Wind Youth Services

Last but certainly not least for our leadership trio, meet our new Associate Director of Program Sustainability! Melissa Rood is the driving force behind sustainability and data integrity and has been part of the Wind team since 2018. In addition to her instinctively balancing personality, she brings a healthy dose of analytical and critical thinking skills and leadership experience developed through years in the high-tech world, mixed with a creative side as a life-long musi...cian. This amalgam of skills and experience comes together to help not only the leadership team, but all of Wind to make solid data driven decisions based on facts and knowledge, while never losing focus on the human element. As Associate Director of Program Sustainability for Wind, Melissa’s primary focus is on program performance, procedure integrity and robustness, process improvement, monitoring program grants and funding, reporting, data management tools, and staff training. Over 10 years ago, Melissa made the conscience decision to move from the corporate sphere into the realm of academics and non-profit organizations. Prior to joining Wind, Melissa was involved in various roles at WEAVE, Make-A-Wish and the ALS Association, and was an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Sacramento City College for 8 years teaching audio engineering. Before entering the non-profit and teaching world, Melissa had an over 20-year career as a chemist in various research, customer support, marketing and management positions. She has an extensive background in process and operations optimization, data measurement and analysis, quality control, budgeting and financials, policy and procedure documentation, and training programs. Melissa earned a BS degree in chemistry from the University of IllinoisUrbana Champaign and a MS degree in Music Technology from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Melissa spends her outside time indulging in her passion for music, voraciously reading, renovating a 75- year old house, and enjoying the delightful company of her family and cats. Melissa is excited and delighted to be able to share her many blessings and bring all of her professional experience to bear in helping homeless youth in pursuing and leading self-determined lives of stability and independence.

Meet our new Director of Programs & Operations! Simone Thomas stands rooted in honesty, transparency, hard work and empowerment. Her passion for serving Sacramento’s youth emanates contagiously. As a strategic planner and executor, she is able to see the bigger picture and zoom into each programs’ framework to ensure quality, effectiveness and advancement. Simone’s accredited leadership development makes her decision making reputable and respected by the organization and comm...unity. As a futuristic leader, Simone has the vast ability to energize others to fortuitously tackle feats with an unequivocal mindset. As the current Director of Programs and Operations, Simone develops collaborative relationships with community leaders, businesses and advocates to meet the needs of the region’s transitional-aged youth. Simone strives to supply young adults with fundamental life skills, employment readiness, medical/ mental health resources and education opportunities. Simone's love for learning and development began during her undergraduate studies where she learned various facilitation styles to promote cohesive group dynamics. Simone believes in the idea that ‘teamwork makes the dream work’. Therefore, capacity building is at the forefront of her training goals for Wind. While establishing the talent and development of the Wind Team, Simone equips and empowers all staff to use their distinctive talents and to appreciate the talents of others. Born in Jamaica, Simone grew up in New York and Pennsylvania and is the youngest of eight children. Simone and four of her siblings are first generation college graduates. She and three of her siblings earned their BS from Pennsylvania State University. Simone went on to be the first in her family to receive a Master’s Degree in Organizational Management specializing in Organizational Leadership. Her primary focus of research was to assist large organizations in fostering positive, structural change while redeveloping its core mission and values. Simone currently lives in Midtown Sacramento and enjoys experiencing the diverse community promotions Sacramento offers through art, music and food.

Meet our new Executive Director! SuTonya Lopez takes a vision and makes it a reality through sound strategy development. She intuitively sees the threads of opportunity that wind through an organization, brings them together into a coherent whole, helps others extend their thinking, and drives material change. She is an inspirational leader who tells stories that inspire action while at the same time is grounded in financial information that levers the business. Respected as ...a credible voice in decision making, SuTonya earns a seat at the table wherever she serves. Currently, as the Executive Director for Wind Youth Services, SuTonya oversees the business operations which provides crucially needed services to over 3000 youth who are experiencing homelessness. Having had her own personal experience with Wind, SuTonya is committed to maintaining Wind’s open-door to ensure the needs of youth experiencing homelessness in Sacramento are met. She has faith in every youth she encounters and is often heard saying Onward and Upward. She stands on principles of being a good steward and leading the organization with integrity. Organizational stability and effective programming are her primary focuses for 2021. Previously, during her 16-year tenure with Goodwill Industries Sacramento Valley Northern Nevada, Inc., SuTonya oversaw special projects, launched new programs, and was affectionately known as the fixer. Elevating through the ranks from a Job Coach to Director, she was consistently recognized for her passion, hard work, and determination. SuTonya is an outgoing humanitarian with an infectious personality and a heart of gold. Her personal mission is to help others make lives worth living. When SuTonya is not leading the organization, this motorcycle-riding grandmother of twelve enjoys spending time with her husband, family and friends. She truly exemplifies the quote by Pele, Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.

Say hello to Frances! My name is Frances Monasterio; I have been a Permanent Supportive Housing Case Manager here at Wind Youth Services working with youth with special needs for 3 years. It warms my heart to see our homeless youth tackle their mental health, addiction, and all their fears, become housed and productive members of our community, this is my passion. I spend my free time surrounded by my grandchildren which keep me going in these uncertain times. #MeetOurStaff

#MLKDay #DayOfService

Meet Brenda! I am a dreamer, an achiever, a socializer, and I am a natural-born creator! I’m a dreamer because I always set goals that others think are out of their reach. I try to always keep that mindset. I am an achiever because I don’t stop until I get it done and I always make sure that I’m on top of my game. I'm also a socializer because I like to keep in touch with people and to know what's happening in the world. I learned that when bad things happen, it doesn’t mea...n that it is going to happen again. Going through adversity means it will be easier to move past other difficulties that may happen later in life. We can learn from adversity and what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. If I could start a business, I would start a business in Landscaping. I love nature and land. Landscaping reminds me of all the elements of life and reminds me of creation. Her top goal in 2021 is to be a better person! She says she wants to get to know her old self better so that her new self doesn’t follow her old mistakes.

Today is #WearGreenDay in support of National Runaway & Homeless Youth Prevention Month. To see how you can help #endyouthhomelessness locally, go to WindYouth.Org! #RHYPM #nationalrunawaypreventionmonth #homelessyouthawareness #homelessyouthawarenessmonth

The Sacramento LGBT Community Center's Q-Prom will be entirely virtual this year! Tomorrow is the big night so don't forget to register!

October is National Depression and Health Screening Month. This #WellnessWednesday, we want to remind you that your mental health is just as important as your physical health. If you are one of our youth and you need assistance finding the right steps, please be encouraged to speak with your case manager or someone you feel comfortable with! #StopTheStigma #mentalhealthmatters

Today is #NationalHandWashingDay! Washing your hands frequently is still the #1 tip for preventing the spread of Covid-19. Take a look at some of the others!

Did you know as many as 40% of youth experiencing homelessness identify as LGBTQ+? This month is #LGBTQHistoryMonth so we invite you to head over to www.lgbthistorymonth.com to learn more about how to celebrate and get involved!

Are you joining us? Auction soon!

If you're unable to view the live stream this evening, but still want to support go to https://windsoiree2020.maxgiving.bid/items to bid or make a donation!

We are kicking off our first ever virtual soiree, please enjoy some bluegrass sounds from Burning Daylight People.

Less than 20 minutes til showtime! Join us at: https://youtu.be/LbbN6UpjHV8! To start bidding on auction items or make a donation, head over to windsoiree2020.maxgiving.bid!

Tonight’s virtual Wind Soiree would not be possible without our Community Sponsors! Thank you to Comstock's magazine, Jay Schenirer, KJ 2 Productions, Mechanics Bank, Councilmember Angelique Ashby, Goodwill Sacramento Valley & Northern Nevada, and The TV Doctor Podcast. If you haven’t registered yet, it’s not too late! Register at soiree.windyouth.org. View the livestream here: https://youtu.be/LbbN6UpjHV8

Thank you to our Silver Level sponsors Boutin Jones Inc. and SAFE Credit Union, as well as our Bronze Level Sponsor Golden Rivers Inc.! Soiree 2020 starts at 6:30 tonight! Register for the virtual event at soiree.windyouth.org.

Tomorrow's the day!

The Soiree 2020 Auction is now live! Huge thanks to all of the donors and vendors who sponsored this virtual event. If you want to browse through the items and start placing bids, head over to windsoiree2020.maxgiving.bid! And if you haven't registered for Soiree yet, go to soiree.windyouth.org.