Welcome Flor Viveros!
By Violet Banks
On behalf of the Mockingbird Society, please welcome Flor Viveros! Stationed in Yakima, she is now our new Engagement Specialist for Region 1 South. At the moment she is preparing the Yakima chapter for the next legislative cycle, so Flor is starting in one of the busiest of times with Mockingbird. We salute you for jumping into the mix with a "ready-to-go" attitude!
Flor was born in Yakima, Washington. She graduated from Wapato High school in Yakima then pursued her Associate's degree and certification in chemical dependency at Yakima Valley Community College. She has done an amazing job working with youth in the welfare system as well as youth born of different nationalities and backgrounds. This past May, Flor graduated with a Master's degree in Social Work from Heritage University.
Flor worked for Washington State Migrant Council, a Head Start program, for three years, and then moved to the Toppenish school district working as a migrant student advocate for two years. With her new position as Yakima's Engagement Specialist, she has found a great opportunity continuing her work in advocacy with wonderful youth inspiring each other and her to create positive change.
With five years of experience in case management and social services, Flor is coming to The Mockingbird Society with diverse experience in working with youth involved and affected by the system. Her heart and passion thrive for the youth and the new job has continued to fuel her interest in law and policy making. As she continues to help youth become powerful advocates and leaders, she knows there will be a lot that each individual youth will teach her about who and what she fights for. In this role, her skills in guiding young adults will improve more than she has imagined, with the plus of gaining more in-depth education about the foster care system. "I'm extremely happy to be a part of the awesome changes that youth want to have made for the youth that are being brought up in the system right now in Washington State," she said. "It would be a challenge if a law that the youth really wanted changed didn't get passed, but I understand that this type of experience happens and I will encourage the youth to learn from the experience and shed light on what they can work on for next year."
On her days off, you will find Flor in front of the big screen during football season, rooting for her favorite Seahawks as they make their way to the Super Bowl. In the meantime, she loves to cook and bake as well as spend time with her family. There is nothing like delicious food and good company! We welcome Flor Viveros with open arms and can't wait for what her passion and prior knowledge has in store for us!