Vanessa Castenada, an individual dedicated to service and community, boasts an enduring eighteen-year marriage and cherishes her role as a mother to four children, spanning ages eleven to twenty-three. She is a member at Koinonia Worship Center.

With a steadfast commitment to ministry, Vanessa and her husband have actively contributed to church planting, couples coaching, and podcasting endeavors over the past two decades. Their altruistic endeavors extend to education and community engagement, notably in coordinating initiatives for Valley PBS and volunteering at group homes for adolescents.

Despite obtaining an Associate of Science degree in dental studies, Vanessa discerned a higher calling embedded within community outreach, guided by her profound faith. Having navigated the challenges of early motherhood at the age of seventeen, Vanessa’s empathy and resilience fuel her dedication to supporting young mothers and disadvantaged youth. Presently, she embarks on a transformative endeavor: establishing a transitional housing program tailored to young women transitioning from the foster care system, aged eighteen to twenty-five. Vanessa’s unwavering commitment to embodying love in action underscores her belief in the transformative power of compassion and faith. Her journey epitomizes a tireless pursuit of community healing and empowerment, driven by a fervent desire to enact positive change and uplift the lives of those in need.