Our Team
Though our OCW staff come from many different countries, we share in common a deep passion for supporting and empowering our immigrant families to realize their dream of self-sufficiency and thriving in a new country. When our staff was asked what was their favorite part of working at OCW, they united around the great joy and meaning they feel in accompanying our unhoused immigrant families as they grow and achieve their goals and dreams for a new life.
SR, ANNE CARRABINO, SSS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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Sr. Anne Carrabino, SSS brings to the Oakland Catholic Worker 40 years experience working with youth and families as a social worker, community developer and
organizer, legislative advocate, administrator and urban youth development agency
founder both in US urban communities and internationally in El Salvador (during the
war), Mexico, Guatemala and the Philippines. Sr. Anne, who is a Sister of Social Service, received her BA in Social Work/Psychology from UC Berkeley and a Master in Urban Community and International Development from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.
LEDI MERIDA
COORD. OF COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
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Leidi was born in Guatemala City, Guatemala where she served as a Community Health
Educator. Leidi brings her deep personal experience and her special passion for
empowering the immigrant community to her work as OCW’s Coordinator of
Community Programs, which include our weekly Food Bank, hot lunch programs, and
Job Training and Placement Program. Additionally, Leidi also coordinates the Leaders Team for OCW’s FUERZA, our immigrant-to-immigrant health promoters program and ADELANTE, our basic literacy/women’s empowerment program.
Leidi is mother to Jian, her 10 year old son, who is her heart and the light of her life.
LILIAN PABLO NAJERA
CASEWORK MANAGER
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Lilian immigrated at the age of 15 to Oakland from Guatemala City, Guatemala. At 22, she graduated from Holy Names College in Oakland with Degrees in Sociology and Psychology. Lilian began at OCW as our first Dorothy Day Fellow. Today she coordinates our casework management services with our families, where her personal experience and insights as an immigrant is invaluable to our newly arrived immigrants and their children.
Lilian is married to Yosue and together they are parents to 2 years old, Jemina.
GENRI VELASQUEZ
HOUSE MANGER
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Genri immigrated to Oakland from Guatemala City, Guatemala, where he was a college engineering student before he was forced to immigrate due to life-threatening political conditions. Genri brings to OCW his considerable experience in working in
construction, his great generosity and deep passion to serve the immigrant community.
Genri is father to 10 year old Jian, whom he shares with Leidi Merida. Genri’s favorite
thing to do is anything with Jian, especially if it includes soccer.
TERESA SILVEIRA
CASEWORK MANAGER
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Teresa, our casework manager, is a graduate of St. Mary’s College, Moraga. Prior to coming to OCW, Teresa was an intern with the Diocese of Oakland’s Office of Life and
Social Justice where she also coordinated communication for the Catholic Campaign
for Human Development. A child of Portugese immigrants from the Azores, Teresa brings a special sensitivity and understanding to her work with our newly arrived immigrant families. A musician, Teresa sings and plays numerous instruments, and coordinates the choir and music program on weekends at her home parish, Our Lady of the Assumption in Turlock, CA.