Neelam Sharma has served as Programs' Director for CSU for the past
eight years in what was until June of 2007 a volunteer capacity. Prior to
relocating to the United States she first became involved in community
organizing as a pre-teen in response to an attempt by fascists to
organize in Southall, London, where she grew up. Over the years she was involved
in the creation of an employee rights center, several campaigns against
police abuse and illegal deportations, and a campaign against spousal abuse
within her own community of immigrants from the Indian sub-continent. Neelam
has worked with CSU in various capacities since moving to Los Angeles in
1996.
As CSU's Executive Director, Neelam has been largely responsible for
the development of CSU's food justice and youth training programs,
including the ACTION Food Assessment. In addition Neelam has been involved in
founding and working with the Healthy School Food Coalition, the LA Food Justice
Network and the California Food and Justice Coalition (CFJC). Her work with the
CFJC has created a Land Access Membership Action Team that seeks to make
land accessible for sustainable food production. Her responsibilities
include oversight of all CSU's Programs, staff and intern mentoring and
development, organizational capacity building and all programs at the Expo Center.
Dyane Pascall, Program Director, dyanep1(at)csuinc.org
Dyane Pascall works as a Program Director for Community Services Unlimited Inc., (CSU) and is a student at California State University in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in International Business with a minor in Economics. His work for CSU includes planning and implementing the Growing Healthy nutrition education program to 5th grade students, fiscal management and accounting, oversight of CSU’s Veggie Bus project and helping to run and sustain other programs.
As part of his work with CSU Dyane was a recipient of the BLAST Cadre scholarship in 2007-2008: a select group of dynamic youth leaders from around the country who work together towards a common goal within the framework of creating sustainable food systems. The scholarship provided one year of traveling to conferences, focusing on a food related project, and growing as a leader. Dyane was also a Bioneers Youth Food & Farming Scholar in 2006 and 2007 when he was asked to facilitate the learning process of the group, again youth from around the country working on relevant issues. In 2007 he was elected the chair of the Food and Nutrition Education Action Committee for 2 years: a statewide committee of the Network for a Healthy California that plans and facilitates the regional meetings. Dyane received the Certificate of Recognition at the Teachers & Administration Conference “Facing Challenges of 21st Century Schools,” in September 06.
In addition to food justice work Dyane is an artist in the form of spoken word, music, and acting and an ex football player and lover of sports. He writes and performs his own songs and at times his love of music and sports combines with his social justice work. Dyane is an actor by nature and has appeared in several high profile productions including a basketball player speaking role, in the award winning Major Motion Picture; “Kal Ho Na Ho.”
Heather Fenney, Associate Director - Development, heather(at)csuinc.org
Heather Fenney was recruited as a part time Program Associate in summer
2006. Her specific duties include the Growing Healthy Program at John
Muir Middle School and fundraising. Heather has a long history in
food/justice work including organizing a state wide umbrella organization and
lobbying efforts.
Lawrence DeFreitas, Program Assistant, LD(at)csuinc.org
Lawrence DeFreitas became CSU¹s first youth apprentice in 2004 and
helped to create the first CSU mini-farms. Since this time he has also worked
with Los Angeles Conservation Corps and for a chain home improvement store, but
has for the most part continued to work with CSU and is now a part time
Program Assistant. Lawrence¹s work includes site maintenance, the Growing
Healthy Program at John Muir Middle School, the Youth Empowerment Project and
filing.
Dana Clay, Urban Farm Assistant, dana(at)csuinc.org
Bio Coming Soon.
Neelam Sharma, Executive Director, neelam (at) csuinc.org