top of page
Day One
About Us
Day One is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization with a 38-year history of providing effective, high quality, and culturally appropriate outreach, education, and project development throughout the San Gabriel Valley (SGV).
Day One’s experience in advancing environmental goals throughout LA County is extensive. We most recently helped advance the approval of Measures W, A, and M. We have also been involved in the LA County Sustainability Plan, Advanced Energy Community, El Monte Stormwater Master Plan, San Gabriel Valley Regional Bicycle Master Plan, and the Puente Hills Landfill Park Master Plan, among other efforts.
Day One and its staff are noted leaders in youth advocacy, community engagement, coalition building, policy development and advocacy, and environmental health in the San Gabriel Valley.
Our
Mission
Our agency’s mission is to build vibrant, healthy cities by advancing public health, empowering youth, and igniting change.
Our
Vision
Our vision is to create a healthy, connected, vibrant world.
Meet the Team
Meet the Team
Christy Zamani
Executive Director
A graduate and former Student Body President of California State University Long Beach, Christy Zamani has served as Day One Executive Director since 2007. Christy brings over 15 years of hands-on experience in public policy, community health and youth leadership development to Day One. A Pasadena resident, Christy also is a Board Member for Leadership Pasadena and a member of Vision 20/20, City Conversations and the Asset Development Network.
A graduate and former Student Body President of California State University Long Beach, Christy Zamani has served as Day One Executive Director since 2007. Christy brings over 15 years of hands-on experience in public policy, community health and youth leadership development to Day One. A Pasadena resident, Christy also is a Board Member for Leadership Pasadena and a member of Vision 20/20, City Conversations and the Asset Development Network.
Jazmin Jimenez
Director of Operations
Jazmin Jimenez is a Pasadena native and has been involved. She holds a Master in Public Administration from Cal State LA and is a UCLA Alumni, with a B.A. in Sociology and a minor in Chicano/Chicana Studies. Jazmin has been with Day One since 2008, starting as a Youth Advocate and being in the following roles: Administrative Assistance to the Executive Director, Prevention Coordinator and now as a Director of Operations. Jazmin enjoys working out and watching the Dodgers play during baseball season!
Jazmin Jimenez is a Pasadena native and has been involved. She holds a Master in Public Administration from Cal State LA and is a UCLA Alumni, with a B.A. in Sociology and a minor in Chicano/Chicana Studies. Jazmin has been with Day One since 2008, starting as a Youth Advocate and being in the following roles: Administrative Assistance to the Executive Director, Prevention Coordinator and now as a Director of Operations. Jazmin enjoys working out and watching the Dodgers play during baseball season!
Claudia Hathcock
Director of Environmental
Prevention Strategies
Claudia is a Pasadena native and a former Youth Advocate (2006 - 2008). She attended UC Davis and received her B.A. in History with a minor in Political Science. She is currently working on her MPH at California Baptist University. As the Director of Environmental Prevention Strategies at Day One, she is committed to empowering communities to engage in policy making and reducing youth access to alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs through education, advocacy, and youth engagement. Claudia currently serves as the Vice-chair for Rethinking Access to Marijuana, a Los Angeles County wide coalition of prevention leaders committed to reducing youth access to marijuana, minimizing exposure to marijuana, and addressing the unintended harms associated with marijuana legalization.
In her free time she enjoys exploring her community, checking out local restaurants, and listening to audiobooks.
Prevention Strategies
Claudia is a Pasadena native and a former Youth Advocate (2006 - 2008). She attended UC Davis and received her B.A. in History with a minor in Political Science. She is currently working on her MPH at California Baptist University. As the Director of Environmental Prevention Strategies at Day One, she is committed to empowering communities to engage in policy making and reducing youth access to alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs through education, advocacy, and youth engagement. Claudia currently serves as the Vice-chair for Rethinking Access to Marijuana, a Los Angeles County wide coalition of prevention leaders committed to reducing youth access to marijuana, minimizing exposure to marijuana, and addressing the unintended harms associated with marijuana legalization.
In her free time she enjoys exploring her community, checking out local restaurants, and listening to audiobooks.
Jennifer Jimenez
Director of Prevention Programs
Jennifer Jimenez was raised in the city of Pasadena and attended Pasadena Unified School District schools. She is the Prevention Programs Director for the Comprehensive Prevention Services at Day One. She is bilingual, and a native Spanish speaker. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Education from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Jennifer is a Day One Youth Advocate alumni and has been consistently involved with Day One for over 11 years. She began working at Day One as an Outreach Coordinator for the Advanced Energy Community project in the Bassett and Avocado Heights area. She also served as the Bicycle Outreach Coordinator and has over 2 years of experience working with Champions for Change/CalFresh programs as a Health Educator in El Monte. Jennifer has supervised the implementation of approximately 150 nutrition classes, started the installation of the first community garden at the Jeff Seymour Family Center, and coordinated various walking audits with Youth Advocates from El Monte Unified School District. She currently focuses on Substance Abuse Prevention among youth and adults in the Pasadena area. She also works closely with Pasadena Unified School District students where she provides students with safe spaces and resources through our Youth Advocate Program, Life Skills Social Emotional Education , Project Sticker Shock Internship, and Summer SKILLZ program. She is committed to amplifying youth voices and advocating for social justice issues in her community. Jennifer is a very active person whom you will find running at the Rosebowl or along the Arroyo Seco trails every day. She loves to travel, eat delicious food, horseback ride under the sunset, and dance in her cowboy boots. She is a unique individual that strives to be a champion in her own personal life by maintaining wellness and inspiring others to start up a healthier lifestyle.
Jennifer Jimenez was raised in the city of Pasadena and attended Pasadena Unified School District schools. She is the Prevention Programs Director for the Comprehensive Prevention Services at Day One. She is bilingual, and a native Spanish speaker. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Education from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Jennifer is a Day One Youth Advocate alumni and has been consistently involved with Day One for over 11 years. She began working at Day One as an Outreach Coordinator for the Advanced Energy Community project in the Bassett and Avocado Heights area. She also served as the Bicycle Outreach Coordinator and has over 2 years of experience working with Champions for Change/CalFresh programs as a Health Educator in El Monte. Jennifer has supervised the implementation of approximately 150 nutrition classes, started the installation of the first community garden at the Jeff Seymour Family Center, and coordinated various walking audits with Youth Advocates from El Monte Unified School District. She currently focuses on Substance Abuse Prevention among youth and adults in the Pasadena area. She also works closely with Pasadena Unified School District students where she provides students with safe spaces and resources through our Youth Advocate Program, Life Skills Social Emotional Education , Project Sticker Shock Internship, and Summer SKILLZ program. She is committed to amplifying youth voices and advocating for social justice issues in her community. Jennifer is a very active person whom you will find running at the Rosebowl or along the Arroyo Seco trails every day. She loves to travel, eat delicious food, horseback ride under the sunset, and dance in her cowboy boots. She is a unique individual that strives to be a champion in her own personal life by maintaining wellness and inspiring others to start up a healthier lifestyle.
Alisha Lopez
Director of Tobacco Programs
Alisha was born in Long Beach, CA where she witnessed firsthand the many health disparities that exist in communities of color. Her desire to create change began at a very young age with her own personal experiences seeing the toll alcohol, tobacco and substance abuse takes on families, especially children. She is a graduate of Los Angeles Valley College with an Associate's Degree in Liberal Arts and plans to return to school in Fall 2022 to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Policy. She brings 25 years of public health experience in both the non-profit and public sector. She has almost two decades of experience with community organizing in the tobacco control and prevention policy arena. She served as Chair of the Coalition for a Tobacco Free LA County from June 2007-June 2009, and Chair of the Pasadena Tobacco Prevention Coalition from May 2016-May 2018, further building upon her leadership skills. She enjoys working with communities towards health policies that seek to change the social norms around alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. When she’s not working in communities creating change, she enjoys writing and performing music, cooking, dancing, and spending time with her family.
Alisha was born in Long Beach, CA where she witnessed firsthand the many health disparities that exist in communities of color. Her desire to create change began at a very young age with her own personal experiences seeing the toll alcohol, tobacco and substance abuse takes on families, especially children. She is a graduate of Los Angeles Valley College with an Associate's Degree in Liberal Arts and plans to return to school in Fall 2022 to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Policy. She brings 25 years of public health experience in both the non-profit and public sector. She has almost two decades of experience with community organizing in the tobacco control and prevention policy arena. She served as Chair of the Coalition for a Tobacco Free LA County from June 2007-June 2009, and Chair of the Pasadena Tobacco Prevention Coalition from May 2016-May 2018, further building upon her leadership skills. She enjoys working with communities towards health policies that seek to change the social norms around alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. When she’s not working in communities creating change, she enjoys writing and performing music, cooking, dancing, and spending time with her family.
Colin Bogart
Director of Active Transportation Programs
Colin grew up in the suburbs of Los Angeles and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Fine Arts at Loyola Marymount University. Following college, he lived in Prague and San Francisco where he experienced what it means to live in a walkable city with good public transportation. After returning to Los Angeles, he bought a bicycle and his transformation into an active transportation advocate began. Initially a volunteer for the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (LACBC), he became a full time staff member of LACBC in 2008, where he worked for 11 years; first on a grant-funded project in Glendale and then as Education Director. He’s a certified League Cycling Instructor (LCI) and has coordinated multiple LCI training seminars through the League of American Bicyclists. He moved to Pasadena in 2015 with his partner, Jennie, and their three cats. Colin is a Steering Committee member for the Pasadena Complete Streets Coalition, through which he connected with Day One. When he’s not riding his bike or taking walks with Jennie, he enjoys cooking, gardening, visiting with friends and neighbors, and listening to music or podcasts.
Colin grew up in the suburbs of Los Angeles and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Fine Arts at Loyola Marymount University. Following college, he lived in Prague and San Francisco where he experienced what it means to live in a walkable city with good public transportation. After returning to Los Angeles, he bought a bicycle and his transformation into an active transportation advocate began. Initially a volunteer for the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (LACBC), he became a full time staff member of LACBC in 2008, where he worked for 11 years; first on a grant-funded project in Glendale and then as Education Director. He’s a certified League Cycling Instructor (LCI) and has coordinated multiple LCI training seminars through the League of American Bicyclists. He moved to Pasadena in 2015 with his partner, Jennie, and their three cats. Colin is a Steering Committee member for the Pasadena Complete Streets Coalition, through which he connected with Day One. When he’s not riding his bike or taking walks with Jennie, he enjoys cooking, gardening, visiting with friends and neighbors, and listening to music or podcasts.
Lisa Odigie
Communications & Anti-Displacement Program Director
Nancy Verdin
Director of Environmental Education & Engagement
Ashley Mercado
Director of Strategic Engagement
James Cortes-Rivera
Director of Watershed Programs
James was raised in Mexico before migrating to Los Angeles. In LA, he has lived in the communities of south LA where he is socially active. He studied at UC Berkeley and most recently worked as a project manager for a design company which serves businesses with an environmentally conscious agenda. He has also been part of several organizations seeking to improve the lives of marginalized communities in LA. In his free time, he loves reading and writing. He also enjoys traveling and experiencing new places and cultures.
James was raised in Mexico before migrating to Los Angeles. In LA, he has lived in the communities of south LA where he is socially active. He studied at UC Berkeley and most recently worked as a project manager for a design company which serves businesses with an environmentally conscious agenda. He has also been part of several organizations seeking to improve the lives of marginalized communities in LA. In his free time, he loves reading and writing. He also enjoys traveling and experiencing new places and cultures.
Domonic Moran
Project Coordinator
Domonic graduated from Rio Hondo College with an AA in both Sociology and English. He then transferred to California State University, Long Beach and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology. Since then, Domonic has joined the Day One team as the Tobacco Prevention Community Engagement Coordinator where he is helping various communities around Southern California by way of research and community involvement. When Domonic is not busy working on closing the gap of disparities in public health, he enjoys eating a good vegan meal and playing tons of video games!
Domonic graduated from Rio Hondo College with an AA in both Sociology and English. He then transferred to California State University, Long Beach and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology. Since then, Domonic has joined the Day One team as the Tobacco Prevention Community Engagement Coordinator where he is helping various communities around Southern California by way of research and community involvement. When Domonic is not busy working on closing the gap of disparities in public health, he enjoys eating a good vegan meal and playing tons of video games!
Ashley Carrasco
Preventions Program Coordinator
Ashley Carrasco is a Pasadena native who received her Bachelors in Business Administration with a minor in Public Art. She is passionate about creating change in the Pasadena community and is co-chair of the local organization, Hood Liberation who focuses on community healing and economic justice. Today she is the Preventions Program Coordinator for Day One where she creates safe spaces for youth in the community and provides resources to PUSD Families. Ashley works closely with our middle school and high school students through our Youth Advocate Program, Life Skills Social Emotional Education , and our internship program
Ashley Carrasco is a Pasadena native who received her Bachelors in Business Administration with a minor in Public Art. She is passionate about creating change in the Pasadena community and is co-chair of the local organization, Hood Liberation who focuses on community healing and economic justice. Today she is the Preventions Program Coordinator for Day One where she creates safe spaces for youth in the community and provides resources to PUSD Families. Ashley works closely with our middle school and high school students through our Youth Advocate Program, Life Skills Social Emotional Education , and our internship program
DO Impact Report
Locations
Pasadena
OUR LOCATIONS
El Monte
Pomona
bottom of page
