Carly is a passionate team member at ActiveSGV who has been with the organization for over seven years! She has supported many projects over the years, but has mostly worked on the CalFresh Healthy Living project, leading free nutrition education, yoga, and Zumba classes throughout the San Gabriel Valley, East LA, and Chinatown. Originally from South San Gabriel, Carly was born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley. After a seven-year stint in San Francisco, attending San Francisco State and working with the San Francisco Recreation and Parks department, she returned home with a strong desire to give back to the community that made her who she is.
How did you get started working at ActiveSGV?
In 2017, I decided to pursue a 200-hour yoga teacher training with People’s Yoga in East LA. It was there that I became friends with Diane Velez, who let me know about a job opening at the nonprofit she worked at, BikeSGV at the time. I had participated in the first Active Streets (named 626 Golden Streets at the time) and had an amazing time biking through the SGV without cars. When I learned more about the organization and met the people who worked there, it felt like I finally found my people! My first role was as a part-time outreach associate working on the Merced Avenue Greenway Project, which I’m happy to have been able to see to completion (next time you’re in South El Monte, be sure to check it out). Since then, I’ve worked on so many other cool projects and initiatives. I owe so much to Diane, who really helped me find a job I feel so passionate about at a time when I felt very lost about what I wanted to do with my career.
What do you like most about working with ActiveSGV?
The people! My colleagues are all so cool and bring such amazing energy and unique expertise to the work. It’s also so cool that most of us have deep roots in the SGV, which bonds us in a special way. Besides my colleagues, the community members that we get to engage with at our classes, events, and bike rides make it all worth it!
Favorite and memorable ActiveSGV experience:
There are so many to choose from, but I gotta say, ArroyoFest! There was SO MUCH that went into making it happen, and I remember hearing murmurs of it years before it actually came to fruition. On the actual day when I was able to take my break and ride the route, I cried tears of joy as I passed someone on the route saying, “This is the best day I’ve ever had in LA!”. I couldn’t agree more.
If a friend from out of town were to visit, which place in the SGV would you take them to and why?
Ok, so I am fully aware that this day is not logistically possible because we are literally traversing all of LA County, and there is not enough time in the day, but since this is hypothetical and it’s my staff spotlight, I am doing whatever I want!
We would start the day off with some Dim Sum at NBC Seafood in Monterey Park. Afterwards, maybe grab some boba or a Vietnamese coffee nearby. Maybe take a stroll around the Edison Trails Park to walk off some of the dim sum. From there, I would pop into my favorite Japanese market, Tozai Foods in South San Gabriel, and grab some snacks for a picnic. Then we’d ride our bikes to Whittier Narrows to chill, read, and enjoy our snacks. Afterwards, we’d hit up some hidden gem thrift stores like Bargain Box, Willie’s Vintage, or Full Circle Thrift. After that, we’d refuel with some ice cream (probably Fosselman’s or a hot fudge sundae at Twohey’s). We would also pop into Remainders for some arts and crafts materials and maybe scrapbook/draw/junk journal at Huntington Gardens, and finish off the day with our final meal at Golden Deli for some pho.
What are you currently listening to, reading, watching, or digging?
I just reread “The Undocumented Americans” by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio, which is exceptionally written, deeply personal, and super timely. I highly recommend it. I’ve been listening to Tyler, the Creator’s latest album, DON’T TAP THE GLASS, as well as a lot of indie throwbacks that remind me of college. I’ve been watching (way too much) Love Island and the drama unfolding after… and I’m about to finish Shogun. Everything else I’ve been consuming is all pregnancy/birth/baby-related since I am 36 weeks pregnant… send good vibes! Catch y’all when I come back from maternity leave!
