Chau Truong, Accountant & Payroll Administrator
Chau has a Bachelor of Business management from the University of Massachusetts. An immigrant from Vietnam provides financial and administrative support to the Executive Director. Other responsibilities include but are not limited to bookkeeping and other financial management tasks such as maintaining general ledger, recording deposits, accounts payable, and accounts receivable transactions. As required she submits payroll information to ADP and maintains payroll records. She also maintains adequate internal control, and prepares monthly financial reports for Executive Director and Board, and assists in developing program and agency budgets.

Lucia Lopez - Kodis. With almost 20 years of continuous educative experience at different levels, Lucia is from Peru and came to the United States in 2008. Although she arrived first to Maine, she made her residence in Boston for almost 4 years. Lucia has a bachelors Degree in Education with specialty in Arts and Graphical Design, from the National University Enrique Guzmán and Valle de Lima - Peru. Later she obtained a Masters in Educative Management and Education of Adults in the Graduate School of the same University. In addition she has had specialized studies in Educative Computer Science at the University of Santiago of Chile. Lucia came as a voluntary to ASPIRES in June 2008, instructing Art classes and Craftsmanship. Lucia recently assumed the Interim Coordinator for Aspires.

Luisa Chew, Immigration Coordinator
Luisa immigrated to the U.S. from Guatemala in 1983. She attended the Guatemalan Commercial Institute where she earned the degree of Bilingual Secretary. In 1980 attended San Carlos University of Guatemala, where she studied Psychology. She worked in human resources before coming to EBECC. She started as a receptionist and in 2003 she was given the position of Immigration Counselor, and in 2009 she was promoted to Immigration Coordinator. Luisa has been accredited by the Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Erika Sanchez, Parents Organizer
Erika came to the U.S. from El Salvador in 1991 and joined EBECC in 2006. Erika is a member of the Boston United for Students Coalition, and the East Boston Parents Organizing project based at EBECC. She has children in the Boston Public Schools and brings direct experience and insight into issues affecting parents and the quality education received by children at BPS.

Argentina Ochoa, Immigration Counselor
Originally from Honduras, Argentina Ochoa, Immigration Counselor, started at EBECC 2 years ago as Administrative Assistant of the department. Bilingual in Spanish/English, immigrated to the U.S. 18 years ago.  She has worked as a Temporary Immigration Counselor to process TPS and as a volunteer at EBECC. Prior to joining EBECC, she worked at the Fleet Bank of Boston in Customer Services helping immigrant to secure loans or other financial services. Argentina is a license day care provider, and is working toward her accreditation with the Executive Office of Immigration Review.

Evelyn Calderon, Social Worker
Evelyn has a bachelor's degree in psychology and just started her clinical and case management experience with Latino children, adolescents, and families for EBECC. 

Vacant, Computer Lab Supervisor

Keylin Chicas, Homework Help Assistant

Keylin was born in a small town in El Salvador named Loma Larga. She came to the US in 2009 and is attending Quincy College working towards her degree in Criminal Justice. When arriving at Boston, she began to study in the 11 grade in East Boston High School. She confronted difficulties with the English language at first, but with effort and commitment se graduated from high school with honors. Keylin began to work part-time for EBECC in September of 2010 in the program of ASPIRES helping her peers with homework and providing leadership for reaching their goals to finish high school and attend college. As a homework Coordinator she assists ASPIRE participants in completing homework assignments, and responds to questions and requests.  Keylin offers assistance to students who may be hesitant about asking for it.  A key role is to promot good study skills and habits, and helping to maintain a quiet, orderly atmosphere in the Youth Center that is conducive to studying.

Elba Portillo, Lead Babysitter
An immigrant from El Salvador, Elba is the mother of two.  She graduated from EBECC’s Latina ESL Program and lives in East Boston.  In charge of EBECC’s babysitting services, Elba has worked part-time at EBECC since 1999.

Rosa Pineda, Administrative Assistant
Rosa came to this country from El Salvador in 2009. She has worked part-time at EBECC since 2010. Rosa support the Executive Director, Administration and other senior managers by coordinating office services such as job opportunity enquires, housekeeping, maintain personnel files, and other minor administrative tasks as instructed. Rosa facilitates and routes communications from and to the Board of Directors to the Executive Director. She maintains and schedules appointments for ED and Immigration Counselors, and gives information to callers concerning services availability. In addition she supports front-desk office activities of EBECC, performing variety of clerical duties utilizing knowledge of systems or procedures.

Paula Virtue, Latina ESL Coordinator

Paula has a bachelor’s degree in education and 11 years of experience in human service and teaching in Chile.  Paula has over 40 years of teaching experience, including 10 years in Chile and over 20 years with the Latina ESOL Program. She is fluent in Spanish and English.  In addition, Accredited by the Board of Immigration Appeals. Paula’s experience and work in Latin America made her realize that Latino newcomers, particularly women, once in this country, need help to be able to function effectively so that they can maintain the well being of their families, achieve self-sufficiency, and participate in the mainstream community. Paula has come to know the concerns and individual stories of struggle and suffering of some of her students at the Latina ESL program. To foster better understanding of Latino Women’s struggles and barriers, Paula pioneered the establishment of the Latina ESL project in 1989.

Marcella Maffeo Robinson, Latina ESL Teacher. Marcella has a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Massachusetts. She is the ESOL teacher for Levels II and III. Marcella has 14 years of ESOL experience and lived in Mexico for 2 years.  She plans and teaches Levels II and III of the Latina Program.  She also administers and corrects student tests, assists with curriculum development and participates in program development and evaluating activities. Marcella recently implemented EBECC's US Citizenship School program.