STAFF
Pamela Reséndiz Trujano, Executive Director, pamela@cojwj.org, 303.717.8240
Pamela is a graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio, and holds a B.A. in Political Science. Post-graduation, Pamela completed an internship with the Mexican American League Defense and Educational Fund and began working with the labor movement in Albuquerque as member coordinator with Working America and as mobilization coordinator with the Dallas AFL-CIO CLC. After serving as Executive Director of Texas Jobs with Justice, Pamela moved to Denver to serve as Deputy Director of United for a New Economy. Pamela is excited to use all of the skills and experiences they have learned running field programs, developing memberships, supervising and coaching staff, and preparing and coaching trainings to continue the work Colorado Jobs with Justice has done in Colorado to advance and defend workers rights and the inter-sectional identities workers hold.
“I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.”
― Angela Y. Davis
Caroline Casteel, Organizer, caroline@cojwj.org, 303.717.9827
Caroline has been an organizer for eight years, all of them here in Colorado, and almost half of those years at Jobs with Justice. She got her start in organizing when she moved back to her CO hometown, Pueblo, and joined up with the Colorado Progressive Coalition. Since then, she has endeavored to support people in discovering what they can contribute to the movement and developing these folks into the leaders they are meant to be. In her spare time, she can most often be found walking her sweet little furbaby, Louise, or running around after her sweet little niece and nephew, Nina and Cyrus, all of whom bring immense joy into her life. Otherwise, you’ll usually find her with her nose in a book, . Fun fact: Caroline can wiggle her ears and say the alphabet backwards … At the same time!
Faviola Armendariz, Organizer, faviola@cojwj.org
Faviola Armendariz, a Denverite local and a first generation graduate from Colorado State University, is a bilingual organizer with Colorado Jobs With Justice. A daughter of two immigrants, she saw the injustice and discrepancy her parents both faced. Faviola started volunteering with Mi Familia Vota, a nonprofit community organization that aims to lead in voter registrations and bring awareness to Latino and youth priorities. While volunteering, she learned the importance of canvassing and organizing communities to have voices heard. Before joining the Colorado Jobs With Justice team, Faviola worked with the Denver Office of Economic Development, to match youth with internships aligned with their career goals. Her work with a diverse population and different organization expanded her capacity to work with various groups. Now, Faviola works with Colorado Jobs With Justice on the Equity and Possibilities in Construction recruiting and retaining of women and people of color for union apprenticeship programs. She will continue to expand opportunities to those who seek a career and better quality of life.
“I am experience enough to do this. I am knowledgeable enough to do this. I am prepared enough to do this. I am mature enough to do this. I am brave enough to do this.” –Ocasio- Cortez
Eric Leveridge, Clean Slate Future of Labor Law Research Fellowship
Eric Leveridge is a Fellow with the Clean Slate Future of Labor Law Program at Harvard Law School. Mr. Leveridge is currently working with Colorado Jobs With Justice to build worker power while increasing the enforcement of labor standards in the Colorado construction industry. His legal and strategic research has supported power-building campaigns that challenge racist and economically exploitative systems in Colorado. Mr. Leveridge received his J.D. and LL.M. at American University Washington College of Law and his Master’s of Social Work at the University of Denver.
BOARD MEMBERS
All board members for Colorado Jobs with Justice are selected with the aim of broadening the set of political perspectives and backgrounds in labor and community organizations on the board.
Carlos Valdez: Carlos Valdez is a high school history teacher in Aurora Public Schools.He is also Chair of the Equity Council for the Aurora Education Association. Carlos serves as a board member of Colorado Jobs With Justice and brings experience in union organizing and solidarity campaigns. In addition to this, he has helped to advocate and create space for LGBTQ educators and BIPOC educators at the local, state and national level. Carlos received his B.A. at Metropolitan State University of Denver.
Carlos is originally from Los Angeles and is the son of undocumented parents. He and his family moved to Aurora, Colorado in 2001. His background helped begin his education and advocacy work with the Immigrant Services Program at MSU Denver. Carlos believes in a more equitable society and self-determination for historically marginalized people.
“Nobody in the world, nobody in history, has ever gotten their freedom by appealing to the moral sense of the people who were oppressing them.” - Assata Shakur
Josh Downey: Josh Downey was elected as the Denver Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO President in May of 2014 and re-elected in 2017. He had previously served as Chief of Staff and Political Director for the Service Employees International Union Local 105, spearheading the local’s electoral and legislative work. Prior to joining the labor movement, Josh was an organizing director for Grassroots Campaigns and MoveOn.org, helping to recruit and train thousands of volunteers to take grassroots political action.
Josh lives in Denver, Colorado with his wife Tara, daughter Pryor, and Son Theodore. He has a Bachelors degree in Politics from Drake University.
Victoria Gonzalez: Victoria Paige Gonzalez is a cultural producer dividing her time between Texas and Colorado. Currently, Gonzalez is the Digital Strategist for the Latino Cultural Arts Center (Denver, CO)–an interdisciplinary art complex that strengthens the knowledge of and appreciation for the extensive artistic expressions of Latinxs by preserving and highlighting the history and ongoing contributions. During the fall of 2018, she was selected to attend The Western States Arts Federation (WESTAF) Emerging Leaders of Color Conference–a regional non-profit arts service organization dedicated to the creative advancement and preservation of the arts. She graduated from the University of Houston with a BFA in Photography and Digital Media, with a minor in Interdisciplinary Art.
Originally from Houston, TX, Victoria has been working collectively with students and local arts community to expand opportunities for aspiring cultural workers. Victoria moved to Denver in 2016 to gain access to Latinx museums and work directly within her community. Victoria is passionate about learning how she can help fellow artists and cultural workers gain clarity in the ways we can come together to build dignity as facilitators of culture.
“...The master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house. They may allow us temporarily to beat him at his own game, but they will never enable us to bring about genuine change…” - Audre Lorde
Joe Deras: Joe Deras is a an organizer for Colorado Education Association. Originally from Aurora Colorado, Joe became involved in social justice struggles in college working on immigrant rights, racial justice, police accountability and labor rights. He moved to Florida in 2013 to support the tomato pickers organizing for better wages and working conditions. In 2014 he moved back and started as a field organizer for IUPAT where he organized for 6 years. He lives in southeast Denver where he is an active community member.
"Freedom is acquired by conquest, not by gift"- Paulo Freire, Pedagogy of the Oppressed
Contact the board: board@cojwj.org
Carlos is originally from Los Angeles and is the son of undocumented parents. He and his family moved to Aurora, Colorado in 2001. His background helped begin his education and advocacy work with the Immigrant Services Program at MSU Denver. Carlos believes in a more equitable society and self-determination for historically marginalized people.
“Nobody in the world, nobody in history, has ever gotten their freedom by appealing to the moral sense of the people who were oppressing them.” - Assata Shakur
Josh Downey: Josh Downey was elected as the Denver Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO President in May of 2014 and re-elected in 2017. He had previously served as Chief of Staff and Political Director for the Service Employees International Union Local 105, spearheading the local’s electoral and legislative work. Prior to joining the labor movement, Josh was an organizing director for Grassroots Campaigns and MoveOn.org, helping to recruit and train thousands of volunteers to take grassroots political action.
Josh lives in Denver, Colorado with his wife Tara, daughter Pryor, and Son Theodore. He has a Bachelors degree in Politics from Drake University.
Victoria Gonzalez: Victoria Paige Gonzalez is a cultural producer dividing her time between Texas and Colorado. Currently, Gonzalez is the Digital Strategist for the Latino Cultural Arts Center (Denver, CO)–an interdisciplinary art complex that strengthens the knowledge of and appreciation for the extensive artistic expressions of Latinxs by preserving and highlighting the history and ongoing contributions. During the fall of 2018, she was selected to attend The Western States Arts Federation (WESTAF) Emerging Leaders of Color Conference–a regional non-profit arts service organization dedicated to the creative advancement and preservation of the arts. She graduated from the University of Houston with a BFA in Photography and Digital Media, with a minor in Interdisciplinary Art.
Originally from Houston, TX, Victoria has been working collectively with students and local arts community to expand opportunities for aspiring cultural workers. Victoria moved to Denver in 2016 to gain access to Latinx museums and work directly within her community. Victoria is passionate about learning how she can help fellow artists and cultural workers gain clarity in the ways we can come together to build dignity as facilitators of culture.
“...The master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house. They may allow us temporarily to beat him at his own game, but they will never enable us to bring about genuine change…” - Audre Lorde
Joe Deras: Joe Deras is a an organizer for Colorado Education Association. Originally from Aurora Colorado, Joe became involved in social justice struggles in college working on immigrant rights, racial justice, police accountability and labor rights. He moved to Florida in 2013 to support the tomato pickers organizing for better wages and working conditions. In 2014 he moved back and started as a field organizer for IUPAT where he organized for 6 years. He lives in southeast Denver where he is an active community member.
"Freedom is acquired by conquest, not by gift"- Paulo Freire, Pedagogy of the Oppressed
Contact the board: board@cojwj.org
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