At South Los Angeles Health Projects we work diligently to improve the health and wellbeing of our participants. We pride ourselves in delivering excellent nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and community referrals.
Take some time to view the spotlights of our customer service champions.
Odessa Salazar
Hello, I’m Odessa Salazar, a WIC Degree Nutritionist from the Florence WIC site. I have worked for WIC for over 23 years, three years in San Diego. I started working for WIC right out of college and continue to enjoy it.
The most rewarding aspect of my job is watching the children we serve grow from birth until they turn five years old and graduate from the WIC Program. As a WIC Degreed Nutritionist, I provide nutritional education and support for our women and children with health or medical conditions. I take great pride in ensuring these women and children get the extra nutritional support they need.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, and I love to bake and cook. My family recently got a puppy this summer, and we can’t wait to watch her grow and become part of our family.
WIC Nutrition Assistant II
Theresa Martin
My name is Theresa Martin, and I am a WIC Nutritional Assistant II. I have worked for Lundquist WIC for 23 years.
My favorite part of the job is being in a role where I can make a difference in someone’s life. I am particularly passionate about providing nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and offering referrals as needed. I also deeply appreciate the support I receive from my coworkers daily.
Outside work, I enjoy spending time with my family, walking, and hiking. We hope to explore new places in the future.
Breastfeeding Peer Counselor / WIC Nutrition Assistant I
Erika Monterrosas
Hi, I am Erika Monterrosas, a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor and WIC Nutrition Assistant. I’ve been working at the South Gate WIC Office for two years. I’m from Mexico City and came to the United States when I was 16. Since then, I have lived in LA County. I have worked at SLAHP for 18 years, helping my community reach their goals.
My favorite part of my job is all the people I meet, and I help them reach their breastfeeding and nutrition goals. Being a part of the South Gate Team has helped expand my wings with knowledge and experience.
Outside of work, I love to spend time with my family. One of my favorite things is to cook and work out. I enjoy hiking and exploring new places. My biggest dreams are to have my own restaurant and become a professional chef.
Child Development Specialist / WIC Nutrition Assistant I
Noelia Gonzalez-Salas, AA
Hello, I am Noelia Gonzalez-Salas, the Child Development Specialist/Nutrition Assistant and the Little by Little Lead at the Manchester WIC office. I have been working for WIC for almost 20 years this year.
What I enjoy most about working at WIC is observing the excitement when preparing for Story Time and the parents listening attentively to the songs so they can sing them to their children at home. I also enjoy using the puppets to encourage problem-solving skills and revealing a book to the children as they await anxiously on the carpet. Another part of my job that I enjoy is giving hope to the parents by referring their children to the Regional Center.
Regarding hobbies, I enjoy experiencing nature through my camera lens by taking pictures of flowers, the ocean, rivers, and animals. I love creating memories.
Child Development Specialist / WIC Nutrition Assistant I
Christina Perez, BS
Hello, my name is Christina Perez. I am a Child Development Specialist/ WIC Nutrition Assistant at the Huntington Park WIC Office. I was born and raised in Los Angeles and graduated from Cal State Dominguez Hills.
The most rewarding aspect of my job is hearing parents express that the referral I gave them has improved their child’s life.
Outside of work, I love spending time with my beautiful daughters. We enjoy the outdoors and travel a lot. Locally, we go to Big Bear and have visited Hawaii, Canada, and Cabo San Lucas, among others. I also enjoy carrying on a tradition my father started with my siblings and me. Going to watch Dodgers games is my favorite hobby!
WIC Nutritionist
Marisela Mora, BS
My favorite part of my job is collaborating with participants to help them meet their needs. I enjoy providing individualized maternal and child nutrition education to our WIC families. I also enjoy working with individuals as passionate and committed to serving the community as I am.
Outside work, I enjoy spending time with my family, hiking, and attending concerts. I am also an animal lover who likes exploring nature and discovering new vegan restaurants.
Olga Torres
My favorite part of this job is supporting, advocating and empowering families. I must say, overall, I love working with children.
Outside of work, I am an outdoor person. I love camping, hiking, riding quads in the desert, and just sitting around the campfire enjoying conversations, s’mores, with family and friends. My faith and family are my world.
Management Information System Manager
Josenoe Vargas, BS
I am a first-generation Mexican-American born and raised in the South Bay of Los Angeles. I completed my undergraduate education in industrial technology at the California Polytechnic State University of San Luis Obispo. After working in the public and private sectors, I am now working for one of the most impactful non-profits in the nation that serves about 60,000 people a month!
Outside of work, I love to play soccer on the weekends, hike, explore new places to eat, travel, swim, paddleboard, and ski in the winter! My favorite hobbies are building computers, tinkering with electronics, and working on projects around the house while listening to audiobooks and podcasts. In addition, I am planning to start a Master’s program and share my future with all of you.
Child Development Specialist / WIC Nutrition Assistant I
Maribel Renteria, AA
Outside of work, I love to go see plays, go bowling, and visit tranquil places. My dream vacation is to visit Israel. I spend a lot of time with my family. I enjoy watching movies and eating homemade foods. The families we provide services to and all the remarkable people I work with; are the reason I want to come to work each day. I am thankful for all the kindness of the families we serve and of the agency I work for.
Breastfeeding Peer Counselor / WIC Nutrition Assistant I
Lilia Torres, CLE
My Favorite part of my job is working with the community and breastfeeding parents. I had engorgement with my first child and did not know. Therefore, I like to educate parents throughout their pregnancy so they don’t have the problems I had. Back then, we did not have the support we have now.
Outside of work I like to exercise by going to the gym twice a week, and crochet for myself and for others. I like to take walks during lunchtime 3 times per week. I like to travel and I have been traveling two to three times per year. I like to spend time with my family.