Children and Family Urban Movement names new executive director
6/2/2022
DES MOINES, Iowa – The Children and Family Urban Movement Board of Directors has named Rudy Trejo as the new Executive Director of the organization beginning June 20, 2022.
Trejo’s background in education combined with a deep-rooted, personal connection with the work of CFUM will bring a fresh perspective and help further advance the mission of the organization. “The CFUM Board of Directors is thrilled to have Rudy join the CFUM team as our new Executive Director,” says Board President Heather McDermott. “We’re confident that Rudy’s skill set, and vision will help propel CFUM further on its mission “to create a community that supports the potential of children, youth, and families through educational success, healthy living, and community engagement.” We look forward to his future contributions to our organization and the community we serve.”
When Trejo assumes the role, he will oversee all day-to-day operations of an organization that is vital to River Bend community members, students and families.
“I’m thrilled to join CFUM and work with such a dedicated and passionate staff,” said Trejo. “For 30-years, CFUM has been a community asset and proud partner with Moulton Elementary School. To have the ability to lead this organization into its next chapter is exciting. While growing up in west Texas, I participated in programs similar to the ones CFUM offers and frankly, I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for organizations like CFUM. I am a product of programs like Breakfast Club and Afterschool Enrichment, which makes it even more meaningful for me to be part of the CFUM team.”
Trejo currently serves as the Assistant Dean of Students for Campus Enrichment and Student Equity at Drake University. At Drake he develops and cultivates a dynamic co-curricular experience for undergraduate students while additionally overseeing the Office of Student Life, the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life, Prevention Education and Program and the Office of Spiritual Life. He also serves as the diversity, equity, and inclusion officer within the Dean of Students office and is an Adjunct Professor for the College of Business and Public Administration. In the greater Des Moines community Trejo serves as a member of both the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden Friends Board of Directors and the YMCA Housing Support Campus Board of Advisors.
Before Drake Trejo had roles as the Director of Student Engagement at the University of Denver, Associate Director of Student Involvement at Washington State University and Assistant Director of Student Activities for Student Government Leadership at the University of Arkansas.
Trejo has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Religious Studies from St. Edward’s University (Austin, Texas) and a master’s degree in Education with an emphasis in Educational Administration from the University of Texas at El Paso. While in El Paso, Trejo served as Program Coordinator with the YWCA El Paso del Norte Region’s Teen Leadership Department. During his time at the YWCA, he facilitated youth leadership curriculum; created comprehensive leadership offerings; and developed and executed a day long, city wide leadership youth conference. As part of a staff that incorporated various learning outcomes, he was instrumental in growing and enhancing programs as well as improving communication efforts and efficiencies across the entire department. For their tireless efforts serving the students of the El Paso area, Trejo and his team were awarded the Ysleta Independent School District Partners in Education Power of One Award.
About CFUM
The mission of CFUM is to create a community that supports the potential of children, youth, and families through educational success, healthy living, and community engagement. Incorporated in 1992 as Children and Family Urban Ministries, CFUM has roots back to 1968 when the congregation of Trinity United Methodist Church began the Breakfast Club. The Supper Club was added soon after and, in the years following, after-school and summer academic enrichment programs were added for K-6 students. Today CFUM serves 100 meals per day between breakfast and supper, as well as enriching the education of 150 kids during the school year and summer sessions. The work of CFUM is truly a movement for change driven by the ideals of the worth and potential of each and of all, the abundance intended for all, the draw of justice within and beyond us, and the power in community.
