La Tronda Lumpkins, Executive Director

Mrs. Lumpkins founded Pivotal Point Youth Services, Inc. in 2001. She earned her MSW from UC Berkeley in 1998 and a certificate in Nonprofit Management from California State University/Hayward in 2000. Mrs. Lumpkins brings a wealth of experience in both the public and private sectors including five years as a child welfare worker for Alameda County Dept. of Children and Family Services. She is a past president of the Alameda County Independent Living Skills Program Auxiliary Board. Mrs. Lumpkins is intimately familiar with the challenges facing high risk youth, having herself emancipated from foster care.

As a struggling young woman she found a handful of people who genuinely wished her well and lent guidance and support, encouraging her towards accomplishment and achievement. She founded Pivotal Point in order to offer that same motivation, support and inspiration to today’s youth.

Lamont Lumpkins, Anger Management Coordinator and Case Manager

Mr. Lumpkins is a former Marine who brings the values of integrity, commitment and discipline to his work at Pivotal Point, as he coaches young people in self-control and self-understanding. Mr. Lumpkins is certified as a facilitator for the Anderson Intervention Model for Anger Management. Mr. Lumpkins has an AS degree in Electrical Engineering and is pursuing a BS degree in Business (small business/entrepreneurship).

Mr. Lumpkins welcomed the opportunity to support LaTronda’s vision to strengthen the community and combat the complex issues facing foster youth. Mr. Lumpkins brings personal experience and connections to his work at Pivotal Point, finding that his life experience informs his work with youth. He has been in leadership roles in both negative and positive situations, and utilizes that experience.

Umar Goodspeed, Vocational Counselor and Case Manager

Mr. Goodspeed has a BS in Political Science from UC Berkeley. Having worked with underserved youth through academic outreach programs, he found that the he shared the ideas and concerns of the staff and founder of Pivotal Point. Mr. Goodspeed leads the Job Readiness component at Pivotal Point, and provides follow-up case management services.

Mr. Goodspeed's employment background includes work with AT&T Wireless, Key 3 Media, and work as a Certified Job Developer with Jewish Vocational Services. He came to Pivotal Point with a vision to assist foster youth obtain employment, stating that “I live for seeing youth succeed!”

Lanitra Williams, Parent Trainer

Ms. Williams is certified as a facilitator for Strengthening Multi-Ethnic Families and Communities: A Violence Prevention Parenting Program. Ms. Williams was previously an eligibility technician for Alameda County Dept. of Children and Family Services, and more recently a family service worker. She is currently on educational leave to pursue her MSW at UC Berkeley. Her thesis will address role conflict and parental stress and unconventional methods of reducing such conflicts and stresses. This research and knowledge informs her role as a parent teacher and facilitator. Her commitment to working with children is both professional and personal, as she brings her own experience as a mother to the practical aspects of her work.

Danielle Burnette, Executive Assistant / Fund Developer.

Mrs. Burnette has a BS in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources Management from Cal Poly, and is currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at San Francisco State University.

Mrs. Burnette brings over eight years experience in the corporate Human Resources arena to her work at Pivotal Point. She worked as a Recruiter, educating young people regarding the skills necessary to obtain employment, keep a job and move up in the company. As a writer and performance poet, she is an activist, encouraging young people to speak out through both the written and the spoken word. Her writing speaks to the conditions that many foster youth experience.

Mrs. Burnette has had an affinity for foster youth since a cousin came to live with her family during a difficult time. She told herself then that if she had the opportunity to help foster youth in any way, she would. “Pivotal Point was a perfect fit!”

Malcom Penton, Peer Educator

Mr. Penton is an ILSP graduate, attending Merritt College. He plans to transfer to Morehouse University to study Business Administration. He also has certificate in Recording Audio Producing from California Recording Institute.

Mr. Penton is assigned to the EDD One Stop Career Center (Hegenberger, Oakland) where he helps foster youth find employment. He is also Chairperson of the Contra Costa Chapter of California Youth Connection, advocating and lobbying for foster youth. As a former foster youth, Malcom would like to give back to the community that helped him emancipate from the foster care system. He wants to be a positive role model for foster youth.

“I really enjoy working at Pivotal Point. The staff is committed to assisting foster youth find not only employment but safe housing. The staff at Pivotal Point are young and can related to the needs of foster youth.”

Tia Seers, Peer Educator

Ms. Sears is an ILSP graduate and attends Ohlone College. She plans to transfer to San Jose State University to major in psychology.

Ms. Sears is assigned to the Oakland PIC One Stop Career Center (Downtown Oakland) where she assists foster youth seeking employment.

Her own goals are focused on graduating from college and becoming a school counselor in the Oakland Unified School District.

As a former foster youth, Ms. Sears is especially committed to her work. She states that “I am no longer a part of the foster care system. I no longer have a court/case number. I am no longer that little girl people pity. I am much more than that. I am a person with self-esteem who wants to help other foster children make something of themselves.”

Brian Ortiz, Education Specialist

Mr.Ortiz has a BA in History from California State University, Hayward. He is currently enrolled in the Secondary School Credential Program and is pursuing an MA in economics at CSU/Hayward. Mr.Ortiz is also a certified sports coach.

Mr. Ortiz brings a longstanding desire to educate youth to his work at Pivotal Point. He has a long history of tutoring, mentoring and development of educational programs. He believes that his experience as a supervisor, employee trainer and workshop facilitator has prepared him to work with youth. Mr. Ortiz states that he sets high standards for himself, and is always seeking to learn.” Learning is a lifestyle” states Mr.Ortiz.