We are proud to have team members who bring not only professional experience to their work, but also deep compassion and lived understanding of the challenges many families face. Case Manager Lissete Frausto is one of those people.
Lissete is a caring and compassionate advocate dedicated to helping clients connect with essential resources and support systems. Whether assisting families with navigating services or helping individuals access critical community programs, she approaches every interaction with empathy, patience, and a genuine desire to help others succeed.
Before joining TCCC, Lissete built a strong reputation as a parent organizer and early childhood education advocate. Her leadership and commitment to empowering families earned her community recognition, including being named the 2024 recipient of the Phyllis K. Friedman – Retha Smith Robinson Community Leadership Award by the San Francisco Foundation. The award honors emerging women-of-color leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.
In the Foundation’s feature article, “Community Parenting: How One Mom Turned Trauma into Action,” Lissete shared the deeply personal experience that inspired her advocacy journey. After her infant son suffered injuries at an unsafe daycare facility, she became determined to help create safer, more supportive systems for children and families. Through her work with Kidango, she trained and empowered parents to advocate for policies improving access to childcare and early learning opportunities throughout California.
That same passion for advocacy continues to shape her work at TCCC today. Lissete understands how overwhelming it can feel to ask for help, and she works hard to ensure every client feels heard, respected, and supported.
Outside of work, Lissete is a proud mother who enjoys spending her days off making memories with her family. Her dedication to both her community and her loved ones reflects the heart she brings into everything she does.
We are grateful to have Lissete as part of the TCCC team and proud to celebrate the positive impact she continues to make every day.
At Tracy Community Connections Center (TCCC), some of the most impactful work starts with meeting basic needs. Few people embody that mission more than Debbie Degravelles. As Director of the Shower and Laundry Programs, Debbie has spent the past five years helping build services that restore dignity, create connection, and open the door to lasting change.
Debbie’s journey with TCCC began as a volunteer, stepping into a role that initially felt unfamiliar. But that hesitation didn’t last long. As she began forming relationships with individuals experiencing homelessness, her perspective shifted. What she found were people doing their best to navigate incredibly difficult circumstances, often surviving on limited fixed incomes that simply weren’t enough. Over time, those early interactions turned into meaningful relationships, and the fear she once felt was replaced with empathy, respect, and genuine care. Many of those individuals are still part of her life today, whether they’ve found housing, are in transition, or are supporting loved ones of their own.
In the early days, the program focused on something simple but essential: providing showers. But Debbie quickly saw that hygiene was just one piece of a much larger need. Hunger was common, so she began bringing food herself. Clothing access was limited, so she started collecting donations to make sure clients had what they needed. What began as small, informal efforts gradually grew into the robust, multi-faceted programs TCCC offers today, serving dozens of people each week with not just showers and laundry, but food, clothing, and connection to deeper support.
Along the way, Debbie has experienced moments that reflect the full depth of this work. One that stands out is a long-time client who arrived at the program seriously ill. In a quiet, deeply personal moment, Debbie and a colleague were able to offer comfort and support during his final days. It was a reminder that TCCC’s work goes far beyond services, but simply showing up for people as whole human beings, with compassion and dignity.
The growth of the program has been driven not only by need, but by community. As more people came for support, more individuals and local businesses stepped up to help. Donations of clothing, food, and time began pouring in, turning a small volunteer effort into a true community-wide movement. Debbie often reflects on how that momentum built naturally. When people saw the work being done, they wanted to be part of it.
Of course, the journey hasn’t been without challenges. Setbacks have come, including the loss of access to spaces that once supported the work. But even in those moments, there have been powerful reminders of impact. Debbie recalls meeting a man during those earlier days who was struggling with homelessness and addiction. With support and persistence, he found his way into recovery, went back to school, and now helps run multiple sober living homes in Tracy. Stories like his are a testament to what’s possible when someone is given a chance.
Looking ahead, Debbie sees even more opportunity. The need is still great, and the potential to expand services and reach more people continues to drive her work. Her vision is clear: to keep building programs that not only meet immediate needs, but help people move forward with stability and hope.
Through it all, Debbie’s impact is evident, not just in the programs she’s helped grow, but in the countless lives she’s touched along the way.
Our board members play a vital role in shaping the vision and impact of our work, and our Treasurer, Dom Nkunku, is a powerful example of what it means to lead with purpose. For the past three years, Dom has been driven by a deep passion to serve his community, bringing both heart and perspective to TCCC’s mission.
What Dom values most about being part of TCCC is the opportunity to make a real, tangible difference in people’s lives. Whether it’s helping provide immediate essentials like food and shelter or supporting long-term solutions like job training, mental health care, and housing, he finds fulfillment in seeing hope restored. For Dom, the work goes beyond services. It’s about treating every individual with dignity, compassion, and respect.
One experience that stands out to him is helping a young mother and her two children transition from living in their car to stable housing. With the support of TCCC programs, she was able to access temporary shelter, job assistance, and childcare. Watching her move from fear and uncertainty to stability and confidence was a powerful reminder of why this work matters, not just for individuals, but for entire families.
Dom hopes more people understand that even small acts of kindness can have a lasting impact. A meal, a conversation, or simply being seen can help someone feel valued again. He believes that by building awareness and compassion, we can break down stereotypes around homelessness and create a more supportive community for everyone.
Outside of TCCC, Dom describes himself as passionate, reliable, and optimistic. He is a pastor, speaks nine languages, and enjoys cooking traditional Congolese dishes as a way to connect with others and share his culture. When asked what historical figure or celebrity he’d have dinner with if given the chance, his answer was, “I would love to sit down with Jesus Christ. His teachings on love, forgiveness, and faith have changed millions of lives, and I would love the chance to ask Him questions directly and learn from His wisdom. It would be the most life-changing dinner conversation ever!”
On his days off, you’ll likely find Dom exploring new places, taking road trips, or discovering local favorites like Magellan Restaurant.
We’re grateful for Dom’s leadership, compassion, and unwavering commitment to serving others. His dedication continues to help move TCCC’s mission forward and strengthen the community we all share.
At Tracy Community Connections Center, our work is powered by people who truly care about making life better for others. One of those people is John Mello, a dedicated Case Manager for our new Transitional Rent Program in Stanislaus County. John brings experience, compassion, and heart to everything he does.
John joined TCCC with extensive hands-on experience working with vulnerable populations. Over the years, he has built a career focused on uplifting underserved communities and improving quality of life in challenging urban environments. That background makes him a natural fit for the mission of TCCC, helping people move from crisis to stability with dignity and support.
When asked what inspired him to join the organization, John gives credit to our Director of Programs, Shiree McCarty-Hopkins. Her encouragement and leadership played a big role in bringing him onto the team.
What keeps John here is simple: the shared passion for helping others.
“What I love most about being part of TCCC is the passion to want to help the community,” he explains. “Everyone here truly cares about the people we serve.”
That commitment shows up every day in the way John works with clients. Whether he’s helping someone navigate housing challenges, connect with resources, or take the next step toward stability, he approaches each situation with patience, understanding, and a genuine desire to make a difference.
John wishes more people understood just how much effort goes on behind the scenes.
“I wish people knew how hard we work to provide services,” he says. The TCCC team spends countless hours coordinating care, solving problems, and walking alongside clients through difficult circumstances. It is work that often goes unnoticed but changes lives every day.
If John had to describe himself in three words, he chooses: Helpful, Fun, and Experienced – a combination that perfectly captures his approach. He brings knowledge and professionalism to his role, but never loses his sense of humor or warmth.
Outside of work, John has plenty of interests that keep life exciting. A fun fact many people don’t know about him? He loves officiating sports. Staying involved in athletics is one of the ways he connects with his community and enjoys his free time.
Asked who he’d want to have dinner with, John doesn’t hesitate: “Derek Jeter – he played for the NY Yankees.” Like many lifelong sports fans, John admires Jeter’s leadership, dedication, and professionalism.
When he’s not at TCCC, John’s favorite way to spend a day off is simple and meaningful – time with his grandbabies. Family is clearly at the center of his life, and those moments recharge him for the important work he does.
And if you ever run into him around town, there’s a good chance you might spot him at one of his favorite local places: Market Square Café right here in Tracy.
John Mello represents the heart of TCCC. We are experienced professionals who show up with compassion, humor, and a deep commitment to serving others. We’re grateful to have him on our team and excited to see the continued impact he’ll make in the lives of our clients and community.
Thank you, John, for all that you do!
