Our History:

Vehicles for Change San Diego is a nonprofit dedicated to helping justice-impacted San Diegans to pave the way for a second chance. Since 2023 VFCSD has provided training, supportive services, and a welcoming community to justice-impacted San Diegans who are looking to start a new career in the automotive industry.

Our facility in National City provides a ten week training program designed to teach participants the skills needed to work in the automotive industry. Trainees get hands-on experience in our shop, workforce development and essential skills training, and are placed at jobs with our employer partners upon graduation.

We are a registered apprenticeship program with the US Department of Labor and the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards. Our curriculum has been thoroughly vetted and is designed to ensure that our graduates can gain the skills and knowledge they need to gain employment and succeed in the automotive industry.

Our Mission:

Vehicles For Change-San Diego empowers justice-impacted individuals to achieve economic independence through technical training and professional support.

Building with a sign that reads 'Vehicles for Change San Diego'.

Interior of an industrial space with a mezzanine level featuring a man standing near desks, visible wooden beams, metal ceiling, and a car lift on the ground floor.

MEET THE TEAM

Ivan Corona, Executive Director
Our Executive Director, Ivan Corona has more than a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector, a Masters in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from the University of San Diego, as well as 8 years of experience as an ASE Master Technician who owned his own shops.
icorona@vfcsandiego.org
Emilio Flores, Director of Development
Our Director of Development, Emilio Flores, has twenty years of experience in the nonprofit sector, including ten years in San Diego as a fundraiser. Emilio also has a Masters in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from the University of San Diego.
eflores@vfcsandiego.org
Phillip Murphy, Case Manager
Our Case Manager, Phillip Murphy, is a former graduate of our program and now provides one on one services and support as well as group instruction to our trainees.
pmurphy@vfcsandiego.org
Armando Torres, Employer Relations Specialist
Our Employer Relations Specialist, Armando Torres, has more than 30 years of experience in the San Diego automotive sector, including managing several auto parts suppliers and dealerships. Armando is building and strengthening relationships with employers in the automotive sector and helping to directly place our graduates in open positions.
atorres@vfcsandiego.org
Oscar Almarez, Operations Specialist
Our Operations Specialist, Oscar Almarez is a former graduate of our program and now supports our trainees in the shop and classroom.
oalmarez@vfcsandiego.org
Juvenal Corona, Instructor
Our Instructor and ASE Master Technician, Juvenal Corona, has more than 40 years of experience as a Master Mechanic and has owned and operated multiple independent automotive shops in San Diego.
jcorona@vfcsandiego.org