Communities In Schools of Chatham County

For 25 years bringing Chatham County Together!

People

Jennifer Melos

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“There’s something in you that the world needs” – anonymous

Born in Charlottesville, Virginia and raised in Siler City, North Carolina – Jennifer was educated in the Chatham County School System. In 2019, she obtained an Associates degree in Business Administration from Central Carolina Community College.

During her younger years, Jennifer participated in Chatham County Together! with the Hablando Claro program, where she gained a desire to become a Therapist. Although she had obstacles that did not lead her to that career, she still has a passion for helping those in need, especially youth.

Jennifer’s goal is to help the youth overcome traumas so they can stay out of trouble, work towards their goals, and succeed in life with confidence.

In her free time, Jennifer likes spending time with her family, watching recipe videos and trying out new dishes at different restaurants. She also enjoys traveling, taking walks to clear the mind and camping.

Bieisy Sevilla

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Bieisy Sevilla was born and raised in Siler City, NC and attended Chatham County Schools throughout elementary, middle, and high school. After graduating from Jordan Matthews High School in 2014, Bieisy went on to pursue her associates degree in Human Service Technology with a focus on Substance Abuse at Randolph County Community College, graduating in 2018.

As a former Chatham County Together! and Communities In Schools of Chatham County (CISCC) volunteer and staff member, Bieisy begins her second stint with CISCC as the Community Service & Restitution program coordinator. In her previous role with CISCC, Bieisy served as the program assistant for three CISCC community-based programs: Community Service & Restitution, Family Advocacy, and Teen Court. She looks forward to using her education and previous experience with CISCC to grow the program to new heights in support of youth working their way through the Juvenile Justice system.

Bieisy has a deep passion for helping others, specifically the Latino youth across Chatham County navigating their way toward adulthood. “I have always wanted to help out other people since I can remember. I want to return the favor that other people provided me when I needed the help growing up.”

Ilsen Lopez

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Ilsen grew up in Siler City, NC and although she left Siler City after high school, she came back and is now ready to make a difference in the lives of Chatham County students. Ilsen is an alumni of Siler City Elementary, Chatham Middle, and Jordan Mathews High School. She is hoping this role will provide her an opportunity to further her educational goals in the future and to grow as an individual.

Her goals for students at Chatham Middle School are to know they are being listened to, heard, understood, and most importantly – to feel supported in every way along their journey through education and life. Ilsen loves spending quality time with her daughter and family, and hopes to be the best role model she can be.

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…” ― Dr. Seuss

Veronica Nunez

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Veronica Nunez was born in Los Angeles, California; however, she moved to Siler City after high school graduation in 1996. Her family was looking for a new beginning. At first, she worked as an interpreter for Chatham Hospital. It was there where she decided to pursue a career in human services. Veronica followed this goal by becoming a student in the Registered Nursing program, but she could not continue. Everything changed when she started working at Chatham Child Development Center (CCDC) as a teacher assistant. She enjoyed working with students and their families; therefore, she pursued becoming a Chatham county school employee. Veronica had many roles as a Chatham County employee, such as secretary, interpreter, and data manager.

Growing up, her parents did not speak English; therefore, it was hard for them to assist her brother and her with homework or have school involvement. Often her mother worked long hours, and her father is disabled. Her parents did not reach out for support nor seek programs available due to the language. As a result, Veronica promised herself that she would help non- English speaking parents and be their voice when she was older. She looks forward to utilizing her skills and experiences in support of the GYS Youth FIRST program.

Eva Depaz

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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.

Travis Patterson

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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.”

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