Staff

Joseph M. Michaels
President and Executive Director

Joseph M. Michaels has been active in all phases of multi-family development with an emphasis in affordable housing and social services for over 30 years.

In 2006, Mr. Michaels formed Communities Advocating for Resident Empowerment (C.A.R.E.), through an association with Las Palmas Housing, a real estate development company specializing in the development and long-term ownership of affordable rental housing. In providing solutions to the affordable housing challenge, the principals of Las Palmas recognized that besides building safe, secure neighborhoods, that enhancing the lives of residents through social service programming is essential.

C.A.R.E., a California 501 (c) 3 non-profit charitable corporation provides children, youth, families and seniors living in affordable housing communities with critical social services and programs that reinforce self-empowerment, foster economic independence and encourage community involvement.

A graduate of Loyola Marymount University with a Bachelor in Business Administration degree, Mr. Michaels also received from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), the Certificate of Real Estate with a specialization in Finance.   He is a licensed California Real Estate Broker.

Leslie A. Michaels
Vice President of Marketing and Operations

Ms. Michaels has over 30 years’ experience in operations and business development. She provides day-to-day management of several key functions – Human Resources, Accounting, Payroll, Information Technology (MIS), and Office Services. Ms. Michaels also oversees creation and implementation of organizational policies, as well as media, community relations, and publication development.

Ms. Michaels holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern California (USC). She has served on the board of several charitable organizations. Additionally, Ms. Michaels volunteers as the Chapter Adviser for Alpha Omicron Pi women’s sorority at California State University, San Marcos (CSUSM).  She is a five-time nominee for CSUSM’s Tukwut Leadership Adviser of the Year award and was awarded Most Outstanding Alumna from the Fraternity and Sorority Life Award committee.

Mary White
Manager of Social Services.

Ms. White has principal responsibility for implementing and overseeing our social service programs. These programs include supportive services, on site senior service coordination, adult education, and youth and teen education, mentoring and empowerment, after school programs, and recreational programming. As well as working with on-site apartment management, residents and local third party agencies, to setup working relationships and policies that promote resident services. Ms. White is responsible for interviewing, hiring, and training staff, independent contractors, and volunteers. She also assists in establishing policies and procedures, planning and administering budgets, supervising staff, and collecting data and other information to evaluate program impact. Ms. White manages our social media platforms, planning for execution of marketing strategies and community management.

Ms. White received her Bachelor of Science degree from California State University, San Marcos in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management.

Felicia Nataresa
Resident Service Coordinator

Ms. Nataresa is the Resident Services Coordinator at Palm Springs Pointe Senior Apartments. She is an integral part to the onsite management team were she supports the residents’ independence and overall well-being by providing individual assessments, case management, crisis intervention, outreach and linkages to resources and organizations available within the community.

Ms. Nataresa’s background includes case planning and management, client advocacy, life-skills counseling, client needs assessment and response. Ms. Nataresa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of California, Riverside.

Maritza Ortiz
Resident Service Coordinator

Ms. Ortiz is currently the Resident Service Coordinator at Casa de Las Hermanitas in Los Angeles, California. She is committed to working with seniors and providing quality assistance for those she serves. She provides case management, advocacy, linkage to resources and needed supportive services, planning and organizing educational workshops/presentations.

Prior to joining CARE, Ms. Ortiz was an evidenced-based program coordinator at two non-profits that provided health self-management programming, case management, and information and referral services to seniors in the City of Los Angeles and throughout Los Angeles County.

She believes strongly in providing services to seniors that will enable them to continue to have a lifestyle with quality, independence, and dignity. Ms. Ortiz received a Bachelor in Science degree in Chicano Studies with a minor in Education from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Catherine Roberts
Resident Service Coordinator

Ms. Roberts is the Resident Services Coordinator at Bethlehem Towers and Windham Village in Santa Rosa. She is an integral part to the onsite management team were she supports the residents’ independence and overall well-being by providing individual assessments, case management, crisis intervention, outreach and linkages to resources and organizations available within the community.

She studied Human Services, Drug and Alcohol Counseling, and Spanish at Santa Rosa Community College. Her background includes working at a rehabilitation facility, as a relief counselor at a homeless shelter, and at the Homeward Bound Facility in Novato. She is passionate about serving the low-income elderly community in Sonoma County.

Miriam Zazueta
Resident Service Coordinator

Ms. Zazueta is the Resident Service Coordinator at Indio Gardens Apartments in Indio, California. She is committed to working with seniors and providing quality assistance for those she serves. She provides case management, advocacy, linkage to resources and supportive services, planning and organizing educational workshops/presentations.

Prior to joining C.A.R.E., Ms. Zazueta was a Community Health Worker (CHW) at Indus Medical Associates, a primary care office in Rancho Mirage, California. As a CHW, Ms. Zazueta, provided case management, assisting chronic patients on how to navigate the healthcare system and overcome barriers to care, delivered information of health/wellness, and increased patient’s sense of control over their whole health.

Ms. Zazueta received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a concentration in Social Services from the California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB).

Kimberly Victoriano
Program Coordinator

Ms. Victoriano is the Activities Director at Hemet Vistas and Hemet Estates. She is currently running the after school programs as well as hosting educational workshops for the adult residents. She previously worked with high school students as a tutor and peer adviser helping to guide them towards the next steps of their lives after high school. Ms. Victoriano holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management and Human Resources from California Polytechnic State University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona).

Roxanne Hudgens
Program Coordinator

Ms. Hudgens is the Program Coordinator at Cedar Glen and Vista Rio apartment communities in Riverside, and Sterling Village apartments in San Bernardino. She provides afterschool programming for youth as well as educational and recreational programs for adults. Before working at C.A.R.E, she was a Peer Research Consultant at her university, and also assisted in the coordination of parenting classes for young mothers. Ms. Hudgens holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from California State University, San Bernardino. 

Kathryn Nguyen
Activities Coordinator

Ms. Nguyen is the Activities Coordinator for Bayview Landing in Newport Beach. She is responsible for the planning and implementation of activities for Bayview Landing residents. She has two decades of experience working with the elder population. Ms. Nguyen holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and a Master of Science in Gerontology. In addition, Ms. Nguyen is fluent in Vietnamese and can hold a conversation in American Sign Language.

Cindy Skinner
Activities Coordinator

Ms. Skinner is the Activities Coordinator at Bethlehem Towers and Windham Village in Santa Rosa where she is responsible for implementing activities and planning on-site events. Ms. Skinner is passionate about her residents, and believes providing activities to seniors will strengthen their independence and quality of life.

Ms. Skinner brings her residents together through a variety of activities including exercise classes, balance classes, memory games, life skill classes, painting, and arts and crafts. Ms. Skinner has over 10 years of experience working with the elderly population. Her background includes working with the American Red Cross and non-profit organizations in her community. Ms. Skinner holds an Associates of Science degree in Health Science and a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Physical Education.