Meet The Team
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Shannon Podgorski
Program Director of Refugee and Immigrant Services - La Mirada
Shannon Podgorski has worked for Bethany Christian Services since 2008 and currently oversees the children’s refugee and immigrant services programs in California. Shannon received her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Washington in 1996 and has previous experience serving children, youth, and families in the areas of community mental health, foster care, and adoption. She is passionate about ensuring that the agency’s clients receive excellent service and support and is honored to be part of such important work. Shannon and her husband have two children; she enjoys cycling, hiking, traveling, and gardening.
Navie M. Fredrickson
Quality Assurance and Intake Coordinator for PRS - La Mirada
Navie first joined the Bethany family in 2019 where she began working within the Foster Care Program in Camarillo CA. In 2021 Navie transitioned into the Post Release Services Program where she currently serves as the Quality Assurance and Intake Coordinator. Navies passion, love, and compassion for others allow her to provide her most excellent support and assistance to her fellow teammates and the families and children she works with. Navie is currently working on completing her undergraduate at California State University of Channel Islands, where she is earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. When Navie isn’t working she is spending quality time with her husband and three children. Cooking for her family and friends is always a pleasure and every Sunday you will find her leading worship at her local church.
Joseph Narvaez
Wraparound Stabilization Therapist - La Mirada
Joseph joined Bethany in March 2021. Joseph has a background in mediation and conflict resolution. During his nine years working for the Los Angeles County Bar Association, Joseph became a certified mediator and assisted community members with resolving their civil disputes outside of court. Eager to have a career in social services Joseph went on to complete a bachelor’s degree in social work with a minor in pre-law from California State University, Los Angeles. He then worked as a case manager providing adoption promotion and support services at a non-profit agency before returning to school to complete his master’s degree in social work from California State University Long Beach. Since becoming an MSW Joseph worked with adults with developmental disabilities, facilitated court approved parenting groups for fathers and provided bilingual clinical mental health services to families of diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds living in underserved high-risk communities. As a clinician, Joseph’s goal is to continue to provide culturally sensitive and strength based mental health services and support to persons of diverse backgrounds. For leisure and self-care Joseph enjoys exercising, doing yoga and playing beach volleyball on the weekends.
Dora Villalobos
PRS Program Supervisor - La Mirada
Dora joined Bethany Christian Services in March 2021. She completed her undergraduate degree at Concordia University, Irvine, and received her Master’s degree from National University. She has enjoyed working with families and children throughout her career. She looks forward to furthering her knowledge in Case Management. Dora values faith, patience, and empathy when working in the community. On her spare time she likes to keep up with sports, exercise, play softball, go to concerts, and spend time with family and friends.
Michelle A. Spencer
Foster Care Case Manager - La Mirada
Michelle started working for Bethany Christian Services in November of 2020. She has a passion for children and helping families as she provides foster care case management support to Resource Families in Riverside, San Bernardino and the Pomona Valley. Michelle received her Bachelor of Science degree in child and adolescent development from California State University, Fullerton. She is currently enrolled at The University of Massachusetts, Global for her Master of Social Work degree. In her free time, Michelle enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, going to theme parks, watching hockey games, and gardening.
Katherine Orozco Hernandez
PRS and HS Case Manager - La Mirada
Katherine joined Bethany Christian Services in October 2022. She received a Bachelor in Arts in Psychology and Education studies at Wesleyan University in Connecticut. She has multiple years of experience working with at-risk populations including unaccompanied children, refugee families, homeless youth, and individuals with developmental disabilities. She is excited to continue working with families and enhance her motivational interviewing skills. Katherine has a passion for advocating for the mental well-being of youth and hopes to one day become a therapist. To self-care, she enjoys spending time with her doggy children, traveling, going to the gym, and trying new cuisines.
Mireya Perez
Post Release Services - Home Study Case Manager - La Mirada
Mireya joined Bethany Christian Services in December of 2022. She completed her undergraduate degree in Rehabilitation Services at California State University-Los Angeles. She has prior experience working with children with disabilities, youth in probation, foster care, and unaccompanied minors. Mireya is committed to ensuring child safety and family preservation. She is excited to assist with the reunification process for minors being released from federal custody to their families. During her spare time, she enjoys traveling, trying out new restaurants, going to concerts, and spending time with family and friends.
