Maria Elena Chavez’ work has been greatly influenced by having been born and raised within the farmworker’s movement. She is the daughter of Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers union and a niece to UFW Founder Cesar E. Chavez. Chavez who is originally from Kern County received her B.A. from the University of Southern California and is currently enrolled in the Masters of Public Administration program at Cal State University Los Angeles. She has spent the majority of her adult life as a resident of Los Angeles County.

Mrs. Chavez serves as the Center Director for the YWCA’s Supervisor Gloria Molina Community Empowerment Center in unincorporated Walnut Park which has been in operation since 2014. The center, a model state-of-the-art community center developed in conjunction with local residents, provides comprehensive enrichment activities to the Walnut Park community from infants to Seniors in a safe and culturally-empowering environment. As a member of the YWCA GLA leadership, she has successfully forged a wide array of community partnerships resulting in the delivery of much needed resources to community residents including ESL classes, Computer Classes, Health and Behavioral Health programming for adults, seniors and children. She has participated in the coordination of multiple Covid-19  pandemic relief efforts including a cash assistance relief program, sponsored by the Office of First District Supervisor Hilda Solis, which provided 107 gift cards, valued at $750 dollars each, to extremely low income qualified residents of Walnut Park.

Chavez has successfully worked on a wide number of health and wellness initiatives funded by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to decrease the prevalence of obesity through programs which provide nutrition education and physical activity promotion as well as initiatives to improve walkability such as Safe Routes to School. Ms. Chavez has worked with the unincorporated communities of Union Pacific in East Los Angeles and Walnut Park and forged partnerships with community-based organizations, local schools, East Los Angeles College and county agencies such as the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation to provide quality programming. She has managed multiple grants centered on wellness and improving the built environment including the HEAL Grant, the Walnut Park Pedestrian Plan, and  the Cal Fresh Healthy Living grant awarded to the YWCA GLA by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health in 2016.

Ms. Chavez’ work in the community has most recently been recognized by Assembly Member Lisa Calderon (57th District) who selected her for the 2021 57th Assembly District Women of the Year Awards. Her work was also recognized by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors during a Board Meeting on March 29th of 2016 in which she was presented an official scroll from Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis acknowledging her contributions to Los Angeles County. In 2015 the Florence Firestone Walnut Park Chamber of Commerce honored her with a Member of the Year Award during their 76th Installation Ceremony Dinner and Awards on August 6, 2015. In October of 2015 Assemblymen Reggie Jones- Sawyer (59th District) recognized Ms. Chavez for her leadership in the community of Walnut Park at a Hispanic Heritage Celebration. José Luis Solache, City of Lynwood Mayor, honored Mrs. Chavez with a Key to the City during their first annual Chavez Day Celebration on March 31, 2015 in which Mrs. Chavez also served as the keynote speaker. Additional recognitions include Mrs. Chavez being recognized by Sheriff Jim McDonnell for her leadership and efforts resulting in a reduction of “vehicle theft, property crimes, and violent crimes in 2014,” at a Public Safety Recognition Dinner held at the Kenneth Hall Auditorium at the Century Station in Lynwood on February 12, 2015. In May of 2014 the National Latina Business Women’s Association recognized Ms. Chavez with the Trailblazer Award during their 11th Annual Honoring "Latinas in Business" Awards ~ Women of Excellence! Mrs. Chavez regularly volunteers her time through public speaking and community service.

Present Affiliations:

-          Board Secretary, California Walks

-          Co-Facilitator, Food Security Coalition - SPA 7

-          Member, Captain’s Advisory Committee - Century Sheriff Station, Lynwood, CA.

-          Member, Huntington Park Preparedness Coalition (American Red Cross)

-          Facilitator, Walnut Park Safe Routes to School Task Force