Our Staff
Founder Angie Ibarra is a San Francisco native, born to immigrant parents but raised, along with several siblings, by a single mom. With intimate understanding of the struggles of life on welfare, she has always held deep compassion for families in her community. While working professionally in the corporate sector for over 25 years, Angie volunteered her time reaching out to mothers and their children. This grew her passion to equip others to do the same, with the goal of transforming the lives of families who live in poverty. Angie has a reputation for “getting the job done,” a strength she brings to her work in Redwood City. Since launching Generations United, her work has reached over 1,000 children a year, mobilizing 500 volunteers annually. Angie's ability to engage with leaders, school administrators, community partners, churches, city officials and businesspeople has been vital in serving families increasingly under duress from threat of displacement.
Director of Education, Benita Hopkins, is known by all as an “agent of change,” a reputation she earned while serving as the director of community engagement for Love Never Fails, a nonprofit committed to aiding the trafficked population. She seeks to bring hope to children around the world who have suffered from shame and abandonment, for example, Ghana, where she has advanced efforts in violence prevention and aftercare programs for trauma victims. She was awarded “2015 Abolitionist of the Year” by the San Francisco Collaborative Against Human Trafficking, and the “Working Women’s Award” by the Dr. MLK Jr. Association of Santa Clara Valley. These distinctions reflect her competence as a cross-cultural educator, and a champion for social justice in communities like the ones she serves through GU.
Candice is a native of the Bay Area, growing up in Millbrae and San Bruno, and finally making her way to Redwood City where she and her husband lived with their son until the fall of 2017. Living part of her life as a high schooler in her ancestral Mexico, she developed a deep love for her heritage and language, bringing these to the Latino community she served faithfully in the Bay Area. She has volunteered and worked in various non-profit settings related to youth and families, including working on the ground with GU as well as the Mission Preparatory Charter School in San Francisco where she served as the communications director.
She loves spending time with her husband and family, traveling and exploring places she has never seen before. In fact, in September of 2017, Candice and Norman packed up and moved across the country to the Charlotte area and in 2018, they bought a home in Rock Hill, just across the border in South Carolina. In late 2019, they welcomed a baby girl to their family.
After serving for many years on the board, Candice has rejoined the GU team as Communications and Administration Manager in a remote capacity. She will travel to CA once or twice a year(and use technology outside of those visits) to stay connected with the work that still needs to be done.
She loves spending time with her husband and family, traveling and exploring places she has never seen before. In fact, in September of 2017, Candice and Norman packed up and moved across the country to the Charlotte area and in 2018, they bought a home in Rock Hill, just across the border in South Carolina. In late 2019, they welcomed a baby girl to their family.
After serving for many years on the board, Candice has rejoined the GU team as Communications and Administration Manager in a remote capacity. She will travel to CA once or twice a year(and use technology outside of those visits) to stay connected with the work that still needs to be done.
I was born and raised in the mountains of North Carolina. My passion working with kids started in college when I helped out with and led tutoring through Habitat for Humanity. Working with them inspired me to pursue a career where I could change a child's life. From then on, I decided I wanted to become a teacher and make an impact in every students' lives. In 2016, I moved to the Bay Area. Since then, I have been a teacher in the Redwood City School District. I taught kindergarten for two years at Fair Oaks Community School. Currently, I'm teaching second grade at Roosevelt Elementary. My passion working with kids continues to grow through teaching and Generations United.
Crystal hails from San Mateo with an extensive background both in the corporate sector as well as nonprofit. As a young teenager she launched into a lifelong career of missionary work spanning everywhere from Latin America to the Polynesian islands. She spent a number of years as a missionary and in Leadership roles with Missions organizations and working with local organizations in countries visited. As a missionary she has traveled to 11 countries. Currently she lives in Hawaii with her husband and 5 1/2-year-old daughter, some of her favorite things to do are hiking, studying the Bible, dancing, Karaoke, learning about other cultures & languages and swimming.
Cynthia is a North Fair Oaks native and her parents long standing community members for 25+ years. She actually graduated from Fair Oaks School and has spent her entire life in Redwood City. Cynthia had the privilege of working for The City of Redwood City as a Recreation Program Coordinator for twelve years. Her position as a Recreation Program Coordinator consisted of various responsibilities such as implementing and accommodating both academic and enrichment activities for several communities in Redwood City. In addition, this has given her the opportunity to supervise students from all backgrounds, primarily low-income students. Her goal is to ensure that every participant receives equal opportunity, and provide a safe, and fun environment by accommodating and modifying enrichment and academic activities to provide equity. Cynthia has worked cooperatively with school staff, parallel programs and partners to achieve this goal. Cynthia’s greatest joy is making memories with her husband, and two children. They love camping, hiking, and going to the drive in movie theater.
Debbie Anderson, born and raised in the Bay Area has traveled the world to work with children. She is passionate to help children find their voice and strength within. Debbie desires to help them understand that they matter, they’re loved, and that they have the ability to do anything they set out to do. In her free time she loves spending time with her family, being creative, painting, going to the family cabin in Arnold, enjoying a conversation with a friend and watching her daughter play soccer.
Andrew is a Bay Area native, raised in the Belle Haven neighborhood of Menlo Park, where he has lived his whole life. His passion for supporting students through academic and personal challenges began in college where he worked as a Migrant Education tutor and mentor. This experience opened the door to learning how to truly support the students that are in the most need.
After graduating from the University of the Pacific with a B.A. in Sociology, Andrew served as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic. While there, he learned about the different learning styles and trained teachers how to adapt their lessons to be able to reach each one of the students. He went on to co-teach first grade at Phillips Brooks School where he learned the value of social-emotional intelligence and a responsive classroom.
Andrew is now pursuing a Masters in School Counseling because of his desire to continue to provide emotional support and connect students to services they may need. It is important to Andrew that all students are supported by their educators and also have opportunities to explore their own interests. Andrew has attended workshops that focus on diversity and how to tailor lessons to be culturally inclusive and insightful. He is grateful for the opportunity to bring his skills to Generations United and continue to learn how he can better serve as an educator.
After graduating from the University of the Pacific with a B.A. in Sociology, Andrew served as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic. While there, he learned about the different learning styles and trained teachers how to adapt their lessons to be able to reach each one of the students. He went on to co-teach first grade at Phillips Brooks School where he learned the value of social-emotional intelligence and a responsive classroom.
Andrew is now pursuing a Masters in School Counseling because of his desire to continue to provide emotional support and connect students to services they may need. It is important to Andrew that all students are supported by their educators and also have opportunities to explore their own interests. Andrew has attended workshops that focus on diversity and how to tailor lessons to be culturally inclusive and insightful. He is grateful for the opportunity to bring his skills to Generations United and continue to learn how he can better serve as an educator.
Diego Medina is the outdoor activity coordinator. He leads sports activities with important core values such as respect, discipline, kindness, and sportsmanship because being a good citizen and human being comes first. Diego loves working with children and provides love, care, guidance and is a positive role model. He was born to immigrant parents from Apatzingan, Michoacan, Mexico and raised in East Palo Alto and his upbringing connects him to our students in a special way. Prior to joining Generations United in 2019, Diego was with the Redwood City Parks and Recreation REACH program. Diego is a semi professional soccer player currently playing with UPSL side JASA RWC as well as coaching 07 girls from the San Mateo County Earthquakes. At 24, Diego has been blessed and privileged to follow his dream of playing high level soccer traveling across the world to countries such as Canada, Mexico, and Greece where he won a 3rd division cup title in Xania, Crete in March of 2018 with Paleochora FC in front of thousands of fans!
Our Board of Directors
Dr Kylie Billingsley specializes in psycho-diagnostic testing and therapy for children and adolescents with complex developmental and diagnostic presentations through Sequoia Counseling Services in Redwood City. She works with children, teens and families with neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD and ASD, as well as trauma, attachment disorders and rare medical conditions. Prior to private practice she was the developmental specialist at Kaiser RWC for 8 years. She uses CBT, play therapy and family systems approaches.
Stanley Johnson is the father of three young adult children and married to his wife and friend of 30 years Karen Johnson. Stanley is a native of the Redwood City. He graduated from San Diego State in 1981, with a degree in business administration and an emphasis in marketing. Stanley has worked with Pepsico, and its Frito Lay brand of products, in a sales and marketing capacity and for three decades. He has also served in regional sales in a managerial capacity for ERICO International Corporation, a company that provides electrical solutions for construction projects all around the globe. Stanley has a passion for outdoor adventures, but more importantly, a heart for the vulnerable and marginalized. Over the past two decades he has served on the boards of community-based organizations, including the American Youth Soccer Organization of San Carlos, and Peninsula Covenant Community Center in Redwood City.
Mary Martinez has served for over four years at North Fair Oaks Elementary, Redwood City School District, as the Community School Coordinator. In this role, her task is to bring families and community members together to provide a network of support for the students, helping maximize their potential for success. Her relational connectedness proved critical over the past few years as the district threatened to close down the school due to declining enrollment and revenues. Advocating tirelessly, and helping elevate the voices of the parent community before the district, the decision to close the school was reversed and enrollment numbers went back up. Prior to her promotion to she was the REACH coordinator - an after school program offered by the city of Redwood City. Mary, a graduate of University of California, Santa Cruz, also brings valuable experience having served as a Recreation Coordinator for the city for seven years. Her most treasured role, however, is being a mom to her two elementary school children, themselves members of the student body of the Redwood City School District.
Peter Morris was born and raised on the San Francisco Peninsula. He grew up as a young boy in Redwood City, and received his public education in the Redwood City’s classrooms. Fond of this experience growing up, Peter has a special heart for local schools, and the families that attend them. As he always has enjoyed, he has great love for physical fitness and outdoor activities of every kind. He also has a love of music, and now performs the trumpet with the San Jose Wind Symphony as one of its principal brass players. Peter serves as a investment advisor with Lincoln Financial, where he helps clients achieve their financial goals and plan for their retirement. Married for over 40 years, Peter and Fredda have four adult children and five grandchildren. They are active members of Peninsula Covenant Church and the Peninsula Community Center. Peter’s wife Fredda has been instrumental in developing relationships with children and families through tutoring weekly with Generations United.
Carol Patterson serves as the CEO of Shepherd’s Gate, a Bay Area nonprofit that provides safe refuge for battered and homeless women and their children. Her background in nonprofit management, finance, operations and fundraising, is extensive. She began her professional career in the software industry, where she spent 23 years in executive roles, successfully assisting with Silicon Valley startups, including a product acquisition of Oracle. With a deep personal passion to help those struggling in poverty, Carol started tutoring at-risk youth in East Palo Alto as a volunteer with City Team, a nonprofit ministry that serves the homeless, the hungry, and the addicted. As her heart grew for the work, she left the high-tech industry to serve on City Team’s executive staff. She is a graduate of California State University, East Bay, and has earned additional certificates from Santa Clara University and The Wharton School.
Rica Ruiz, as a real estate professional, is privy to the inflated housing market that has been the San Francisco Bay Area, and the peninsula in particular. While she serves a broad clientele with their dreams of homeownership, she grieves the lack of access for so many, particularly among immigrant, working families. Her long-term vision is for affordable housing for this community, a reality that is integral to her understanding of economic justice. Her heart for the poor comes from an intimate place. Born in the Philippines, and raised by a single mom in Contra Costa County, Rica has firsthand experience not only with financial hardship, but the emotional duress of marginalization, an existence that remains largely true even to this day. Working hard her whole life, Rica paid her way through college, graduating with a degree in media at San Francisco State. Her greatest joy is being with her husband, and watching her son play baseball. She also has been a volunteer with Generations United, Inc weekly for 3 years. This has changed her life in ways she never imagined and her heart has been moved to action.
Sharon Seeberger, Glocal Hub Director for Peninsula Covenant Church, has lived her life committed to serving her community, whether across the street...or the ocean. Having taught English-as-a-second-language for many years in Asia and Europe, she returned to the United States to teach in a Wyoming school district just as the children of migrant farm workers began to show up in class. She would become the first teacher they would come to know, this side of the border. This experience deepened her vision for the opportunity that cross-cultural teaching brings to develop and prepare young people for indigenous leadership within their home countries. For Sharon, every child is significant, made to dream, love and serve, whether in Beijing, the Congo, or Redwood City. Thus, she is passionate for Generations United’s commitment to see children reach their fullest potential. Living in Redwood City, she and her husband Bob have been married for over 40 years.