Paula grew up in the south suburbs of Chicago and has lived in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago for about 11 years. She fell in love with her adopted home and has become a dedicated community organizer outside her full time job. She is bilingual in English and Spanish. Her abilities include: being able to listen, analyze, think clearly and creatively, work well with people individually and in a group, and provide constructive feedback. She possesses honesty, openness to differing views, a friendly, responsive, and patient approach, engagement skills, personal integrity, a developed sense of values, and concern for and interest in community development.