Meet our Staff
California Hands & Voices Executive Director
Cora and her husband are proud parents to an adult daughter and two sons. Her oldest daughter was born with gastroschisis and her sons were both born with a moderately severe hearing level. Cora is a founding board member of California Hands & Voices and a graduate of the Hands & Voices Leader to Leader to Leader Program. She previously worked as a Parent Mentor with Parent Links and as an Interpreter at Wichita State University. Cora was awarded the 2014 Lee Katz Award (ASDC) and 2017 Parent of the Year award (CAL-ED) in honor of her commitment to ensuring no family walks this journey alone.
email cshahid@carescprc.org
Finance Specialist
Kat and her husband Stan live in Redding, California, and they have 3 grown children and 2 grandchildren. Dylan is their youngest child and is Deaf. Kat recently retired as the Executive Director at Rowell Family Empowerment of No. California, a non-profit, IDEA funded Parent Center that provides support, information and training to families who have children with diverse abilities. Kat currently volunteers as one of the California Hands & Voices ASTra Advocates.
Bilingual Parent Guide (Spanish/English)
pgomez@carescprc.org
Patricia Gomez is a Bilingual Parent Guide at CARES. She is a mother of four: two boys and two girls. Her oldest daughter was diagnosed with leukemia in 2008. Due to the chemotherapy, she received, she was left with a specific learning disability. Patricia’s greatest achievement in life is being able to understand and help her daughter thrive. Another significant achievement is being able to learn and help other families, meet them where they are, and guide them.
Professionally, she graduated from UEI College as a Medical Office Specialist. One of her goals is to help parents who have kids with disabilities and share the knowledge she has acquired over the years. Her second goal is to gain more knowledge to grow professionally in this career. Her favorite hobbies are baking and cooking. Her dream is to help other families and guide them on their journey.
“Each child Shines in its own way it is up to us to us as parent to help them shine.”
Bilingual Parent Guide (Spanish/English)
CPartida@carescprc.org
Catalina Partida joins the CARES CPRC team as a Bilingual Parent Guide serving both Imperial and San Diego Counties. She is a wife and mother of two beautiful children with special needs who brings extensive professional and personal knowledge to our team. Mrs. Partida obtained her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from San Jose State University. She also has worked with individuals who have multiple disabilities in numerous settings covering various demographics that range from pediatrics to geriatrics. She strives in helping individuals reach their maximum level of independence in their homes, communities, and educational settings by engaging individuals in meaningful activities. Mrs. Partida’s passion entails the empowerment of families to become the voices of their children.
“All kids need is a little help, a little hope, and someone who believes in them.” -Magic Johnson
Myra Cullum
MCullum@cahandsandvoices.org
English/ASL
Myra Cullum, born and raised in Texas, began her professional career teaching Elementary Music in San Antonio, TX. Her passion for teaching runs deep and has taken her around the world. She is grateful for teaching experiences in countries like Thailand, Kenya, Romania, and from coast to coast in America. In 2000 she met her husband Andrew in North County San Diego. Myra’s journey into the world of Deaf and Hard of Hearing began in 2004 with the birth of their second child, who has a severe/profound bi-lateral hearing loss and special needs. Surviving the years of testing, hearing aid fittings, surgeries, therapy visits, and later -countless IEP meetings, all contribute to Myra’s passion for teaching others with DHH children how to navigate the system. Grateful for the support CAH&V has given her family, Myra is eager to encourage others as an ASTra Advocate.
Amanda Jones, Amanda@cahandsandvoices.org
Administrative Assistant: Amanda Jones has over a decade of experience in executive support, project management, and marketing operations. With a strong background in team leadership, digital tools, and strategic execution, Amanda specializes in streamlining systems and driving organizational growth. She currently leads planning initiatives at SizzleForce Marketing, where she manages cross-functional teams, develops business strategies, and ensures smooth day-to-day operations.
Contact the Board President: KCain@cahandsandvoices.org
Meet our Board by visiting https://cahandsandvoices.org/board-of-directors/