STAFF

Caryn Kallal, Youth Development Director

Her passion for serving others along with 25+ years of performing arts experience made it natural for Caryn to join Mika CDC as the Youth Arts Director of their urban arts program, Express Yourself.   Caryn joined the team after being involved in several other non-profit organizations in the Costa Mesa community.

Caryn is a member of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church where she has been involved in Community Outreach, heading up a task force that supports an orphanage in Tecate, Mexico and with the Drama Team in Children’s Ministries. Caryn is also pleased to have been appointed to the Cultural Arts Committee for the City of Costa Mesa where she has served since 2005.

Keturah Kennedy, Director of Operations

Keturah comes to us from the exciting land of Missouri.  She attended Vanguard University in Costa Mesa where she earned a BA in Cultural Anthropology.  Prior to working at MIKA CDC, Keturah was the Project Coordinator for the Compassion Capital Fund through We Care America.  She has a passion for community development and enjoys using her gifts to help support MIKA CDC.  Keturah is involved in her church, RockHarbor and enjoys playing golf in her spare time.

Jen Nash, Neighborhood Development Director

Originally from Oregon, Jennifer moved to California in 1991 to pursue her B.A. in Psychology at Biola University.  She began working with Mika CDC thru ROCKHARBOR after receiving her Masters in Social Work and Pupil Personnel Services Credential from Cal State Long Beach in May 2005 by serving as a neighborhood advisor on Center Street.  On staff since August 2006, she is excited to have the chance to tangibly meld her faith with her profession.  She loves having the opportunity to continually learn from the families on the Westside of Costa Mesa and volunteers from partner churches.  A true Oregonian at heart she loves hiking and will root for the Blazers no matter their record.

Crissy Brooks, Executive Director

Growing up in Costa Mesa Crissy felt drawn to the Latino community.  It was in high school that she felt a specific call from God to dedicate her life to urban ministry.  After graduating from Azusa Pacific University with a BA in Communication and a minor in Spanish, she spent three years in Caracas, Venezuela serving with Latin America ChildCare.  Her experiences there prepared her to minister in Westside Costa Mesa.  It was while directing an after-school teen program in the Shalimar neighborhood that Crissy began to develop relationships with the neighbors and to understand the complexities of the community. Crissy’s desire to see adults take part in community transformation led her to be part of the Mika Community Development Corporation founding team.  She is currently the Executive Director for MIKA CDC. Her greatest joy is seeing her neighbors and staff grow in their leadership abilities. 

Walter Garcia, Office Manager

Walter is from the always green country of Guatemala.  He came to California in October 2000 with his wife Carmen and two sons, Alex and Albert.  He has been involved with many different ministries both in native Guatemala and in his new home of California.  He earned his B.S. in Human Development with a minor in Business from Hope International University.  He joined the Mika CDC team August 2007.  He attends The Crossing Church where he loves to serve and loves the city of Costa Mesa.

Dave Rosendahl