Administration
Mary Trimble Norris, Executive Director mary@aicrc.org (510) 208-1870 x 305
Nicole Halvorsen, Finance Director nicole@aicrc.org
Nicole Halvorsen (Karuk, Shasta) is the Finance Director for both the American Indian Child Resource Center and Sogorea Te' Land Trust. She was born and raised in Humboldt County (Wiyot Territory) and continues to reside there with her family. She earned degrees in Anthropology and Business Administration, is passionate about supporting transitional age youth and serves as the board treasurer for Pathways of Purpose. She has pivoted away from 15 years in government finance and project management and is excited to join the team with the American Indian Child Resource Center.
Youth Services
Erick Aleman, After School Program Coordinator
erick@aicrc.org (510) 208-1870 x 312
Erick (Salvadoran-American) was born and raised in the Bay Area. He received his BA in Sociology and Minor in Education from the University of California, Davis. Erick has been working with youth for close to 8 years in various capacities, with an emphasis on college admissions and post-secondary opportunities. Erick’s is the After-School Program Coordinator for the Indian Education Center; he is responsible for the oversight of the after-school program, as well as providing direct services to students.
Manny Lieras, Title VI Indian Education Coordinator manny@aicrc.org
Manny (Navajo & Comanche) has worked with AICRC for over 20 years. Currently he is the Title VI Indian Education Coordinator. Manny moved from San Diego, CA after receiving his BA from San Diego State University to Oakland to work with inner-city / urban American Indian youth at AICRC. Manny has established himself as a influential role model and change agent in the Oakland Intertribal community. Manny has many talents and wears many hats. When he’s not working at the American Indian Child Resource Center you might find him volunteering to teach pow wow drumming and singing or producing a film with Injunuity (www.injunuity.org).
Christian Logan, Tutor / Program Assistant christian@aicrc.org (510) 208-1870 x 311
My name is Christian Logan. I am Shawnee, Sac & Fox, Kickapoo, Iowa, Osage, Iñupiat, Potawatomi and Guatemalan. I was born and raised in Oakland, CA and am an alumni of the AICRC after-school-program. I am a business owner who previously worked several years landscaping and gardening in the private and public sectors. Working with youth in AICRC’s Sovereign Seeds & Starts program is inspirational, I enjoy being able to learn and teach about plants from a traditional and indigenous perspectives. I am grateful to be able to build and sustain healthy gardens that help bring wellness to the Oakland intertribal community.
Emily Castaniada, Tutor / Program Assistant emily@aicrc.org (510) 208-1870 x 311
Hello, my name is Emily, and I am from the Bay Area Native born and raised in Concord. I am of Pasqua Yaqui decent along with French and Spanish. I received my BA in Psychology from the University of Oregon and recently graduated with my MS in Forensic Psychology from Arizona State University. After working several years in retail and the veterinary field, I found working with youth of AICRC to be a wonderful opportunity to hone in on my psychological background. Aside from the occasional homework assignments, I’m excited to work with students on improving problem solving skills, college admissions, and encourage personal growth.
Ellissa Thompson, California Native Garden Internship Coordinator ellissa@aicrc.org (925) 412-1250
Ellissa Thompson (Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma, Choctaw) grew up in the Bay Area and is grateful to be sharing her knowledge with the youth at AICRC. She found a love of gardening and radical agro-ecology through her mother, the community around her, and her trips to her homelands in Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Alabama. She has experience in farming, climate-wise California landscaping, Integrated Pest Management, and is always participating in various programs to learn more about working with the land. When she’s not gardening, she creates beadwork and cares for her dog, Alphie. She is excited to be a resource to her community and to be a part of AICRC youth's gardening journey!
Social Services
Darlyn Tsosie MSW, Foster Care Supervisor
darlyn@aicrc.org (510) 208-1870 x 315
Darlyn (Navajo), has worked at AICRC for over 10 years and receiving her Master’s Degree in Social Work from San Francisco State University. Currently, she is the Foster Care Supervisor and Administrator and Bay Area Collaboration of American Indian Resources (BACAIR) Team Decision Making (TDM) Coordinator for Alameda County. Her responsibilities include recruitment, certification of foster homes and keeping foster homes in regulation to Community Care Licensing. She is responsible for placement of Native children in foster care looking for caring Native foster homes and working with Child Protective Service and Native American Tribes regarding ICWA compliance. As a Team Decision Making Coordinator she also provided Native identified families in the child welfare system culturally appropriate resources through collaborations with other Native programs and agencies.
Andrew DeMers LMFT, Therapist andrew@aicrc.org (510) 208-1870 x 303
Andrew was born in Troy, NY and is of European, African, and other decent. He received his Bachelor’s of Arts in Dance from Hunter College with the City University of New York in 1998. He then went on to receive a Master’s of Science in Teaching at Pace University in New York, NY. He taught for four years in Red Hook, Brooklyn; in elementary and special education. Andrew received his Master’s of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Seton Hill University in Greensburg, PA in 2010. He has been working in the field of mental health ever since. He currently attends Alliant International University in Sacramento, CA in pursuit of a Doctorate of Psychology in Marriage and Family Therapy. He is excited to be a member of AICRC’s staff as the Project Director for the Native American Child Abuse Treatment grant and will be providing individual, group, and family counseling through AICRC’s various programs.
Linda Alston , Indian Child Welfare Act Case Manager linda@aicrc.org (510) 208-1870 x 314
Linda is a dedicated ICWA Case Manager with more than 25 years of experience in family advocacy. With a background in social services, she's spent decades working closely with families in various capacities. From enrollment assistance to transition planning and navigating support systems, her focus is on building meaningful connections and providing the support and resources families need to thrive.
Mia Cruz , MFTI. Therapist Intern mia@aicrc.org (510) 208-1870 x 302
Shelina Mia Cruz (she/her) is an enrolled member with the Te-Moak Western Shoshone Southfork Band, she is an educator, hospice nurse, Indigenous death doula, and is an alumnus of the First Nations Indigenous End-of-Life Guide, at Douglas College of Canada. She is also a Master of Arts candidate in the Community Mental Health Program at California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) of San Francisco, California.