Read below for important updates from CALICO Dear Kelsi,
The past several months have been a season of change and reflection for CALICO. Since our last newsletter, we have welcomed new team members, said goodbye to others as they moved on to new opportunities, and continued navigating the many changes that come with growth. Through it all, one thing has remained constant: the dedication and care of the people who make CALICO what it is.
I have been so proud of our staff and the way they continue to show up every day for children, families, and each other. The work we do is not easy, but it is incredibly important. It takes compassion, patience, resilience, and a belief that every child deserves to be heard, supported, and believed. I have seen our team bring those values to their work every single day, even during times of change, and I could not be more grateful for the commitment they bring to CALICO's mission.
After eight years with CALICO, I am moving on from CALICO. My journey here began in 2018 as a Child Interview Specialist, and over the years I have had the privilege of growing through several roles, including Victim Services Coordinator, Deputy Director, and Executive Director. Leading CALICO for the past two years has been one of the greatest honors of my career.
What makes CALICO special has always been the people behind the work. It is the interviewers who sit with children during some of their most difficult moments, the advocates who support families, the multidisciplinary partners who come together to help children and caregivers, and the supporters who believe in the importance of this mission. I feel incredibly lucky to have been part of this organization and to have worked alongside so many people who care deeply about this work.
As I step away from CALICO, I leave knowing that this organization is in good hands. CALICO is strong because of the people who continue to bring their knowledge, compassion, and dedication to this work every day. I know this team will continue to make a difference for children and families throughout our community.
Thank you to everyone who has supported CALICO, partnered with us, and believed in the importance of this work. It has been an honor to be part of this organization for the past eight years, and I will always be grateful for the people, experiences, and memories that have shaped my time here.
Every person who has been part of CALICO has contributed something meaningful to its story. I feel fortunate to have been one small part of that journey, and I know the next Executive Director will have the opportunity to build on the strong foundation created by those who came before.
Thank you for allowing me to be part of CALICO’s story. It has been an honor to serve alongside so many dedicated colleagues, partners, and supporters, and I look forward to seeing the impact CALICO will continue to have for children and families in the years ahead. With gratitude, Nadia Bueno Executive Director
Thank you to our supportersOne of the things that makes CALICO so special is the community that surrounds us. We are grateful to the individuals, organizations, and partners who support our mission and help us create a safe, welcoming environment for the children and families we serve.
Leadership Fremont Helps Create a More Welcoming Space:
We are excited to share that the bathroom renovation project led by Leadership Fremont, a Program of the Fremont Chamber of Commerce, has been completed!
We are incredibly grateful to Leadership Fremont and all of the participants who chose CALICO as the focus of their community impact project. Their generosity, hard work, and commitment to supporting our organization have transformed a space that is used every day by children, families, and staff.
The updated bathrooms are beautiful and provide a more comfortable and welcoming environment for the children and families who visit CALICO, as well as the staff who support them. We are thankful to Leadership Fremont for helping us create a space that reflects the care and compassion at the heart of our work. We are also grateful to Sister Leah Hunter, Worthy Matron of Regina Chapter No. 67, a subordinate chapter of the Golden State Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. Leah and fellow members of Chapter No. 67 donated 118 stuffed animals to CALICO. Leah’s connection to CALICO began years ago while she worked as a Dependency Investigations Child Welfare Worker. Reflecting on that experience, she shared: “During my 10 years as a Dependency Investigations CWW, I remember sitting in many CALICO interview sessions. What is most vivid in my memory is not the content of the interviews, but the care given to children and families during and after the interview process. I remember sitting in the debriefing room with CALICO staff and law enforcement and looking at the wall. That wall with blankets and stuffed animals just resonated with me. I told myself so many years ago, ‘I want to give to that wall.’” We are thankful Leah was able to turn that wish into reality. These stuffed animals will bring comfort to children who visit CALICO during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. A Meaningful
Memorial GiftWe are also grateful to the Optimist Club and Laney Boyle for a very special donation of approximately 230 stuffed animals collected in memory of Laney’s late husband, Tighe Boyle.
Instead of flowers for his memorial service, Laney asked friends and family to bring stuffed animals that could be donated to CALICO. This thoughtful gesture created a meaningful way to honor Tighe’s life while bringing comfort to children in our community. Laney shared that Tighe was “a real force of nature” and that when others were ready to give up, he always kept going. We are honored that his memory will continue through this act of kindness and generosity.
Thank you to everyone who continues to support CALICO in ways both big and small. Every contribution helps us create a place where children and families feel cared for, supported, and heard. Over the last quarter, CALICO welcomed new staff who bring valuable experience, compassion, and a shared commitment to supporting children and families. We are excited to share more about those who carry out CALICO’s mission daily. Welcome, Christi Waybright!Christi joined CALICO in May 2026 and brings a strong background in law enforcement and criminal justice. Prior to joining our team, Christi served as a Detective with the Newark Police Department and as a Crime Analyst with the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office.
Christi has a Master's degree in Administration of Justice and Security and a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice Administration. We are grateful to have Christi’s experience and perspective as part of the CALICO team. Yeti joined CALICO in May 2026 and has already become a beloved member of our team. Before joining CALICO, Yeti worked alongside his handler, Christi, at the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office. Yeti is a registered service animal who has received specialized training to support Christi. In addition to his important role, Yeti enjoys greeting everyone who walks through CALICO’s doors and has quickly become a favorite among staff and visitors alike. Jesse joined CALICO in May 2026 as a Family Advocate. Prior to joining our team, Jesse worked as a Victim Advocate with the District Attorney’s Office in Ventura County, where she supported victims of violent crime. Jesse holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. In her role at CALICO, Jesse provides direct support and services to non-offending caregivers, helping families navigate the child abuse response process and connect with resources during challenging times. Celebrating CALICO's partnersPartner Appreciation LunchIn late April, we got to say thank you to so many of CALICO's essential partners at our Partner Appreciation Lunch. Our partners include our Multi-Disciplinary Team members including CPS social workers, health care workers, law enforcement, personnel from the district attorney's office, and more! We appreciate our partners so much- tacos are the least we can do! CACC Launches the Next Chapter of
California Forensic Interview TrainingCACC is proud to have successfully hosted it's first California Forensic Interview Training (CFIT), ensuring this essential foundational training continues to be available for professionals across the state following the closure of CIR. After a gap of more than six months since the last CFIT was offered, this training marked an important milestone in restoring access to foundational forensic interviewer training in California.  To make the training accessible to professionals throughout the state, CFIT was offered in a virtual format, allowing participants from a wide range of communities to attend without the barriers of travel. Led by experienced trainers Monica Borunda and Suzie Walsh, with day-of support from Emma Zornes, the inaugural CACC training welcomed 37 professionals beginning their journey as forensic interviewers. Training Coordinator Kristy Brodeur Dermody led CACC's planning and coordination of the training, overseeing the many logistical and organizational details that made the event possible. The response from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with 100% rating the training as Good or Excellent and 96.15% reporting they plan to incorporate what they learned into their work.
This successful launch reflects CACC's commitment to strengthening California's multidisciplinary response to child abuse by investing in the next generation of forensic interviewers. We are grateful to Monica Borunda, Suzie Walsh, Emma Zornes, Kristy Brodeur Dermody, our participants, and our partners for helping make this milestone possible, and we look forward to offering many more CFIT trainings in the years ahead.
Nadia Bueno has been a deeply valued part of CALICO for eight years. She stepped into the Executive Director role at a critical time and led the organization with deep dedication, compassion, and steadiness.
During her tenure, staff felt genuinely supported, trusted, and cared for, and Nadia worked hard to ensure they had what they needed to continue serving children and families through periods of significant change. Even while carrying the responsibilities of Executive Director, she remained closely connected to CALICO’s direct work, including stepping in as recently as this year to conduct forensic interviews in Spanish. With Nadia’s departure, CALICO’s Board of Directors is working diligently to identify the organization’s next Executive Director. We are committed to finding a leader who will support CALICO’s exceptional staff, strengthen our community partnerships, and carry this vital work forward.
CALICO could use the help of others who believe in our mission. We are seeking new volunteer board members, particularly people interested in supporting fundraising and community outreach. Donations of any size are also deeply appreciated and help ensure that children and families continue to receive compassionate, coordinated services. To learn more about joining the Board or otherwise supporting CALICO, please contact me at boardpresident@calicocenter.org. Thank you for supporting CALICO! Best regards,
Best regards, Kelsi Perttula Board President Thank you to all of our supportersCALICO could not complete its mission without help from our donors. We would like to thank the donors from this calendar year, and more regularly as we move forward. CALICO could not do its work without your financial help! Organizational Support Alameda Co. Prosecutors' Association Alameda Co. Supervisor, District 3 Canary Marketing Fremont Bank Foundation Greek Orthodox Cathedral Ascension Golf Tournament Ohlone Comm College District Fdn Rotary Club of San Leandro San Leandro Garden Club Washington Hospital
In Kind Alameda County Fair Blankets for Kids Chalet Restaurant Group Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church Oakland Roots SC Optimist Club of Castro Valley (x4!) Order of the Eastern Star: Chapter 67 San Leandro Garden Club
Individual Donors In Kind Cheryl M. Cary C. Cathryn W.
Monthly Recurring Hugo P.
Donors Adam V. Adkins Family Alan K. Albert C. Alejandra H. Amanda C. Amanda M. Amy B. Andrea W. Arthur H. AVA M. Betty H. Blake V. Bonnie B. Briggitte L. Bruce T. Carlyn C. Chao Y. Chelsea S. Cheryl B. Chloe P. Christopher S. Dana S. Daniel K. Danielle W. David H. Deniz H. Diane D. Diane G. Donald J. Drew P. Earl E. Edward C. Elaine Jenny P. Elaine P. Francisca S. Gabrielle O. Gisela H. Gisselle M. Gorette A. Hannah J. Heather P. Heidi K. Hing P. Holly A. Hugo P. Inta B. Isaac M. Jan B. Jana H. Jane L. Jasmine D. Jason L. Jaspreet K. Jeffrey B. Jennifer S. Jeri Dawn L. Individual Donors (cont.) Jessica l. Jessica S. Joan K. Joe F. Jose R. Justine D. Karl G. Kasey T. Kathy K. Kayla G. Kelly M. Kelsi O. Kelsi P. Kenneth K. Kenneth P. Kim B. Kitty S. Kristin F. Kristin P. Kristin W. Laura A. Laura H. Laura L. Laurel P. Lauren B. Laurrl P. Lesley P. Lindsay H. Lindsey K. Lisa S. Lyn S. Marcus W. Marissa H. Matthew S. Megan M. Melissa P. Mercel A. Michael B. Michael H. Michael M. Michael P. Michele T. Michelle H. Mike & Danielle S. Mike R. Nadia B. Nancy E. Nathan F. Nicholas L. Nikki B. Paul K. Paula M. Pinky Rose J. Quincy A. Rajbir R. Rebecca H. Rebecca O. Rebecca R. Recha B. (x2!) Renee P. Russ P. Ryan B. Sabrina V. Sandra P. Sarika P. Scott M. Scottybob H. Shannon S. Shari K. Shira K. Starr M. Stephanie N. Susan T. Tammi T. Thomas D. Thomas N. Tiffany H. Toni L. Troy R. Valerie S. Veronica C. Veronica P. Victoria R. Wendy B. Xin C. |
