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Meet the Team
Stephen Morales, MSW
Director
Email: smorales@ucr.edu
Stephen (he/him) holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) from Loma Linda University and brings more than 15 years of experience in the social service sector. His work focuses on supporting youth and young adults with lived experience in foster care and LGBTQ+ communities. Stephen has led housing, mental health, and youth development initiatives across Riverside and San Bernardino counties, including establishing Transitional Age Youth drop-in centers and campus-based mental health outreach programs. As a former foster youth, he brings both professional expertise and lived experience to his work supporting students and strengthening pathways to higher education and long-term success.
Yvonne Cortes
Foster Youth Student Success Coordinator
Email: yvonnec@ucr.edu
Direct line: (951) 827-1624
Yvonne Cortes joined UCR with a background in youth advocacy and mentorship. After graduating from Cal Poly Pomona, she dedicated over four years to serving at-risk youth in Pomona and surrounding communities, working as a mentor and advocate while implementing restorative practices. Integrity, honesty, and fairness are the values that drive her work, and she hopes to continue supporting youth while further developing her skills. Yvonne brings bright and positive energy to her work, and outside of her professional life, she enjoys spending time with her family.
Phillip Valdovinos
Program Coordinator
Email: phillipv@ucr.edu
Direct line: (951) 827-1611
Phillip joins UCR from the nonprofit sector, where he spent four years supporting underrepresented youth and adults in the Ramona Gardens housing community in East Los Angeles. A former foster youth and non-traditional student, Phillip began his higher education journey at East Los Angeles College before transferring to UCLA, where he earned a double major in Chicano/a Studies and Psychology. He is passionate about mentoring students and helping them navigate pathways to higher education. Outside of work, Phillip enjoys spending time outdoors, camping, and volunteering at animal shelters.
Office of Foster Youth Support Services
Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
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To learn more, visit the UC Nondiscrimination Statement or the Nondiscrimination Policy Statement for University of California Publications Regarding Student-Related Matters.