From Passion to Profession: Growing your skills and building a career in youth work.
Friday, March 14 10:00-12:00 at Wellstone Center
REGISTER HERE FOR FROM PASSION TO PROFESSION
Ready to take your passion for helping young people to the next level? Join us at the next Sprockets Network Gathering! We’ve invited inspiring leaders from the youth work field to share their personal stories, challenges, and expert tips on building your skills, navigating career paths, and overcoming obstacles along the way. Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up, you’ll leave with fresh ideas, actionable advice, and the motivation to take the next step in your youth work journey.
Check out our panelists and look for more updates to come!
Alyssa Lasar, Community Recreation Specialist, Saint Paul Parks and Recreation.
Alyssa is a passionate and dedicated youth worker with a decade of experience supporting young people in their personal growth and empowerment. She is deeply committed to creating safe, inclusive, and inspiring spaces where youth can flourish—whether through engaging conversations, fun activities, or simply offering a compassionate ear during challenging times. Alyssa firmly believes in the transformative power of each individual to make a positive impact, both in their own life and in the lives of those around them.
Catrice O’Neal, Workforce Solutions Director and Executive Director of the Workforce Innovation Board at Ramsey County.
Catrice is a Licensed Graduate Social Worker with more than 10 years of strategic leadership experience overseeing academic enrichment and employment programs for youth and adults in the public and non-profit sectors. She currently serves as a member of DEED’s Diversity in Manufacturing (DiMi) Advisory Committee and has extensive experience as a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) consultant with expertise in advancing equity strategies for higher education and non-profit organizations. She is the founder and leader of a networking group for Black women in social work and is a proud mother to her 19-year-old son who is a sophomore at Morehouse College, a Historically Black College and University in Atlanta, GA.
Before working at Ramsey County, Catrice oversaw Brooklynk youth employment program and worked with Breakthrough Twin Cities.
Georgina Chinchilla Gonzalez, Executive Director, ComMUSICation
Georgina is a mission-driven leader passionate about helping youth and families thrive. As ComMUSICation's Executive Director, she works to ensure young people have access to high quality after school music programs.
Before taking a leadership role at ComMUSICation, she was in youth development at Girl Scouts of MN and WI River Valleys and as a Peace Corps volunteer, then moved into fundraising roles at Think Small and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.
Keem Anderson - Associate Director, Ignite Afterschool
Keem is a dedicated, creative, and highly qualified youth development professional. He has over 10 years of experience working in the youth development field within both community and education-based settings. Keem has demonstrated expertise in leading, coaching, supervising, and working collaboratively with professional staff and youth. With a strong passion for high quality youth programs, Keem has developed a passion and love for training staff, and became an expert in building capacity in youth work professionals. Keem is driven by new challenges, is a lifelong learner, and is a student of the Ella Baker philosophy of servant leadership and supporting others.
Before working with Ignite, Keem worked with youth at the YMCA, Beacons, and Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board.
Zong Vue, Associate Director, Asian American Organizing Project
Zong is a passionate community member who cares about social justice. She’s a mother of three ages 2, 14 and 16. She is a certified yoga instructor, enjoys practicing yoga, biking, hiking, jogging, weight lifting, and is a huge foodie. Her professional roots remain in St. Paul for the past 15 years in non-profit education, youth development, policy and evaluation. Zong is passionate about establishing new ways to disrupt the systems that perpetuate marginalized communities from advancing accessible education (Primary through Post-Secondary options), home ownership, reproductive rights, and civic engagement. She looks forward to navigating through this process with AAOP and supporting the operations of the team.
Before working at AAOPMN, Zong worked with youth and on behalf of youth at SPPS Flipside, Athletes Committed to Educating Students (ACES), and with Sprockets and Ignite Afterschool.