universidad de Salamanca. She brings a strong background in community service and education to her position at La Luz.

Sharon Somogyi

Office Manager

Sharon moved to Sonoma in 1993 and fell in love with the beauty of the valley, the culture and the sense of community. A lifelong believer in the value of strong communities, Sharon has spent her career in the non-profit world, over 25 of those years with Boys & Girls Clubs. Sharon brings a diverse background in programs, operations and development to La Luz. In addition to working with the staff and board at La Luz, Sharon enjoys spending time with her grandson and volunteering for various events and charities.

Daniel Pignataro

Computer Learning Center Coordinator

Daniel is the staff member in charge of the Computer Literacy Program. He has a degree in Graphic Design and extensive experience in information technology. Daniel has been involved in education since 2002 and his teaching experience includes teaching computer literacy and intervention classes in reading, writing, and math for elementary students (K-5) at Flowery School, and running a computer class for adults at La Luz Center since 2003.

Maria E. Calvillo Moncada

Receptionist and Client Resource Assistant

Maria was born in Zirahuen, Michoacán, Mexico, and came to Sonoma when she was seven years old. She attended all local schools and graduated from Sonoma Valley High School in 2000. As a young child, she remembers accompanying her mother to La Luz for services. Maria began working at age 16 and has developed a strong work ethic. She has been a bilingual teacher assistant at Sonoma Valley High School and a teller at Banco de Sonoma for four years, where her goal was to always provide the best customer service. Maria loves helping the wide spectrum of people from many cultures who come to La Luz.

Maritza Barajas

Family Advocate

Maritza was born in Tepatitlán, Morelos, Jalisco, and came to Sonoma when she was 9 months old. Maritza attended all local schools and graduated from Sonoma Valley High School in 2006. After attending Santa Rosa Junior College, she decided to volunteer at La Luz Center, to give back to the community that had welcomed her with open arms. She was hired as La Luz’s Receptionist in 2010, and has since been promoted to Family Advocate where she can assist clients with more in-depth counseling. In addition to her duties at La Luz, Maritza spends her time with her young son, her husband Miguel and their three horses. This year, Maritza is proud to have become a U.S. Citizen!

Alyson Therres

Volunteer Coordinator

Alyson was born and raised in a small town in Maryland. She studied Graphic Design and Marketing at James Madison University in Virginia. After graduation she went to Costa Rica, where she spent two years traveling, teaching English and coordinating a children’s program in Centro de Idiomas Intercultura. While at the school she established a volunteer training program to encourage and train foreign students to work in Costa Rican schools.

Alyson enjoys spending her free time outside, photographing nature and creating jewelry. Her goal is to enhance La Luz’s many programs by providing increased support from community volunteers.