Staff

Since joining the CIS Chatham County team as the organization’s first student support specialist in July 2014, Tych has served in a number of capacities with the agency – most recently as Director of School Based Programs. Starting April 1, 2020 Tych will assume the role of Executive Director. His focus will be aimed at supporting the 7 CIS school and community based programs, by continuing to build on their strong tradition of youth and family support. Tych will also assist with social media communications, expansion support, and community engagement as well as program oversight and personnel management.

Tych arrived in North Carolina just under 10 years ago from Topeka, Kansas after completing his Masters of Business Administration at Washburn University. Tych has held a wide variety of roles throughout his professional career, and joined the CIS Chatham County team after two years as an Operations Assistant with the University of North Carolina football team. Tych has been a teacher, coach, and mentor, and is excited for the opportunity to utilize his people skills and passion for community development. In his free time, you can find Tych firing up the grill, playing with his 13 year old pitbull named Slim, and enjoying the outdoors with his wife Courtney.

Born in Washington State and moving to Siler City at a young age – Perla Ayala was educated in the Chatham County School system – working her way through Siler City Elementary, Chatham Middle School, and Jordan Matthews High School – graduating in 2010.

As a first-generation college graduate – earning her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting – Perla will bring her passion for helping youth and business experience to her role as Chief Operations Officer.

Perla was first introduced to CIS Chatham County through her engagement as a high school volunteer with two Family Advocacy programs – Hablando Claro and Cuidate, and now returns in her role as COO. She maintains her commitment to being a positive role model for youth in the community, and is excited to take on this new opportunity. When she is not crunching numbers and building budgets, you can find Perla spending time with her beautiful family, including her two lovely children – one who is in third grade at Siler City Elementary.

She is inspired by the quote ‘everything is possible if you believe in yourself’, and looks forward to helping grow CIS Chatham’s impact in the years to come.

Born and raised in Siler City, North Carolina; Eva Depaz was educated in the Chatham County school system. Since a very young age, Eva always knew she wanted to do something with children. As Eva grew and gained experiences in the community she realized that working with children was not enough to fulfill her career goals.

There is more to bettering a child’s life; she realized that the overall well-being of the family as a whole is essential. She now dreams of empowering children’s lives and helping families strive for a better future. The family is the most important foundation in a child’s life!

She has served in many different roles throughout her career; including nine years of experience working with children and families in this community. Eva is a strong believer that it is essential that we put our care and love into our children today because they are our future tomorrow! If we grow successful children and families, then our world will be better and full of wonderful things.

“The best way to predict your future is to create it” –Abraham Lincoln.

Lydia is a dedicated Community Service and Restitution Program Manager with a passion for empowering underserved and diverse communities. With thirteen years of experience in administration, Lydia implemented initiatives aimed at improving healthcare outcomes and reducing disparities among diverse communities. Lydia is dedicated to building networks that promote collaboration and foster community development.

Beyond their managerial responsibilities, Lydia is deeply involved in advocacy efforts aimed at addressing systemic barriers to social and economic equality. Lydia strives to amplify the voices of marginalized communities and advocate for policies that promote equity and inclusion.

With a steadfast commitment to serving others and a track record of impactful community engagement, Lydia continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those she serves, embodying the values of compassion, integrity, and social responsibility. Lydia is a catalyst for positive change, striving to create an environment where everyone feels valued and supported. Lydia finds inspiration in nature, photography, and painting.

Janet was born and raised in North Carolina in the small town of Siler City. She attended Siler City Elementary, but then was moved into Virginia Cross Elementary as one of the first group of students. Fun Fact: she was selected to participate in the ribbon cutting for VCE. Now, she transitions as our first VCE Alumni Student Support Specialist.

Following her high school education, she completed her Bachelors in Public Health with a concentration in Community Health at East Carolina University in May 2023. Janet is a First-Generation student ,and is currently working towards her Masters Degree in continuation of Public Health. With parents who traveled away from their beloved hometown in Mexico to the United States for a hopeful future, she understands the gaps that exist for students getting a high quality education and the importance of parent’s involvement.

Janet shares a passion for community involvement whether it be through organizations or events. To which she expressed a high desire to work in Chatham County. Janet lives by the quote “No dejes que tu mano izquierda sepa lo que hace la derecha” which translates to “Don’t let your right hand see what your left hand is doing”. Which means that when you truly help from the heart, you should never expect anything in return. Janet deeply believes that working with Communities In Schools is the opportunity to follow her beliefs and help the community.

To every thing, there is a season, and a time for every purpose…

Travis is a life-long Chatham County native, and first became involved with CISCC in 2009 as a surveyor for what was then Chatham County Together’s! Plain Talk/Hablando Claro program. In 2010, Travis joined the permanent staff at CCT! as the Program Assistant for the Mentoring Children of Prisoners program, and served in several capacities until 2015, when the winds of change blew.

Travis stayed close to home and mission, and continued to empower youth and other community members through various projects and through work with other organizations. As of March 1, 2021, Travis returned to CISCC as the Community Service and Restitution Program Manager, and now looks forward to bringing his passion and perspective for youth services to the CIS Chatham team in his new role as GYS High School Success Coach at Jordan Matthews High School. As Frederick Douglass said, “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.”

I grew up in Chatham County and attended Siler City Elementary, Bonlee Elementary, Chatham Middle and graduated from Jordan Matthews High School in 2007.

Growing up, the most challenging part for me was learning the academic part and the language at the same time. Being an immigrant showed me first hand the difficulties and the lack of resources that families can experience on a daily basis. This is a reason I am committed to be a tool to help our community. Understanding that our children do not learn the same way and their needs are different is essential to be able to guide them to success.

My favorite quote is from the book Horton Hears a Who! By Dr. Seuss “A person’s a person, no matter
how small.”

Ruby was born and raised in North Carolina and continues living in Siler City. She attended Siler City Elementary, Chatham Middle School, and then graduated from Jordan Matthews in 2020.

Coming from immigrant parents, Ruby has always understood things aren’t as easy for them as they are for her. Growing up, she always wanted to become a teacher and she did, but she realized she wanted more and found an opportunity to deepen her skills with CISCC.
Ruby is excited about this new role with CISCC. She looks forward to continuing working with her teammates to grow CIS’s mission.

“I want families to know that we are here to help. And that we will support them to do better little by little. I want kids to know that if they try they can bring out the best version of themselves”.