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About Us

WE LOVE TO IMAGINE CREATIVE WAYS EMERGING LEADERS CAN TAKE THEIR PLACE IN SHAPING THE WELL-BEING OF CENTRAL VALLEY COMMUNITIES.

Our Philosophy:

Asset-Driven Community Development

At the core of our approach lies a foundational belief: every community, regardless of its struggles, is rich with potential and resources. Our Asset-Driven Community Development approach focuses on harnessing the strengths of a community, rather than just addressing its deficiencies. By fostering mutual respect and cooperation, we help communities identify their unique assets and capabilities. Through collaborative partnerships, we strive to avoid unintentional harm or dependency, ensuring that initiatives are sustainable, dignified, and owned by those we serve. This strategy equips local leaders with the tools for immediate success and paves the way for lasting change that resonates with God’s vision for every community.

Our Strategy

DISCOVER ⓘ

Identify assets and potentials within communities, recognizing the
unique strengths of each individual and organization.
CONNECT ⓘ

We bring people and organizations together to see that we are better in collaboration. We believe that social connections must be built on mutual benefit that hold up our communities in deep, meaningful ways.
EQUIP ⓘ

We believe that real transformation is catalyzed by equipping our local communities with tools and resources to experience long-term sustainability for collective impact.
LAUNCH ⓘ

Through tailored trainings, tools, coaching and capacity building programs the CCT fosters deep impact in communities to help individuals and organizations take action.
CELEBRATE ⓘ

Solving community problems isn't easy and so it's important to note and celebrate successes and milestones along the way!

What We Do

At CCT, we operate at the intersection of faith, purpose, and action. Rooted in the belief that cities should reflect God’s peace, prosperity, and wholeness. We dedicate ourselves to fostering community resurgence. We champion the idea that real change sprouts from within, not from the outskirts. Hence, we partner with local leaders in the sectors of Education, Business, Church, and Non-Profit to ensure community-driven results. By bridging gaps, forging connections, and offering platforms for innovation and growth, we set the stage for communities to thrive and reflect God’s magnificent design for every city.

What We Believe

WE BELIEVE cities should echo God’s Kingdom of peace, prosperity, and wholeness.

WE BELIEVE God collaborates with us for community renewal and development.

WE BELIEVE genuine transformation springs from within, not outside.

WE BELIEVE in strengthening and linking assets from within the community for growth.

CCT Staff

Carlos Huerta
Executive Director
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Bryan Feil
Associate Director
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Jeanette Jaurena
Director of Operations
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Dr. Cathleen Lawler
Community Relations Officer
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Alexa Queenan
Program Coordinator
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Carolina Mueller
CCT Program Coordinator
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Melissa Chavez Diaz
Administrative Assistant
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Yetzanit Amador
Program Assistant
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Natalia Lopez
Janis Tresa
student mentor
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Thanks to our Partners

We’re thankful to our partners, whom build the foundation for the work of our ministry.

Community Partners

Our community partners are the foundation to the work God calls us to do in the Central Valley.

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Ministry Partners

Our ministry partners help us tackle issues that would be too large for CCT to address alone.

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Educational Partners

Our educational partners help us serve families and children in deep, meaningful ways.

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Become A Partner

Investment into the work of Center for Community Transformation helps to build our communities capacity and helps further the work done on the ground level. Become a CCT partner today.

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We look forward to hearing from you.

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Initiatives
Location
4888 E Townsend Ave.
Fresno, CA 93702
Phone
(559) 453-2367
© 2023 Center for Community Transformation. All rights reserved.

Carlos Huerta, MBA, MSOL

Executive Director

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Education:
  • MBA, Fresno Pacific University
  • M.S., Organizational Leadership, Michigan State UniversityB.A.,
  • Social Work, Fresno Pacific University

Carlos is the Executive Director of the CCT, overseeing programs in entrepreneurship (social and micro), financial literacy, ministry leadership training (for Spanish-speaking leaders) and soft-skills job-training.

Raised in the little big-town of Caruthers, CA, he now calls Southeast Fresno home and enjoys serving as an overseer at his church, Midtown Church, in Fresno, CA. Carlos has a background in both non-profit and for-profit corporations, having directed programs in 38 states. Carlos hold a Bachelors in Social Work (‘13) from Fresno Pacific University, a Masters in Organization Leadership from Michigan State university (’14) and an MBA from Fresno Pacific University (’19).

Bryan Feil

Associate Director

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Education:
  • Bachelors in Business Administration at Fresno Pacific University
  • Masters in Business Administration at Bakke Graduate University

Bryan Feil grew up in Bakersfield, CA with the desire to use business as a tool to impact lives. That passion took its first form in co-founding and developing Neighborhood Industries, an organization focused on operating businesses that reveal value in people so that they can be a positive contributor in their community. He later went on to operate a coffee importing and roasting business called Lanna Coffee Co and eventually to oversee Real Estate Development for Bitwise Industries. Outside of the office, Bryan can be found spending time with his lovely wife, Kim, and their two children, Cora and Reid and if lucky fly fishing in the Western Sierras.

Jeanette Jaurena

Director of Operations

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Education:
  • Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, Entomology and Plant Pathology, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
  • Technical Certificate in Crop Science, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Jeanette is the director of Operations for the CCT. Her administrative duties include planning, tracking and maintaining details to CCT programs and events. Jeanette grew up in Coalinga, CA. She has previously lived in San Luis Obispo, Japan, and Seattle, where she has used her gifts and talents in operations and administration to support various kinds of entities from a garden nursery to large-scale corporate retail and now in her role in CCT’s ministry. Jeanette is also a creative who enjoys bringing ideas to life through the form of content creation and has a knack for creating beautiful events that inspire. 

 

 

Dr. Cathleen Lawler

Community Relations Officer

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Education:
  • D.Min., Transformational Leadership, Bakke Graduate University
  • M.A., Intercultural Mission, Fresno Pacific University Biblical Seminary

Cathleen is a chaplain, ministry coach, missions pastor, and neighborhood minister. She has a seminary degree in Intercultural Mission from Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary and a Doctorate of Ministry in Transformational Leadership from Bakke Graduate University.

She has traveled to over 140 countries in various capacities. These include mobilizing, teaching and/or equipping missionaries and nationals for service and in areas of stewardship, Bible storying, death and dying, and grant writing or just having cross cultural experiences, her favorite past-time.

Cathleen authored a chapter about multi-sector collaboration for city transformation in the book “Out of Nazareth: Christ-Centered Civic Transformation in Unlikely Places.”

Alexa Queenan

Program Coordinator

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Education:
  • B.A., International Relations and Environmental Ethics

Alexa (or Lexi, as she prefers) is the Program Coordinator for the CCT. Her responsibilities include collecting and tracking data on the CCT programs and activities.

Lexi completed her Bachelor degree in International Relations and Environmental Ethics at Fresno Pacific University (FPU). She loves animals, trail hiking, and flowers. Her hobbies include running, of which she is currently on the FPU Cross Country and Track team, serving as a captain. Aside from her roles on campus and within the CCT, she enjoys traveling and aspires to work Internationally in the future, assisting abroad.

 

Carolina Mueller

CCT Program Coordinator

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Education:
  • AA Graphic Design (‘11), Academy of Professional Design, Colombia
  • BA Psychology (’20), Art – Graphic Arts Emphasis (’20), MFT (’25), Fresno Pacific University

Carolina (or Caro for short) serves as the CCT Program Coordinator. With a background in graphic design and psychology, she blends creativity and insight to support CCT’s initiatives, including empowering Christian Spanish-speaking leaders through the Certificado program.

Carolina’s journey from owning her own advertising agency in Colombia to her current role showcases her storytelling and media production expertise. Her passion for media, combined with her graphic design skills, enhances various CCT projects aimed at serving the Central Valley.

As she continues her pursuit of an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy, Carolina Mueller remains dedicated to advancing CCT’s mission, fostering community upliftment and the empowerment of its leaders.

Melissa Chavez Diaz

Administrative Assistant

Melissa is the Admin Assistant at the CCT. Her role includes data administration, assisting with events, and overseeing task management.

Melissa is working on completing her Master’s Degree in Christian Ministry and Leadership at Fresno Pacific University. She loves meeting new people and partaking in social activities. Some of her hobbies include playing volleyball, going to the gym with friends and building long-lasting friendships.

Yetzanit Amador

Program Assistant

Yetzanit Amador is an assistant to our Spanish-speaking leaders in the Certificado Program here at CCT.

Yetzanit was born and raised in Visalia, CA. This year, she moved to FPU, pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies with a minor in Art. She aspires to further her education at FPU to accomplish her dream of teaching first grade. Her goals include opening a small business teaching art and sharing her handmade goods across the world. Currently, Yetzanit runs a small business customizing and selling handmade jewelry. Some of her favorite hobbies include drinking coffee and hanging out with her pug in her free time.

Janis Tresa

Student Mentor

Education:
  • B.Sc Visual Communication
  • M.Sc Counseling Psychology
  • M.A Marriage and Family Therapy (2026)

Janis is a student assistant, works with students at Lane Elementary.

She is pursuing a Masters in MFT to specialize in the field of Marriage and Family. Her favorite hobbies are traveling, photography, hiking, cooking, designing and art. Her goal is to serve people in need and do ministry for the Lord.