Jim Tetreau
Founder & Project Director

Jim is a writer.

Don Anderson Jr.
Co-Founder, Retired 2023

Don is an artist.

Issac Benavente
Facilities Manager | Academic Instructor

Being involved with Strive since he was in third grade, Isaac Benavente is proud and grateful to consider Strive a crucial part of his life. He thanks Jim and Don for allowing him to explore his options to an occupational extent through creative projects and tutoring with the students. Isaac has high hopes for Strive for generations to come!

"I love the atmosphere at Strive, and I will always consider it a home away from home." 

Genesis Benavente
Kitchen Staff | Academic Assistant

Born and raised in the city of Watts, California. She is currently attending UAGC to earn her BA in Psychology. Using her work experience at Strive, she aspires to one day become a Child Therapist. Genesis attended Strive when she was young and has learned many skills and has experienced many memorable moments of which she hopes to apply now as a TA.

“Seeing the way Strive has evolved throughout the years makes me feel optimistic about the future of Strive’s children.”

Soledad Campos
Program Concierge

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Soledad received her AA at Los Angeles Trade Tech. Soledad was a student at Strive when she was a child and returned to Strive as a volunteer. She is now part of our staff and has worked at Strive since 2015, sharing her passion for baking. Soledad got to see how much Strive has grown over the years and is thankful that there is a place where kids can come and get the education and love they need from their teachers. She's even more grateful to Don and Jim for giving her this opportunity to work for her community.

"I hope there are many more years to come!"

Karina Cedillo
Academic Instructor

Born in Los Angeles from a Mexican family. I graduated from UC Irvine with a double major in International Studies and Spanish. I taught English in Madrid, Spain for six years. I have traveled all over Europe,but I came back because it was time to come back home and give back to the community. I have always loved helping out and teaching so working at Strive I get to do two things that I love. 

Roland Eavey, MD/MBA
Music Faculty

Roland Eavey grew up in Boston, MA. He attended Princeton University, where he graduated magna cum laude, was the editor of a campus publication, and received the Comprehensive Prize in the English Department. Roland taught English as a second language in Buenos Aires, Argentina, for a year. Later, he moved to Hollywood and worked for two years on the pre-production of what would later become the movie Avatar. He attended medical school and business school at UCLA.

Throughout college and afterward, Roland had always enjoyed teaching and tutoring more than anything else, and so Roland decided to return to music education after graduate school.

Emily Estrada
Academic Instructor | Social Media Manager | Information Technician

Born and raised in Watts, Emily attended Strive as a student and has now returned as a devoted teacher. She's thankful for this opportunity and helps provide a safe space for Strive families.

“Strive is truly such a special place and I’m excited every day to be a part of it” 

Josué Louis Mancía
Director of Grants and Development | Music Faculty, Chair

Josué Mancía is an experienced educator and conductor who has taught in various art programs, school districts, after-school programs, and local communities throughout Southern California.

Devoted to spreading his passion for art and education with Strive students, Josué aims to lead students to excel in academic achievement, leadership, and artistic expectation.

Claudia Mercado
Academic Instructor

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Claudia obtained her bachelor’s degree in Human Development from California State University, Long Beach. After completing her undergraduate degree, she enrolled in a post-baccalaureate premedical program. Claudia's next educational goal is to enroll in medical school to pursue a medical degree. In addition to her passion for medicine, she is also passionate about education. She is excited to be a part of Strive to help inspire and empower students to reach their full potential. She hopes to enhance their learning experience and help them achieve their educational goals. Whether it is through caring for patients or teaching students, she is committed to making a difference and helping others.

In her free time, Claudia enjoys traveling, reading, hiking, and trying new foods.

Janet Mijares
Program Manager

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Janet has experienced growing up in the inner city. She has worked hands-on with children of all ages and backgrounds in various mental and emotional situations and has successfully enriched the lives of the children; she wishes to continue this at Strive.

Edgar Nieto
Academic Instructor

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Edgar received his BA in liberal studies and minored in education from the University of California, Riverside. Being able to give back to his community and make a difference, he returned in hopes of influencing the upcoming generation.

Strive has become his home as he continues his studies in school counseling and will forever be grateful for this opportunity.

Eroica Rene
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA

Eroica is a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist under the supervision of Sheridan Henderson, LMFT. Using a psychodynamic perspective infused with insights and techniques from attachment, relational, humanistic, and narrative schools of therapy, Eroica works with adults and children and helps her clients attain greater insight into the sources of their distress and methods and tools for alleviating hurt and optimizing resilience. Eroica received her master’s degree in clinical psychology from Antioch University in Los Angeles with a focus on child psychology, after undertaking extensive graduate work in psychology at Harvard Extension School and receiving a Certificate in Psychoanalytic Listening from the Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis.

Eroica has also completed coursework toward the UCSD Play Therapy certification.

Madeline Reyes
Academic Instructor

Madeline Reyes is a proud native of Lancaster, California, she is deeply committed to promoting equitable healthcare and educating individuals on how to advocate for their own health. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Public Health from California State University, Northridge, and furthered her studies with a Master of Public Health from the University of Southern California. Captivated by the community around USC and her love for working with children, she chose to channel her passion for public health into teaching and nurturing the next generation of advocates and leaders. Outside of her professional life, Madeline is an avid folklorico dancer with eight years of experience, and she also enjoys hiking, reading, and exploring new places.

Christopher Trevino
Academic Director

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Christopher has been teaching inner-city youth throughout Los Angeles for 6 years and counting. He received his bachelor’s from Cal State Fullerton in Science and is currently finishing his master's Degree in School Counseling. Christopher has worked with students of all levels including special education, elementary, middle, and high school.

His long-term goal is to become a Lead Counselor to help put our youth on the correct path for their education or career.