Margaret's dedication to serving others was evident in every task she has undertaken, including creating a quality assurance program that was considered the In-Home Supportive Services Quality Assurance gold standard, designated a subject matter expert in In-Home Supportive Services due to her work with California Program Fraud Agents, participated in a training series hosted by California Department of Health for work in fraud prevention, representative county stakeholder in one of the first multi-disciplinary teams for the prevention and intervention of teen suicide in the 1990s; helped coordinate the first Placer County Senior Peer Counseling program in the early 1990s and 20 years later, returned to supervise and redesign the program by integrating multi-county involvement with Area 4 on Aging. The last professional achievement of her career with Placer County was being the county services stakeholder to protect Senior Rights within local communities.
During her time at Placer County, Margaret's skills included management, client advocacy, and more. She also spent six years as a freelance copywriter, honing her creative and communication skills and deepening her understanding of marketing and branding strategies. This diverse background, coupled with her unique perspective, has equipped her with a versatile and adaptable skill set that she brings to every project and client interaction.
Margaret's commitment to service extends beyond her professional life, significantly impacting her community. As an Outreach Specialist, she has guided clients through life's challenges, offering translation services, grief and crisis counseling, and assimilation guidance.
Her role in organizing fundraising and awareness events, such as guest speaking on several episodes of the Fresno State Portuguese Beyond Borders, participating in focus groups addressing issues such as the role of women in today’s Portuguese community, the cross-cultural issues facing today’s Portuguese immigrant; developing more vital care collaboration between Central Valley services and San Jose’s Portuguese Organization for Social Services and Opportunities.
Further, she collaborated with the Carlos Vieira Foundation, focusing on the campaign Race to End Stigma and launching the first mobile office unit for the Portuguese Bom Samaritano Foundation (the only of its kind in the United States).
Additionally, she assisted in creating a memorandum of understanding between Casa de Saúde São Rafael (the mental health and drug treatment provider for Azores, Portugal) and the Portuguese Bom Samaritano Foundation to facilitate a case-by-case, mental health treatment protocol for Portuguese immigrants to return to Portugal for care; assisted in planning and hosting two annual, large scale, fundraising events raising more than $50,000 a year and her contributions to public relations efforts on Portuguese-American national radio programs and newspapers, is a testament to her deep connection to her community and her ability to connect with diverse groups of people.
Margaret's commitment to animal rescue is not just a hobby, but a profound passion that she dedicates her volunteer time and resources to. She has rescued a wide variety of animals, from hummingbirds to horses. Her collaboration with others to foster dogs and her role as the proud guardian of a rescue dog named Ellie further demonstrate her unwavering commitment to this cause. Margaret's determination to assist every creature that shares the earth with us is a testament to her deep empathy and compassion, which resonate in any professional or personal setting.
Margaret Peek's life and career are a testament to her deep-seated need to stay productive in activities that benefit others.
Whether supporting her community, advocating for clients, or rescuing animals, she is committed to making a positive impact. She looks forward to continuing to grow and learn in her professional journey.
