Family Care Center

I was born in Manila, Philippines but was raised in the United States since the age of five.  It was through the Salvation Army that I became a Christian and received my calling to be a Salvation Army officer.  It has been a wonderful thirty years of officership with all its challenges and blessings.  Twenty of those years were spent ministering to those with alcohol and drug addictions through the Harbor Light Center in Seattle and San Francisco.  I often say that it is never too late to go to college, and I am living proof.  It took me twenty years, but I finally accomplished my goal in 2000 when I graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Organizational Management.  My husband, Larry, and I spent seven years in beautiful Alaska before receiving our present appointment to CFOT, which we feel blessed and honored to be a part of.

I was born in Pasadena, California and raised in Glendale, California. After attending Herbert Hoover High, I went to San Diego State University.  There, I received a Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development. Over the years after college, I lived in a number of places and had a number of different types of jobs.   Colorado Springs, Colorado where I worked at Junior Academy Preschool as an aide, teacher, and then Assistant Director, Long Beach, California where I worked as a teller in a bank, Newport Beach, California got promoted to a banking supervisor.  In 1981, I took a job working for the resort known as Club Med and traveled and worked in a number of places.  Starting in the Bahamas, then Mexico, then Martinique, then Italy, then Greece.     I also had a chance to live in France for awhile.
In 1987 we settled in Rancho Palos Verdes, where my 2 children, Serge and Magali have grown up.  While they were growing up I worked in banking again, Operations/Audit Officer, and then in manufacturing as a Human Resource Director.  I also volunteered for AYSO, Mira Catalina school, Bay Harbor Hockey and Coastal Quest Soccer Club.  My kids are now both on their own.  Serge, my son, is a motorcycle mechanic, Hondas and Harleys and my daughter is a Junior at Long Beach State.
In 2000 I received my Masters degree in Early Childhood Education and went back to working with children.  I was a teacher’s aide at Isabel Patterson Lab School at Long Beach State, then a head teacher at Children’s World here in RPV, went to work for Mattel Toys at their Child Development Center, and left the position of Assistant Director there in 2005.  I’ve been with the Salvation Army only a short time, but I am really enjoying my position here.  The staff and families and especially the children have made me feel very welcome.

Karla Bozic

I was born in Sinj, Croatia, where I lived until I moved to Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, to attend Law School.   After I received my Criminal Law degree, I worked for the government for fifteen years.  The government sector I worked for would be most closely described as the Social Security Department here in the U.S.  When the war in Croatia broke out in 1991, I moved to San Pedro with my husband Zeljko and two daughters Ana and Nina.   I worked at a child day care center, Discovery World, for three and a half years, before my husband and I gave the restaurant business a shot.  We owned a restaurant in La Mirada for a year, before I came back to work with children.  I currently have 40 college credit hours in Early Childhood Education.  I have been with the Salvation Army since February 14, 1998 and look forward to many more years here.

Nina Bozic

I was born on April 11, 1982 in Zagreb, Croatia.  I lived there until 1991, when my family moved to San Pedro.  I have lived there with my sister and parents ever since.  I attended Pt. Fermin Elementary School, Dana Middle School and then San Pedro High School.   After high school I attended Harbor College before transferring to Cal State Long Beach to earn my business degree.  I am currently working here at Family Care as well as taking my last class at CSULB before I graduate.  I work with the preschool class with Mrs. Neli in the mornings and with the Middlers in the afternoons.  I have been with the Salvation Army Family Care for almost six years and in this time, I have come to realize how much I enjoy working with kids.  This has made me give serious consideration to getting my teaching credentials and becoming a full time elementary school teacher.

Emilia Davila

My name is Emilia Davila.  I was born and raised in Acapulco, Mexico and immigrated with my family to the United States in 1993.  I studied at Narbonne High School in Harbor City and attended el Camino College for 5 years.  I decided to go back to school 3 years ago and completed my BA in Early Childhood Education at California State Dominguez Hills.  I have been working with children for 9 years and in Family Care Center for the past 7 years.  I love what I do and my goal is to continue my education and grow with the Salvation Army.

Crystal Gee

Hello, my name is Crystal le June Autumn Payton-Gee, better known to close friends as Clap G.  I was born on April 13,1984 in the city of Bellflower.   I have 7 sisters and three brothers.  I have a wonderful husband (my high school sweetheart) and an adorable 3 year-old son (my little spider man).  I have been working since the age of 13 and from the moment I started working with children, I knew that it was what I wanted to do in life.  My first jobs were Knott’s Berry Farm, Sears, Target, Walgreen’s and a little telemarketing.  I started working with kids as a volunteer at Optimal Christian Academy and later became an after school supervisor and a substitute teacher.  For the past 3 years I have worked as a facility manager in all boys group homes for juvenile delinquents.   I currently attend the University of Phoenix (on line) where I am seeking my degree in Sociology and Criminal Justice.  I am a member of Zion Temple Community Church in the city of Los Angeles where I am very involved in the youth ministries.  I am also a camp counselor for the United Bible outreach program for inner city youth.  I love to sing, dance and write poetry, but my passion is working with children who need encouraging.  I believe that I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me and I plan to be a positive influence to our society’s next generation so that they can become all that they are capable of in life.

My name is Luisa Martinez, I was born and raised in Nicaragua.  I have four sisters and one brother.  I went to school and graduated as an Elementary School Teacher.  I got married and I have one daughter and one granddaughter.  I came to live in United States in California which is now my adopted and beloved Country.  I have been with the Salvation Army for 22 years and look forward to many more.

Neli Yevdayeva

I was born and raised in the southern part of the former Soviet Union, the Republic of Azerbajan.  Upon graduating from High School, I was accepted into Pedagogical College followed by 5 year studying in Azerbajani State University in the Department of child Psychology and Development.   In 1991, my entire family, including my mom, husband, two sons and myself, immigrated to the United States and settled down in San Pedro.  All of the positions I have held since coming to the United States were related to working with children.  I accepted my current teaching position with the Salvation Army in 1997.
And lastly, I am a proud grandmother of two first-generations Americans: 9 year-old Edward and two-year old Elizabeth.

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