Lived Experience Advisory Board
Below is a list of some of the Fresno Madera Continuum of Care Lived Experience Advisory Board members.
Allis Vallego
Member
Andrea Owen
Member
Hi my name is Andrea Owen I was selected to be apart of LEAB after submitting my application. I have been apart of the Board since it has started. I am honored to sit with a group of people who care about the needs and well beings of others from all walks of life. I feel that my experience from a Foster Child, substance abuse, mental anguish, trauma, abandonment issues and homelessness would help others including all the staff understand more about the why people are homeless and its not always because of drugs!! Coming from a person who has not only lived it but a person who has overcome a lot of these issues. I'm still a working progress, but to be totally honest we are all a working progress. Blessings & Love
Audra Hewlett
LEAB Secretary
Audra Hewlett is a native of Thornton Colorado and moved the San Joaquin Valley in 2005 to join her best friend who is from Fresno. Audra pursued her degree in accounting and graduated in 2007 with her associate degree from Heald College. In 2011 due to unfortunate circumstances, she became homeless for a period of 8 years. During those years, she became well-known with the unhoused community and was the voice of reason to many. In 2019 she was offered permanent supportive housing through Turning Point and continues to reside there today. Audra does not forget her time being homeless and when the opportunity presented her to become the secretary on the LEAB board she was honored and accepted. Audra works a full-time job and is a doggie mamma to 6 dogs that she acquired during her time being homeless. Audra strives daily to utilize her voice so the unhoused will be given fair and equal opportunities for housing.
Mary Mason
Member
Francine Ramirez
Member
In Rememberance
Terrence Prayer
Posthumous Member
Mr. Prayer was a native Californian who traveled nationally and has experienced hardships and homelessness intermittently with varying outcomes. He was originally from the San Diego area and lived in several other counties throughout the state. His most recent homeless experience began in 2021. Retiring from his job due to health reasons, he lost his employee housing and found himself without the resources to relocate. He reached out to both the Veteran’s Affairs Dept and Fresno Housing Authority for help. Because of their assistance and guidance, he secured long term housing and services. He joined the LEAB so that he could share what he considers a success story to show others that the system can also work for them. During his time as a member, he was dedicated to assisting the LEAB in lifting the voices of the homeless and participating in the activities that advocated for services.