Cynthia W.

I am a CA native with deep ties to family and work in the South Bay, Los Angeles and

Orange County communities. I have an extensive education in spiritual healing

modalities, and have used them to help families for the past 40 years.

Why This Work Matters

Rebuilding and refining ourselves, and healing physical, emotional and mental trauma has

always been the foundation of my interests and my work.

On culturally responsive care: To be able to celebrate our unique gifts, honoring the time and

place we inhabit, while aspiring to embody the beautiful soul which unites us all in love and

wisdom.

Connection to Altadena

Altadena is the place where my family always gathers together. It is full of greenery and alive,

yet supportive and safe. It is a place where people can be nurtured as they grow.

In my work: The spirit of true neighborhood, trust and understanding is strong, and facilitates

intuitive communication. This is a place where every person knows their worth as a builder and

sustainer of this community.

A Defining Moment

I had a moment of fond recollection when my first family member described, in detail, the types

of food her finicky cats will eat. She said the cats had saved her life during this terrible

experience, and as a cat lover myself, I saw the equality of that love relationship, how it flowed

beautifully between them, with every bit of care given out coming back just as strong, if not more

so.

How this shapes my work: I listen for all the details and have infinite interest and patience for

the individual needs because the care and feeding of our emotional and mental bodies are just

as important as our physical ones.

Vision for the Future

My hope for Altadena: I have an indelible picture in my mind of the greenery, of the charming

individuality of the houses and buildings, that I would see every time I drove into the

neighborhood for family gatherings. I focus on this daily to bring this back as it was before the

fire.

What I hope families feel: I hope they feel seen and heard and understood. I hope they feel that

their needs are considered important and will not be forgotten.

Bringing to the Work

Strengths: My spiritual training includes healing modalities from Tibet, Peru, Mexico and Hawaii.

I also have training in Native American and Celtic shamanism. My work as a writing tutor while

in college helped me to help others communicate their stories while being true to themselves.

On collaboration: The strength of a group is always more than an individual, and it is the way of

the future. It inspires me and it inspires others to seek a way to be helpful. It radiates and

magnetizes the best energy by being able to respond to the need I witness.

Beyond the Work

What brings me joy: I love nature, food and animals, but my passion is everything to do with the

written word.

Favorite genres: Comedy

When not volunteering: I teach meditation and spiritual healing.Fun fact: My sense of direction is so bad that before cell phone days, I got completely lost just by driving around the block.

Words I live by: "My soul never gets tired—only my persona."