About Zabdy Neria

Introduction and Education

My fellow neighbors, I am Zabdy Neria, and I can proudly say that our local educational options have been a great benefit to me.

I am an alumnus of Lower Lake High School class of 2012, Woodland Community College, Clearlake Campus, and Marymount California University, Lakeside Campus and Chico State University. 

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I hold an Associates Degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology, and a Master's Degree in Social Work. 

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Volunteer Work

I have 17 years of volunteer experience. While I was a high school student, I engaged in fundraising events for our local Academic Decathlon, church youth group, and medical fundraising events for school staff.

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After graduating high school, I served our local youth by speaking to Lower Lake High School seniors about my personal educational journey to assure them that achieving higher education is possible! I continued to speak about my educational journey to Hispanic students and their families at "Si Se Puede" events hosted by Woodland Community College to dispel myths about the challenges of completing higher education. 

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My passion for helping our community led me towards volunteering for our County Mental Health Department. I learned about the mental health needs of our community and I practiced advocacy and case management for Hispanic families. 

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Currently, I volunteer for the Rotary Club of Clearlake as the President where we raise money to fund up to $22,000 in annual scholarships for high school seniors and Woodland College students. 

At the Middletown Art Center, I sit of the Board of Directors. Together, in partnership with Konocti Unified School District we brought to life a project called “Raices Hermosas.” Nearly 2,000 of our KUSD students benefited from the project where they experienced a cultural exhibit that showcased pride and storytelling of the Latinx experience through the shared language of art. 

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Mental Health

I have served the public as a Volunteer, Case Manager, Mental Health Specialist, Clinical Program Manager, and now a Children’s Therapist. 

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In my years as a case manager, I have sat with our youth inside of their classrooms, cafeterias, and in their homes. I studied the environmental factors that affected the way that our most vulnerable youth behaved and what impeded in their ability to learn. I learned how to advocate and seek creative solutions for our families while instilling hope and autonomy.  

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As a child and youth Mental Health Specialist, I advocated for our youth’s needs at Individualized Educational Planning (IEP) meetings and School Attendance Review Board (SARB) hearings. I also provided group and individual counseling to children and youth in Spanish and English. I am familiar with suicide prevention and intervention and believe that prevention is the key to helping our youth. 

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Social Work

My training in systems work, collaboration, and integration will continue to serve the board well to bridge the gaps within our educational system. As a dedicated social worker, I collaborated with local agencies such as Redwood Coast Regional Center, Lake County Office of Education, Probation, Child Welfare, and Law Enforcement, among others to combine our unique specialties to best serve our youth and families.

My Mission

As a mental health provider for children and youth, I have a profound understanding of the importance of providing a safe and nurturing environment to best allow our children to thrive!

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My goal as your board member is to continue to build upon our community and use all the resources that are within our reach. I believe that all people are equal and each have unique experiences

with unique needs.

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As a young, bicultural, alumnus of our district, I want to continue to provide equal and appropriate representation on the board.

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I strongly believe that an investment in our youth is an investment in our future!

Thank you for considering my candidacy! 

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