Valarie Maestas
Project Rebound Director
Hailing from the warm high desert, Valarie was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Leaving home and dropping out of high school at 14, Valarie experienced numerous childhood traumas, police encounters, and threats of juvenile detention. Valarie was fortunate enough to make it out of the circumstances she was born into and found her way through higher education which transformed her life and that of her children. Those in her inner circle were not as lucky. Her journey and those closest to her drives her passion and commitment to serving those like her, who did not know there was another path.
As a Hispanic, first-generation college student and young mother she navigated many challenges and achieved tremendous success. She holds an Associates in Liberal Arts, a Bachelors of Science in Anthropology and Psychology from the University of New Mexico and a Masters in Health Education. Her graduate research focused on adverse childhood experiences in incarcerated youth and yoga as a mechanism for healing and reducing symptoms of PTSD.
There is a mission statement from a previous employer that she has always embraced as part of her ethos “… instill within each student a renewed belief of their individual potential.” She works to reduce barriers and empower others to navigate systems that have been historically inaccessible and oppressive. Valarie understands first-hand the fear, barriers, and immense opportunities that attending college presents and strives to make that path less burdensome for those she serves.
Contact Info
831-582-5742
Patterson Emesibe
Project Rebound Coordinator
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Patterson Emesibe's journey is a testament to resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. Born to Nigerian immigrants and raised in Antioch, Tennessee, Patterson was the eldest of five children. His childhood dreams of becoming a lawyer, doctor, or engineer were nurtured by his parents' belief in the opportunities available in the United States. However, his life took a tragic turn when, at the age of 11, he witnessed the loss of his mother. This traumatic event resulted in his father’s incarceration, leaving Patterson and his siblings to navigate the foster care system. Despite the challenges, he took on the responsibility of keeping his family together, honoring his mother's last words to him; "we are moving to California".
Despite the overwhelming challenges, Patterson was determined to keep his family together, honoring his mother's last words to him. The siblings were placed in foster care, and eventually, they found stability with their maternal aunt in California. During these tumultuous years, Patterson grappled with the weight of responsibility, being the oldest, as he navigated adolescence as the de facto head of his household. This burden affected his academic performance, but he persisted, earning a high school diploma, and later a degree in psychology from Cal State Monterey Bay after six years.
Driven by a passion for advocacy, Patterson co-founded The Epicenter in Salinas, California, a youth-led nonprofit organization that supports at-risk youth in overcoming barriers to achieve their dreams. This work ignited his desire to create systemic change, leading him to obtain a Master's in Social Work at the CSU Monterey Bay MSW program. Patterson envisions a future as a social entrepreneur, blending social work, community organizing, and business to foster community resilience and empowerment. Grateful for the support he has received, he is determined to give back and inspire others, making a lasting impact on the world.
Contact Info
831-582-3913