Senior Staff
Michelle L. Freridge, M.P.A., J.D., Executive Director
Michelle Freridge joined AYC as the Development Director in 2002, became the Program Director in 2007, and was tapped to be the Executive Director in 2012. She completed a B.A. at Michigan State University and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration at Western Michigan University before moving to Southern California in 1999. After more than 20 years of direct service, development, and management work in the non-profit sector, she attended Loyola Law School’s evening program and was admitted to the California Bar in 2011. Ms. Freridge is an Adjunct Professor at University of the West, where she teaches MBA classes with a non-profit focus. Michelle sits on the Board of the Rosemead Kiwanis Foundation, the San Gabriel Valley Bar Association, and the Pasadena Community College President’s Asian American & Pacific Islander Advisory Committee. Ms. Freridge is deeply committed to empowering youth to succeed in life.
Michelle Freridge joined AYC as the Development Director in 2002, became the Program Director in 2007, and was tapped to be the Executive Director in 2012. She completed a B.A. at Michigan State University and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration at Western Michigan University before moving to Southern California in 1999. After more than 20 years of direct service, development, and management work in the non-profit sector, she attended Loyola Law School’s evening program and was admitted to the California Bar in 2011. Ms. Freridge is an Adjunct Professor at University of the West, where she teaches MBA classes with a non-profit focus. Michelle sits on the Board of the Rosemead Kiwanis Foundation, the San Gabriel Valley Bar Association, and the Pasadena Community College President’s Asian American & Pacific Islander Advisory Committee. Ms. Freridge is deeply committed to empowering youth to succeed in life.
Manith Thaing, Education and Community Engagement/ Program Director
Manith Thaing was born in Cambodia in 1973. At 2 years old, due to the Khmer Rouge regime she and her family arrived in CA as refugees at Camp Pendleton in San Diego. Eventually settled in Oakland, CA/ Bay Area. Manith Thaing was born being an advocate for the community because it was embedded in her life from her parents. Manith earned her B.A. in Ethnic Studies and a Minor in Women Studies from CA Sate University of Hayward. She is a mom to a smart, beautiful, and talented 26-year-old daughter. Manith has worked in the non-profit sector for over 20 years in various capacities and is a co-founder of Banteay Srei: Banteay Srei is a safe space for young Southeast Asian women, that promotes education, community, and leadership development to foster cultural pride, and self- determination for women at risk or engaged in sexual exploitation. She is also on the board of Devata Giving Circle: DGC works to promote collaborative giving to support organizations working to advance the leadership and human rights of Cambodian women and girls. She will continue to dedicate her time to nonprofit sector as long as time permits.
Manith Thaing was born in Cambodia in 1973. At 2 years old, due to the Khmer Rouge regime she and her family arrived in CA as refugees at Camp Pendleton in San Diego. Eventually settled in Oakland, CA/ Bay Area. Manith Thaing was born being an advocate for the community because it was embedded in her life from her parents. Manith earned her B.A. in Ethnic Studies and a Minor in Women Studies from CA Sate University of Hayward. She is a mom to a smart, beautiful, and talented 26-year-old daughter. Manith has worked in the non-profit sector for over 20 years in various capacities and is a co-founder of Banteay Srei: Banteay Srei is a safe space for young Southeast Asian women, that promotes education, community, and leadership development to foster cultural pride, and self- determination for women at risk or engaged in sexual exploitation. She is also on the board of Devata Giving Circle: DGC works to promote collaborative giving to support organizations working to advance the leadership and human rights of Cambodian women and girls. She will continue to dedicate her time to nonprofit sector as long as time permits.
Alfredo Miller, Director of Youth and Family Services
Alfredo Miller is the Program Director for Youth and Family Services at the Asian Youth Center. Alfredo started as a case worker in 2013, was promoted to Program Manager in 2014, and to Program Director in 2019. Alfredo currently provides program oversight and direction for the Home Based, Gang Intervention , and Conflict Resolution Training Programs. He supervises two Program Managers and a Program Coordinator and is responsible for training and oversight of an excellent team of 15 staff members. Prior to joining AYC, Alfredo had 7 years of experience working with high risk youth in public schools and mental health. Alfredo holds a Master's Degree in Administration of Criminal Justice from University of Phoenix and a Bachelor's Degree in Human Services from Ottawa University. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his adult children and taking walks in the park.
Alfredo Miller is the Program Director for Youth and Family Services at the Asian Youth Center. Alfredo started as a case worker in 2013, was promoted to Program Manager in 2014, and to Program Director in 2019. Alfredo currently provides program oversight and direction for the Home Based, Gang Intervention , and Conflict Resolution Training Programs. He supervises two Program Managers and a Program Coordinator and is responsible for training and oversight of an excellent team of 15 staff members. Prior to joining AYC, Alfredo had 7 years of experience working with high risk youth in public schools and mental health. Alfredo holds a Master's Degree in Administration of Criminal Justice from University of Phoenix and a Bachelor's Degree in Human Services from Ottawa University. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his adult children and taking walks in the park.
Florence Lin, Community Relations Manager
As the Community Relations Manager at AYC, Ms. Lin oversees AYC's Community Outreach and Education activities and maintains relations with local press including Chinese media outlets. She has managed numerous community programs including Voter Registration, Immigration and Naturalization, Health and Wellness Initiatives, CalFRESH Enrollment, and Los Angeles County Office of Education Parenting Education. She supervises and works closely with community and parent volunteers. This was also required of her prior position at AYC as ACE Program and Office Manager for 5 years, where she assisted with the Tobacco Education, Ms. Lin completed a Master of Education degree in 1986 after being a home economics teacher for 4 years. She is bilingual in Mandarin and English and trained and experienced in providing parent education curriculum in Mandarin Chinese.
As the Community Relations Manager at AYC, Ms. Lin oversees AYC's Community Outreach and Education activities and maintains relations with local press including Chinese media outlets. She has managed numerous community programs including Voter Registration, Immigration and Naturalization, Health and Wellness Initiatives, CalFRESH Enrollment, and Los Angeles County Office of Education Parenting Education. She supervises and works closely with community and parent volunteers. This was also required of her prior position at AYC as ACE Program and Office Manager for 5 years, where she assisted with the Tobacco Education, Ms. Lin completed a Master of Education degree in 1986 after being a home economics teacher for 4 years. She is bilingual in Mandarin and English and trained and experienced in providing parent education curriculum in Mandarin Chinese.
Jerica Finley, Director of Contract Compliance and Evaluation and Learning
Jerica Finley is AYC's current Director of Contract Compliance, Evaluation & Learning. She is responsible for the direct supervision of a portfolio of programs. She supports all programs and services for program design, program evaluation, data collection, data analysis, contract compliance, quality control, and continuous quality improvement. Jerica has a passion for impacting lives and leaving an indelible impression. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Criminal Justice in 2016; while working on her degree, she realized that many low-income youth and families do not navigate readily available resources. She became passionate about changing the inequities and suffering she saw in the community. Upon completion, she received an opportunity to work at AYC. She first began working as a caseworker and got involved with the evaluation and data analysis. Eventually, she had a chance to make a more significant impact by managing programs; and learned a lot regarding implementation and evaluation. Upon, managing programs she was inspired to obtain her Master's in Public Administration in August 2021, and at this point, she has become the Director of Contract Compliance and Evaluation. She is excited to utilize all the skills and knowledge she has received over the years to make a more significant impact on youth and families.
Jerica Finley is AYC's current Director of Contract Compliance, Evaluation & Learning. She is responsible for the direct supervision of a portfolio of programs. She supports all programs and services for program design, program evaluation, data collection, data analysis, contract compliance, quality control, and continuous quality improvement. Jerica has a passion for impacting lives and leaving an indelible impression. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Criminal Justice in 2016; while working on her degree, she realized that many low-income youth and families do not navigate readily available resources. She became passionate about changing the inequities and suffering she saw in the community. Upon completion, she received an opportunity to work at AYC. She first began working as a caseworker and got involved with the evaluation and data analysis. Eventually, she had a chance to make a more significant impact by managing programs; and learned a lot regarding implementation and evaluation. Upon, managing programs she was inspired to obtain her Master's in Public Administration in August 2021, and at this point, she has become the Director of Contract Compliance and Evaluation. She is excited to utilize all the skills and knowledge she has received over the years to make a more significant impact on youth and families.
Alex Banh, Deputy Director
Alex Banh is AYC’s Deputy Director, providing day-to-day management and supervision to all AYC programs and operations. Alex joined AYC in March of 2021 as the Deputy Director after 11 years of community-based, youth development, and public sector work. Prior to joining AYC, he created and led the SF Digital Equity initiative for the City and County of San Francisco and served as staff on the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Task Force and Emerging Technology Working Group. Earlier in his career, he led a UCLA-based student-initiated college outreach program serving low-income and immigrant youth across Southern California. Alex completed a B.A in Political Science with a minor in Public Affairs at UCLA and a Master in Public Policy from UC Berkley's Goldman School of Public Policy. He is also a graduate of the Government Alliance on Race and Equity leadership development program. He currently serves on the Advisory Board for Cal State University Chico's Cybersecurity for Executives Program and San Gabriel Unified School District's Educational Advisory Committee. His free time is mostly spent taking care of his two dogs and a rambunctious preschooler.
Alex Banh is AYC’s Deputy Director, providing day-to-day management and supervision to all AYC programs and operations. Alex joined AYC in March of 2021 as the Deputy Director after 11 years of community-based, youth development, and public sector work. Prior to joining AYC, he created and led the SF Digital Equity initiative for the City and County of San Francisco and served as staff on the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Task Force and Emerging Technology Working Group. Earlier in his career, he led a UCLA-based student-initiated college outreach program serving low-income and immigrant youth across Southern California. Alex completed a B.A in Political Science with a minor in Public Affairs at UCLA and a Master in Public Policy from UC Berkley's Goldman School of Public Policy. He is also a graduate of the Government Alliance on Race and Equity leadership development program. He currently serves on the Advisory Board for Cal State University Chico's Cybersecurity for Executives Program and San Gabriel Unified School District's Educational Advisory Committee. His free time is mostly spent taking care of his two dogs and a rambunctious preschooler.
Helping Youth Succeed at School, in Work, and in Life!
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