Staff: Cecelia Paniagua

Cecelia Paniagua was born and raised in the Coachella Valley, where she grew up on a date farm, surrounded by the beauty of agriculture and the majestic mountains. Her love for the outdoors is reflected in her passion for short hikes and camping, as nature is the best way for her to recharge.

Cecelia has seventeen years of community engagement experience with Riverside County Department of Public Social Services – Child Protection Services. She dedicated her career to advocating for families, linking them to essential resources in their native languages, and promoting active participation in supportive services. Her work focused on preventing detention, supporting family reunification, and ensuring safe and healthy environments for children.

Driven by her commitment to community service, she transitioned to support a local Tribal Community, where she gained invaluable insights into Native American perspectives on holistic social work. Cecelia worked alongside Child Protective Services advocating for Native American families, connecting them to culturally appropriate services and addressing generational trauma, all in hopes of preventing out of home placements.

Cecelia is excited to leverage her experience to foster a successful chapter while making a lasting impact on the lives of children and families throughout Coachella Valley.