Mariana España

Mariana España was born in Mexico City, lived in Oaxaca, Mexico in her early childhood and spent part of her adolescence in Spain. From the time of her first arrival in the United States, Santa Cruz has been her first and most lasting home. España began her community involvement as a Recreational Leader in Watsonville. She later worked within the educational system as a teacher’s aide and peer mentor to youth. After earning her bachelor’s degree in La Raza Studies, she returned to Santa Cruz and worked with Monarch Servicers as a youth advocate and then as Monarch’s Children and Youth Program Manager. España then earned her master’s degree in social work with emphasis in children and youth. She was awarded a Title Four Scholarship and placement in Santa Cruz County Family Services. España then worked for San Mateo County Aging and Adult Services for six years, initially as an in-home support services social worker, but then as Program Supervisor. España returned home to Santa Cruz while expecting her first child and is now a stay-at-home mother.

España is bicultural and fully bilingual in Spanish and English. Her volunteer experience is as diverse as it is expansive.  She has volunteered helping rescue animals, raising money for research foundations to save our planet, fighting policies that reduce access and rights for individuals with physical limitations, to save our libraries, and to vote in elections. España currently offers low-cost fitness classes to the elderly, sliding scale Zumba dance instruction, organizes book drives and mother’s groups, coaches soccer and runs for charities. When taking time for herself, she enjoys making piñatas, dancing, and drawing.