Submit Date: Jun 26, 2026
First Name
Middle
Initial
Last Name
Employer
Job Title
Email Address
Primary Phone
Alternate Phone
Street Address
Suite or Apt
City
State
Postal Code
City of Merced - Boards & Commissions
Profile
Are you 18 years of age or older? (Required)
Yes
No
Question applies to multiple boards
Do you live within the City Limits of Merced? (Required)
Yes
No
Question applies to multiple boards
Are you a registered voter in the City of Merced? (Required)
Yes
No
Which Council district do you live in?
*
District 1
Are you currently serving on a Board or Commission? If so, please list:
Weaver USD Measure K CBOC
Which Boards would you like to apply for?
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission: Submitted
Question applies to multiple boards
Highest Level of Education Completed:
*
Associate's Degree
Amanda
Estrada
Amanda Estrada
Communication
The City of Merced uses email as a preferred method of communication regarding your application.
Is this acceptable to you?
Yes
No
If you selected no, please identify how you would like to be contacted:
Interests & Experiences
Tell us about yourself, and why you are applying for this particular Board or Commission:
I am currently employed with Recovery Solutions a company that provides mental health services to individual, and I am currently pursuing a degree in Psychology. I have a strong interest in public service, community engagement, and contributing to the continued growth and success of the City of Merced.
I currently serve as Vice Chair of the Pioneer Elementary School Site Council, Vice Chair of the Citizens Stipend Setting Commission, and as a member of the Weaver USD Measure K Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee. Through these roles, I have gained experience collaborating with diverse groups, reviewing budgets and policies, and making thoughtful recommendations that serve the best interests of the community.
I
am applying because I want to become more involved in local government and contribute my time and perspective to improving the quality of life in Merced. Whether the focus is parks and recreation, planning, transportation, housing, or personnel matters, I believe every board and commission plays an important role in shaping a safe, thriving, and well-managed community. I would be honored to serve and help make thoughtful, informed decisions that benefit both current and future residents.
Please list your current employer and relevant volunteer experience.
I am currently employed with Recovery Solutions a company that provides mental health services to individuals. I served as Vice Chair of the Pioneer Elementary School Site Council, and this was my second year on the council, though my first year in the Vice Chair role. In this position, I collaborate with school leadership and fellow council members to review plans, discuss budgeting priorities, and support initiatives that benefit students and families.
I am also serving my first year on the Weaver Union School District Measure K Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC), where I help review budgets and promote accountability in the use of public funds.
Additionally, I served as Vice Chair of the City of Merced Citizens Stipend Setting Commission, where I work alongside fellow commissioners to review and make recommendations regarding elected official stipends in a fair, transparent, and responsible manner.
What is your understanding of the roles and responsibilities of this Board or Commission?
My understanding is that each City Board and Commission serves an important advisory role by reviewing information, considering community needs, and making recommendations to the City Council and City staff within its area of responsibility. Members are expected to become informed on relevant issues, participate in thoughtful discussions, consider diverse perspectives, and make decisions that are fair, transparent, and in the best interest of the community.
I also understand that serving on a Board or Commission requires preparation, collaboration, and a commitment to responsible stewardship of public resources. I value these responsibilities and would approach the role with an open mind, integrity, and a willingness to listen and learn while representing the interests of the residents of Merced.
Amanda Estrada
Upload a Resume
Do you have experience or special knowledge pertaining to this Board or Commission?
While I may not have specialized professional experience in every area represented by the City's Boards and Commissions, I bring valuable experience in collaborative decision-making, public service, budgeting, and community involvement through my leadership roles on the Pioneer Elementary School Site Council, the Citizens Stipend Setting Commission, and the Weaver USD Measure K Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee.
These experiences have
strengthened my ability to review information carefully, consider different perspectives, ask thoughtful questions, and make recommendations that balance community needs with responsible stewardship of public resources. As a Psychology student, I also have a strong interest in understanding how public policies and community resources affect people's well- being and quality of life. I am eager to continue learning and to contribute my time, dedication, and perspective in service to the City of Merced.
Any other comments you would like to add that may assist the City Council in their decision?
I care deeply about the future of Merced and want to play an active role in helping our community continue to grow and thrive. As both a parent and an engaged community member, I believe it is important to give back through public service and to help shape decisions that will have a lasting impact on future generations.
Over the past several years, I
have intentionally sought opportunities to serve my community through volunteer leadership roles, and I hope to continue that commitment by serving on a City Board or Commission. If appointed, I will come prepared, listen to diverse perspectives, ask thoughtful questions, and approach every decision with integrity, fairness, and a genuine commitment to serving the best interests of the residents of Merced.
Requirements
Question applies to multiple boards
AB 1234 Ethics Training
I Agree
*
Question applies to multiple boards
Attendance Policy
I Agree
*
Question applies to multiple boards
Statement of Economic Interests - FPPC Form 700
I Agree
*
Amanda Estrada
Date of Birth
Question applies to multiple boards
Oath of Office
I Agree
*
Question applies to multiple boards
Public Scrutiny
I Agree
*
Question applies to multiple boards
How did you hear about this vacancy?
*
City Website
Other
If you selected other, please indicate how you learned about the vacancy:
I first learned about this vacancy through a post on Instagram.
Demographics
Ethnicity
Hispanic
Gender
Female
Submission
I declare under penalty of disqualification or termination that all statements in this application are true and complete to the best of my knowledege.
AE
Amanda Estrada
Sabrina Abong
Merced, CA 95340
EDUCATION:
Los Banos High School Los Banos, CA High School diploma obtained 2013-2015 Willow Glen High School San Jose, CA 2011-2013
Atwater High School Atwater, CA 2011-2011
Merced College Merced, CA Associate's degree with transfer in psychology May 2018 Experience:
Quality Parenting Initiative conference-panelist
September 2018
● Be a panelist and share my experiences as a former foster youth to improve resource parents to create stability for foster youth and to be nurtured and to have a long lasting home.
Foster youth support coordinating program-participant
July 2018-Current
● Improve services for current foster youth in the public educational system to improve their experiences while being in public schools from kindergarten to senior year in high school.
CASA( court appointed special advocate)-mentor
April 2018-current
● Advocate for a current foster child in merced county for whatever he or she may need and write court reports and recommend the court whatever needs he or she may have.
Rural Justice Summit-participant
March 2018
● Attend a conference on how to better organize, solve issues from grassroots, the importance of emerging, the importance of why young people should vote and observe what other communities have done and use their model to make Merced Community better.
Golden Valley High School opportunity conference-panelist speaker.
February 2018
● Communicate to foster parents, probation officers, social workers, teachers, CASA workers about the benefits of coping in foster youth and understanding what he or she is going through or what he or she has gone through.
The positives and negative of AB 12 and SB 12-participant February 2018
● Attend a round table on how to better implement these bills to better serve the foster care population.
Youth Connect committee-participant
February 2018-present
● Attend a monthly meeting about how to better serve the displaced youth or homeless youth of Merced county and how to partner him or her with resources in the community to make him or her a better productive individual of society.
San Diego futures foundation-participant
December 2017
● Disseminate refurbished computers to foster parents who had foster children in San Diego county.
Foster Parent Focus Group-Trainer
September 2017-Current
● Facilitated training to foster parents on how to improve a foster youth mental health and how to build a relationship built on trust and respect.
Merced College Guardian Scholar
September 2017-May 2018
● Provided foster youth attending Merced College resourced for them to be successful in college.
Big Bear Retreat-Facilitator
August 2017
● Facilitated training and workshops to develop a guardian scholar club at Merced college.
Continuum Care Reform- Speaker
July 2017
● Disseminate and provide vital feedback on the “healthy kids” survey to be presented to Foster Youth in group homes to measure level of happiness. ● Provide them with steps that can be taken to positively create relationships with youth that are in care.
PBS SoCal- Participant
July 2017
● Provide input about foster care and how to best support foster youth through the use of documentaries.
Merced City School District LCAP Meeting-Participant
May 2017
● Participated in district talks as an impacted youth and provided ways to use the money meant for foster youth to ensure more youth become successful.
Merced City School District Board Meeting- Participant
Feb 2017- July 2017
● Attended School Council Meetings and provided a “best practices” approach in how to help the district's foster youth and ensure their success.
California Youth Connection – Merced Chapter
May 2016- Current
● Spoke with legislators and provided them personal experiences and information as to why certain legislation will be beneficial for foster youth if passed such as Senate Bill 1060 which aims to keep siblings connected after adoption.
● Met with my Local Assembly member and informed them of what Foster care is and how their support can secure a better future for the nation’s Foster Youth.
Tay Member of Alameda Behavioral Health- Panelist
February 2020- Current
● Attend monthly meetings on behalf of TAY( Transitional Age Youth) and as a TAY to better help the TAY youth from 16-24.
Nytd Reviewer
March-current
● Attend virtual training biweekly to review the NYTD survey and the findings that have been found from administering the survey to youth in foster care on a federal level from every state.
Boards commission and leadership Institute
August-current
● Attend bi-monthly training on how to publicly speak on a board and be on different boards how to efficiently speak publicly.
HeartMath Training
May-August
● Attend a weekly virtual training to breathe efficiently through stressful times and better calm down.