About Us
Why Nexus?
228,763
unhoused youth in California
1.1 million
unhoused youth in US
Nexus: Center of Training and Innovation is Monarch School Project’s response to this national crisis. Through Nexus, Monarch School Project offers training, coaching, and consulting in our integrated, evidence-based approach to serving students and families, especially those experiencing housing insecurity.
Monarch School Project
Monarch School Project is a 501c3 located in the Barrio Logan neighborhood of San Diego. Partnered with the San Diego County Office of Education, our school is a public/private partnership serving about 300 K-12 students, their families, and our alumni. All students enrolling at Monarch School “lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence” (see McKinney-Vento definition).
Learn more about our school and history here.
The Monarch Model
At Monarch School Project, we systematically build authentic relationships with unhoused children and their families. These relationships form the foundation for a safe community, which enables high-level learning. We integrate learning with trauma-informed care, a strengths-based approach, and restorative practices. We invite you to read our full Monarch Model e-publication to learn more about our integrated approach.
Meet Our Team
-
Vicki Wodarczyk, EdD
VP of Operations
Dr. Vicki Wodarczyk established an evaluation system at Monarch, fostering a culture of data-driven growth. She oversees strategic research initiatives and refines evaluation frameworks to support continuous learning. With over 20 years of experience in education and underserved communities, Vicki also leads the development of MSP’s Nexus Center of Training and Innovation, enhancing impact on unhoused students and families. She holds a BA in Psychology, an MA in Teaching, and a Doctorate in Education.
-
Sarah Cusey, MBA
Training Manager
Sarah Cusey designed a project-based cohort training rooted in the Monarch Model, a relationship-centered, strengths-based, restorative, trauma-informed approach to working with unhoused students and families. She engaged a wide range of stakeholders to develop a comprehensive curriculum and workbook. Sarah leads and supports the facilitation of trainings for Monarch School Project staff and Nexus partners. She holds a Bachelor's in Elementary Education with a focus on visual art, and a Master's in Business Administration with a focus on Nonprofit Management.