Joseph A. Castañeda
OXNARD — The Board of Directors of El Centrito Family Learning Centers in Oxnard has announced the appointment of Joseph A. Castañeda as its executive director, the organization reported in a media release.
Castañeda will lead the organization’s team in delivering innovative, high quality educational and leadership programs that support families throughout Ventura County, the organization reported. The board of directors is confident in Castaneda’s ability and passion to build upon the organization’s 22-year legacy and guide the agency into its next phase of strategic growth and innovation.
Castañeda is an experienced nonprofit leader who has championed education and advocacy projects for low income families for more than 10 years. Castañeda brings proven leadership experience that, coupled with his ability to deliver culturally and linguistically responsive program strategies, is well aligned with providing educational and community organizing programs. Castañeda also has significant experience with community and organizational development, striving to maximize family strengths and cultivate social connectedness to guarantee equitable access to opportunities that lead to future prosperity.
Castañeda has been with El Centrito Family Learning Centers since 2007, where he helped build the agency’s programs, developed collaborative relationships, and maintained premier preschool, afterschool and parent training programs with a family-centered approach. Most recently, Castañeda filled the role of Interim Executive Director for the agency.
“Joseph’s passion and professionalism will take El Centrito to the next level of service in our community,” board president Nancy Switzler stated in the release. “Joseph has led El Centrito through a smooth transition as interim executive director, and we are delighted that he will bring a focus of strong mission-driven services and collaborative partnerships as executive director.”
Castañeda studied political science and English literature at the University of California, Los Angeles, International Ethics and Welfare Systems at the University of Birmingham, England, and holds a Master’s degree in public policy from California State University, Northridge. Prior to joining the El Centrito team,Castañeda served as a community development Peace Corps volunteer in the Amazon region of Ecuador.
El Centrito works to fulfill its mission by providing a wide array of strengths-based programs that support Oxnard and Ventura County’s diverse families, provide students with opportunities that instill a love of learning, eliminate root causes of academic disparities, and provide equitable access to opportunities that impact the future wellbeing of our community.
For more information, contact board president or search committee chair at nlswitz@sbcglobal.net.