Yvette is passionate about helping people feel more connected to their communities and ensuring everyone has access to the resources they need to live healthy, active, and fulfilling lives. She is especially passionate about expanding opportunities in lower-income communities that have historically had fewer resources.
At ActiveSGV, Yvette focuses on community engagement, active transportation, and clean mobility through the El Monte Clean Mobility Nexus Program. Her work includes leading bike rodeos, learn-to-bike classes, e-bike demonstrations, and community bike rides, as well as connecting residents with programs like GoSGV e-bike share and electric vehicle carshare.
Originally from Boyle Heights, Yvette has always been drawn to work that creates greater access and opportunity. Her journey began in education, where she worked as a teacher focused on supporting the whole child and helping students thrive both inside and outside the classroom. Over time, that passion grew into a deeper interest in how safe streets, green spaces, and reliable transportation can shape a person’s quality of life.
She joined ActiveSGV in 2024 and found a meaningful way to bring these interests together. Teaching remains an important part of her work as she helps people build confidence, discover new ways to move through their neighborhoods, and access more opportunities within their communities.
How did you get started working at ActiveSGV?
I started at ActiveSGV as a Community Bike Ride Assistant supporting community rides throughout the San Gabriel Valley. It gave me the opportunity to explore places like the Emerald Necklace, Santa Fe Dam, Whittier Narrows, and Pasadena while connecting with community members and helping create a welcoming experience for riders of all comfort levels.
I also supported e-bike pop-ups at Peck Road Water Conservation Park and Walnut Creek Nature Park, along with events like bike rodeos. Through ActiveSGV, I had the opportunity to become a League Cycling Instructor, which helped me strengthen my skills and confidence in teaching bike safety.
What started as supporting community rides became a way for me to combine my love of teaching, biking, and connecting with people. Being out in the community and helping others feel more comfortable and confident on a bike made me want to continue growing with ActiveSGV and become more involved in its work.
What do you like most about working with ActiveSGV?
What I enjoy most about working with ActiveSGV is helping people imagine new possibilities for how they get around their communities. Whether I’m introducing someone to an e-bike and showing them how pedal assist can make biking more accessible, or helping someone of any age learn how to ride a bike, those moments are incredibly rewarding. Seeing someone’s face light up when they finally get the hang of it says it all.
I also really value the opportunity to work with such a diverse community. As a Spanish speaker, being able to communicate with participants in Spanish helps me answer questions, make people feel more comfortable, and meet them where they are. Helping make information and programs more accessible is one of the most meaningful parts of my work.
Within ActiveSGV, I’m inspired by how much knowledge, care, and dedication everyone brings to the work. There’s a real sense that people care about the communities we serve and about supporting one another as a team.
What is your favorite or most memorable ActiveSGV experience?
One of my most memorable experiences was our GoSGV e-bike giveaway for El Monte residents through the El Monte Clean Mobility Nexus Project. Participants received an e-bike they could use for up to a year at no monthly cost. In a single day, we distributed more than 100 e-bikes in one city! It was a huge team effort, and seeing the excitement from participants made the day even more special. It also showed just how much interest and need there is for affordable transportation options in the community.
If a friend from out of town were to visit, which place in the SGV would you take them to and why?
If a friend from out of town came to visit, I’d turn it into a full day around Whittier Narrows. We’d start by grabbing Taco Nazo in South El Monte and taking it to Whittier Narrows for a picnic while watching people play cricket. Afterward, we could walk the paths, stop by CultivaLA Farm, and maybe even try a game of tennis or pickleball.
From there, I’d take them over to the Whittier Narrows Nature Center, which always has something interesting happening, from nature activities and journaling to sound baths and night hikes. If we still had energy, we could end the day with a bike ride along the San Gabriel River Trail and through Whittier Narrows.
I love this area because it shows that you don’t have to travel far or deal with huge crowds and traffic to have a really fun day. You can eat good food, be active, explore nature, try something new, and enjoy some of the green spaces we have right here in the SGV.
What are you currently listening to, reading, watching, or digging?
I’m currently watching Dancing with the Stars, which has become one of my favorite ways to unwind each week. I also love getting into longer shows, and right now I’m watching Desperate Housewives.
I’m a big true crime fan, so the True Crime with Kendall Rae podcast is always in my rotation. I’ve also been listening to The Diary of a CEO podcast because I enjoy hearing different perspectives and deeper conversations about life, mindset, health, success, and personal growth.
