Florence Parks

California Mentoring Partnership - Mentoring Program Expert

Florence utilizes her education and 26 years of work experience in youth development when supporting mentoring efforts. In addition to program development, Florence’s expertise includes staff development, grant writing, public relations, strategic communication, and delivers technical assistance in nonprofit development.

Prior to joining Big Brothers Big Sisters as the Executive Director, Florence supported a faith based mentoring program as the VP of Mentoring for Shoulder to Shoulder, running and sustaining foster youth mentoring programs at Sierra Forever Families and almost a decade with Fighting Back Partnership as the Youth Programs Manager. Florence started out her career in mentoring working as a Behavioral Interventions Specialist for the Vallejo City Unified School District.

Throughout her career, Florence has elevated various nonprofit organizations as a volunteer and community advocate. She has been on the board of directors of several non-profits, and currently serves as a Commissioner for Open Door Parks and Recreation, Board Member for Mentor California and on the Leadership Team for the California Mentoring Partnership. With CMP she sits on the Racial Justice in Mentoring committee and her lived experiences and passion continues to equip her to impact systems and barriers to equity.

Florence earned her bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Electronic Communications with a minor in Human Resources from California State University, San Francisco. She has been trainer for Mentor Professionals and had done advanced work through the Summer Institute on Youth mentoring (SIYM) in 2006 and 2023.

Florence was born and raised on the West Coast. She currently lives in Eureka with her husband and the youngest of three. In her spare time, she volunteers as a Coastal Ambassador, spending time with friends and family, attending area events, and championing youth.