Teresa Foster
Past Projects
Review all my past experiences and activity on various boards through my 30 years serving this amazing community.
Community Advocate Napa Valley
"I have worked with Teresa on the planning of the silent auction for the Annual Hispanic Network Gala. Over the years and throughout the planning process, she has demonstrated true commitment to the valuable contributions of the Hispanic Network to the Napa County community. Teresa and I worked together serving the Hispanic Network as board members for a couple of terms."
- Maria V.
testimonial
Executive Director CEO Spanish Language Consulting
Immigration
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I worked as an immigration consultant for over 30 years. My main focus was on bringing families together from around the world. While managing my own agency, I was able to help thousands of clients throughout the years to get family visas, permanent residence, and citizenship. All this while dividing my time between my office here in Napa and an outreach program that sent me to several northern California counties to speak and educate at school and churches all over that state.
Owner of Agency – Teresa Foster Immigration + Naturalization Consultant 1990 - 2021 | Bond + Registered with the State of California
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Articles
Media
TV Show Charlando con …Teresa Foster 2001 - present
Community TV Channel 27/28 | James Raymond, Director and CEO, Justin Bernard – Program Director
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Teresa Foster has been the host of this monthly TV show for 20 years. During this time, she has overseen several public projects that influence and educate our Latino community in their decisions. Her motto is: “Con la Mejor Información, hace la Mejor Decisión” on the issues that quite often are totally foreign to them. Her guests bring a wealth of topics, including general and mental health issues, housing, as well as state/county/presidential elections; her guests often include the law enforcement officers, or even the Mexican Consul. Being able to bring so many people together from different walks of life, the way Teresa does, makes for a most unique TV show, which airs in Napa, Yountville, Calistoga, American Canyon, Petaluma, Vallejo and San Rafael.
TV Show: Al Punto 1996 to 2001
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It was easy for Teresa to accept the offer to Co-host this show with Manuel Treto, as she knew this was yet another window to open for the Latino community. Teresa and her guests would be talking in their native language, Spanish, and her community was finally going to know what’s going on with all the topics of greatest interest to them. And as an Immigration Consultant since 1990, she knew what was needed. With Teresa’s unique organizational skills, along with her dynamic personality, she helped boost viewership and make this program the award-winning success story it was.
Radio Show – Hablando de Inmigración y Más - 1991 to 2021 KVON 1040 AM
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Along with radio hosts Roberto Rojas, Bobbie Rojas, and Nicolas De Luna, Teresa produced a bilingual radio talk-show for the past three decades, in which she talked about her passion: “Immigration” This is a topic close to her heart and one of reality for many undocumented people who are often afraid to seek help. Through this show, for which she received an Award of Appreciation, and with her expertise and gentle brand of tenacity, Teresa also managed to bring guests like Irma Treviño from the IRS office in Los Angeles, to discuss taxes, penalties and why and how to file for the Latino community.
Bilingual Newspaper – Crossing the Line – Cruzando La Línea 1991 - 2002
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Teresa understood the need for this newspaper column after encountering so many people in her office desperate for information that was so essential to them. She teamed up with attorney Mark Silverman from the San Francisco-based Immigrant Legal Resource Center to give the community some “water for their thirst”, and a bilingual column was created by Teresa which at one point appeared monthly in 7 newspapers in northern California. The focus was always on understanding and learning to navigate the constantly changing sea of immigration issues, and its impact on the community, something in which Teresa had a wealth of personal experience.
Published Book – Mujeres de Conciencia Book 2007
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Teresa was asked to be one of the highlighted women interviewed for this amazing book both acknowledgement and celebration of action on behalf of others. This book presents a broad spectrum of California Latinas determined to influence humanity's progress through creative endeavors. Some of them are world-famous; others are known principally in their immediate communities; but all are part of a larger group of individuals who speak and advocate with moral authority. The black and white photographs sets the stage introducing these 72 Latino activists. The biographies of each women details specific actions and reflects their impact on the well being of individuals and communities. The Author is donating all royalties of the sales of the book to fund college scholarships for Latina students.
"Teresa Foster is a true community leader. I've known Teresa for many years, and her level of commitment, enthusiasm and passion to help others never ceases to amaze me. Teresa generously volunteers her time to work on projects that help improve the entire community. I have a deep appreciation and admiration for who she is, and for what she has been able to accomplish."
- Jaime P.
testimonial
Community Engagement Director
President
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During her time as President, Teresa saw the need, among other things, to implement a 2-year term, so as to assure continuity with projects that the previous president had started. Two important creations of hers while serving as President were the “Lifetime Achievement” and “Friends of the Network” awards, a must in her Agenda, since so many leaders and pioneers had impacted the Latino Community, and she believed it was time to reward them with the recognition they deserved. She wanted to demonstrate to these Pioneers, Founders and Past Presidents who “Opened the Path” for her and many that were trying to fill their shoes as young Entrepreneurs that what they had done in their “lifetime” and as a “friend” of the Network” would not soon be forgotten.
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Another of her creations was Student of the Month, where 2 students were presented at their monthly meeting as well as in the local newspaper, to motivate other students. This was made possible thanks to Teresa’s direct connections to the Napa Register Newspaper and local High Schools. She firmly believes that better education ultimately brings more professionals back, which benefits the whole community. Not long after finishing her time as President, Teresa collaborated with other Network leaders to create the position of Ambassador, which would be held by past presidents, founders and pioneers, such as: Hope Lugo, Terry Longoria, Ana Palacios, Gloria Flores, Hilda Villegas, Virginia Romero, Roberto Garcia, Leon Garcia, Gerardo Perez, Hector Brambila, Carmen Garcia, Jess Romero, Frances Ortiz Chavez, Jose Hernandez, Ed Shenk, Tala De Wynter, Alicia Jaramillo, Maria L Cisneros, Teresa Foster, Ricky Hurtado and Congressman Mike Thompson (honorary), as a way to further the Network’s connection to the community through outreach education and goodwill.
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Teresa was always looking for new and sometimes controversial topics of interest to be discussed at the Network’s monthly meeting. The Immigration Office was invited to discuss deportation and “sweeps”, an issue that frightened many of our residents. Also, Police Chief Dan Monez talked about gang issues, which were at an all-time high. Teresa also met with Father O’Sullivan to allow meetings at the Church Hall after Spanish mass, with guests like DMV to talk about Driver License, and Queen of the Valley Medical Center representatives to talk about women and men’s health issues. No question, educating her Latino community has always been essential to Teresa Foster. Teresa enjoyed the yearly Gala and often teamed up as Master of Ceremonies. She always brought in her Board to secure venues and keynote speakers, and through her dynamic personality and persuasiveness, ensured the sale of at least 150 seats to raise money for the following year’s Scholarships, which they were able to upgrade every year.
I want to express my appreciation of the work Teresa does for immigrants and the the larger Latino community in the Napa Valley. She is knowledgeable of the regulations, maintains excellent customer service and follows up on all problems, big or small, for her clients. She attends to the details, can be counted on to complete a task for customer or the Hispanic Network. She is a tireless advocate for the Latino community and is a very effective fundraiser. She is fun to work with and always has a plan. She would be an excellent member of any community team and a Sid business women who puts her clients first. I admire her very much.
- Ed shank
testimonial
President at Napa County Library Foundation
Board Member, chair, & more
Napa County Hispanic Network – 1990 to 1997
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The NCHN is a Non-Profit organization established in 1984 to raise scholarship money for smart and talented, but economically disadvantaged Latino students to continue their higher education. During this seven-year span, Teresa Foster served as Vice-President, President, and Ambassador, and received a “Lifetime Achievement” as well as “Friend of the Network” award. Her positive, can-do attitude, coupled with her talent for organizing the best teams possible to achieve specific goals, was why she was called back several times to be the Chair for the annual Gala Event.
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(Note: The NCHN Board of Directors at that time consisted of Roberto Garcia, Leon Garcia, Carmen Garcia, Olivia Lugo, Cathy Valenzuela, and Jess Romero.)
Ambassador
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Chair of the Gala Committee - 25th Anniversary - 2008
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When Teresa was asked to team up with the Gala Committee, she didn’t blink twice. It meant that NCHN, the only “Latino” in town, was 25 years old. She was delighted, and Latina leaders like Alicia Jaramillo and Frances Ortiz Chavez were just a couple of the luminaries she pulled together on her committee. Teresa secured Amelia Ceja as the keynote speaker, to talk about one of the very first wineries to be owned and managed by a Mexican family: “Ceja Vineyards”. The Silverado Country Club was sold out before the event! Still, something was missing. Yes, what or who is the “Napa County Hispanic Network”? So, Teresa made sure a documentary video was made with Founders and past Presidents telling the story everybody should know, then and now! It was shown at the event and sold more copies than we could handle. All for the benefit of the Latino Students.
Gala Committee
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Chair + Co-Chair of the Gala Committee – 2014 to 2019
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Again, her enthusiasm and leadership were called upon to perform what Teresa loves most! She forged together a Gala Committee consisting of hard-working team members: Maria L Cisneros, Ricky Hurtado, Edhna Landin, Ana Morales, Christina Rivera, Cathy Gilles, and Catalina Chavez-Tapia, each bringing special skills and focus to the table. Teresa established “Themes” to make it more interesting and give a new facelift to the Gala that was now in its 30’s. So, what more appropriate theme than “The 30’s” and “Masquerade”! Teresa took the Program to the next level with a professional “Designer”, and it worked! As well, she asked her Vineyard owner friends for exciting live auction items that would include “Bazan Dinner under the stars”, “Firemen Chefs cooking at Ceja Vineyards”, “Charreadas”, and even Napa Valley Bottle Rock. To make it more interesting, the Master of Ceremonies needed to be from her team, but Live Auction with Barbara Nemko and Ed Shenk made it funny, and the Silent Auction was conducted by our own “Orale Man”, Artie Reyes. Teresa, Edhna and Ricky announced the Gala for 2019 –walking in with face masks to the music of Phantom of the Opera Masquerade. It was a sold-out event! In her Chair and Co-Chair roles, Teresa brought together a skilled, focused, proactive teams that produced highly Successful Events, raising many thousands of dollars for scholarships for Latino Youth.
Co-Chair
Napa Valley Adult School
advisory committee
Napa Valley Adult School 1992 – 2015 Rhonda Slota - Principal
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Teresa was the first Latina Chair of the Advisory Committee, and soon asked for more expanded services for the Latino community, which was growing rapidly, and needed to learn English so they could understand how to get better jobs, among other things. She pushed for more ESL classes, including evenings, and often gave outreach talks to the students, which opened the door for others to come and do the same. Teresa also urged the school to provide GED courses in Spanish on Saturdays, for those who couldn’t make it during the week, and was honored as keynote speaker at a number of graduations, where she addressed not only the students, but parents and family members, from whom she always got a hug or pat on the back for the motivation she generated. For her tireless efforts to expand the reach and better the quality of education offered at the Napa Valley Adult School, Teresa was given the California State “Citation of Merit Award”.
Advisory Committee of COPIA, American Center for Wine, Food and the Arts – 1999-2001
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Teresa Foster enjoyed being on a committee where COPIA only existed in Blue Prints, and later in a beautiful building – Teresa, along with the rest of the committee, oversaw all the magic of this monumental project unfold. She welcomed the opportunity to open the door to the Latino Community and students; Teresa was the key element in bringing Cindy’s Magical Pig Film Festival to COPIA, taking charge to gather up rewards and prizes for the student winners, like dinner for two at the Napa Wine Train or lunch at Villa Corona. Teresa was proud to use her organizational skills to help these students from local high schools and the Napa Valley College, as well as their families, to immerse themselves in the local wine, food and arts of the greater community.
Copia
advisory committee
Queen of the Valley Medical Center | 1997- 2003
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Teresa was the First Latina on the board of trustees. After observing things for a few months, she discovered the lack of communication with the Latino Community, and made sure all hand-outs, pamphlets and other informational materials were in English and Spanish, and was the force behind the hiring of more bilingual staff, answering the need for more education through the Queen’s sponsorship of her TV Show, "Charlando con…Teresa Foster". When Teresa was on the Subcommittee for Health Care for the Poor, she didn’t hesitate to vote to give grants to agencies in need, such as Hope Day Care Center for children of Latino low income working parents. Teresa was the Founder of Community Outreach Center, along with Connie Battisti, Dana Codron, and Jaime Peñaherrera, as well as Chair of The Latino Advisory Board – creating all bilingual personnel for our Latino community needs in Health Care Information, with in-home visits, for which she received a “Calling to Community” award from the Sisters of St. Joseph.
board of trustees
Queen
"Teresa is an exemplary community leader who is passionate about encouraging and helping Latino youth obtain a college education. Teresa actively participates in community public policy issues related to immigration and her perspective is often sought out by others. She has contributed to the positive collaborative approach that defines how Napa addresses issues that can be divisive at times in other communities."
- Richard M.
testimonial
Chief of Police City of Napa
Board Member, chair, & more continued
Board of Directors for Hospice of Napa Valley, Inc. (now Collabria Care) Celine Regalia CEO | 1999 - 2004
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Teresa brought awareness to explore and expand their services to the Latino Community; especially the need to educate them on the issue of hospice care, one that’s so foreign to their culture. Teresa introduced hospice to the public through her Radio and TV shows Charlando con Teresa Foster, and was the force behind bringing bilingual personnel to this fine organization.
board of directors
program operator
Napa Valley Museum - La Maleta Mexicana 1992 – 1994
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Teresa Foster was the perfect person to re-introduce to middle school students their roots with artifacts from their home country, in this case Mexico. Even the Anglo students were amazed at the richness of Mexican culture, which was unknown to them, or for that matter, to many of the Mexican students who were born here or brought here by their families at such an early age. Teresa teamed with Vicka Llamas and Tala De Wynter for this very successful program.
board member
Chamber Connection – 1994 – 2001
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Teresa enjoyed being a member for several years before stepping up in 2000 as Chair, where her agenda focused on the theme “Without Borders”, which reflected on the fast-growing population of Latinos in the Napa Valley. Soon, all the businesswomen in this club were scrambling to understand how to get a piece of that very valuable pie. And once again, Teresa’s skills in bringing people together for the benefit of all came in to play on many occasions—especially when she was able to link up young Latino entrepreneurs with their Anglo counterparts in the Chamber.
keynote speaker
Office of Immigration & Naturalization Services –
Keynote Speaker 1996
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Teresa was one of the first Latinas to address nearly 3,000 new citizens at the Masonic Auditorium in San Francisco, where she herself was sworn in as a United States citizen earlier that year. It’s clear that she has followed in the footsteps of her pioneer role models, which has helped to forge her into one herself. And as a U.S. citizen herself, Teresa has served these past 25 years as role model to the immigrant community on just how much one can accomplish in this great country, especially by becoming a citizen.
Co-Founder
Co-Founder Latino Leaders Luncheon - 2012 - 2018
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Latino leaders luncheon was a roundtable to bring up topics that effected the Latino Community. It was also a unique way to bring both Latinos and Anglos together to share ideas and solutions to community problems that were going on in the Napa Valley. We would meet every month to make sure we could provide extra support by getting guests like Senator Bill Dodd, Congressman Mike Thompson, Chief of Police, County Supervisors and District Attorneys to name a few to help create and implement positive change.
board member
OLE HEALTH Board of Directors Alicia Hardy, CEO 2014 – 2021
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Teresa was delighted when approached to join the board. This was an organization close to her heart, knowing that the Founders were all Latinos. Teresa made it clear from the start what the community still needed to know: she was part of the team with Maira Ayala to bring the surviving Founders: Aurelio Hurtado, Hope Lugo, Placido Garcia, and attorney Lou Flores, to tell the story of Clínica OLE, and why the community should be so proud of it. Teresa made sure of this by organizing a team to create a documentary video, La Semilla, which was first shown to more than 200 bilingual/bicultural personnel, and then shown on a large screen at the opening of the new building in South Napa. Teresa was on the sub-committee to select new members for the Board of Directors, which was sure to include Latino Leaders. And her tireless efforts to inform and reach out to the community in these high-risk times of the Covid-19 pandemic included her involvement in their bilingual video to be vaccinated against this devastating virus. Teresa is still in touch with Ole Health to this day, through CEO Alicia Hardy, to find expert guests for her TV show to speak on crucial issues, such as mental health, childhood obesity, and women’s health, among others.
public relations chair
WOMENS CLUB OF NAPA VALLEY - 2015 to PRESENT
Kristen Spence - President; Christine Jameson, Vice President; Georgia Baughman, Past-President
Teresa is the Public Relations/Outreach Chair for this organization, a title that suits her well. She brings a wealth of interesting guests to the monthly meetings such as Sasha Paulson, author of Spider Web, or well-known psychic healer Marlene Caldes, whose motto is “You get a better life when you get the bigger picture”. The focus of this women’s group that attracted Teresa is the gathering of free spirits, food and interesting guests, but also it is to raise money for women’s organizations in need. Teresa Foster’s philosophy is “When you get invited to an organization, it’s not only to have fun, but to help change things for the better, to leave a mark that will open the door for others that didn’t know how to come in. When you do that, then you have succeeded.” Once again, Teresa’s great ability to bring people of varied backgrounds together for a common good is on display, as she introduces more and more professional Latinas to this very distinguished group.