FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Tatyanna M. Wilkinson, (213) 488-4942

August 5, 2006 (Los Angeles)

The Board of Directors for Women and Youth Supporting Each Other (WYSE), a project of Community Partners, is delighted to announce the appointment of Tatyanna M. Wilkinson as our new Executive Director. Tatyanna comes to this position after serving as a volunteer and consultant with WYSE for the two years, as well as serving as Interim Executive Director from March 2006 to the present.

As volunteer and consultant she managed our online forums and website development, assisted in grant development, coordinated the 2005 National Leadership Training Conference and provided office support.

As Interim Director Tatyanna managed the 9th Annual Role Model of the Year Awards Luncheon as well as the 2006 National Leadership Training Conference.

Ms. Wilkinson has been in the field of Human Services 17 years. Her passion for volunteering has shaped her professional path. Her career in youth work began as a V.I.S.T.A volunteer/ community organizer with MASS Housing Finance Agency where she was placed at a low income housing project where she used to play as a little girl. That opportunity spring boarded her into two years as a Board Member of the Springfield Southwest Community Health Center in Springfield, Massachusetts where she developed and coordinated an innovative prevention program using theater and youth development best practices to deliver the messages of adolescent health. She relocated to the Los Angeles area in 1999 and has since worked for the Los Angeles Free Clinic's Project A.B.L.E., Girls Incorporated of Los Angeles and works as a volunteer development and program consultant for three grass roots non profit organizations. As a former volunteer with the National Resource Office for two years, it is this continued commitment to a life of service that has led her to take on the position of Interim Executive Director at WYSE in March 2006.

We are extremely pleased that Tatyanna has chosen to serve Women and Youth Supporting Each Other as Executive Director. We look forward to many years of continued growth and success under her leadership.