Thank you to all who helped us get the new Academic Enrichment Center ready for students and families! We are so expectant for what this new space will hold and how our programs will reach even more people in our community. Please click through the slideshow below for highlights from our Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting!
Please use the “FULL SCREEN” (frame icon in the bottom right) option for best viewing
We are thrilled to announce that we have secured a location to host our Academic Enrichment Center (AEC) and community activities. Generations United has provided educational programming for over a decade to NFO families. We are grateful to continue to provide quality instruction, fun, and community at our new location on the corner of 2nd Street and Bay Rd. This center will be accessible to the community all day as we relaunch Music, ESL, Dance, Computer, Redwood City Reads, and so much more. Our mission to empower children and families continues to expand just in time for Hispanic Heritage Month!
There are so many ways for you to help our students in need:
Sign up to be a volunteer reader! We need caring adults and youth to commit to one hour per week of reading and academic support
Help us beautify our space: We need all hands on deck to get our space ready for students. Email Keith or call him at (602)388-3414 to join the team!
Don’t miss our Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Friday, September 17 at 4 pm. Refreshments will be available until 7 pm.
Thank you so much. I look forward to seeing you at our Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on September 17!
We always need drivers! Join the team that looks forward to seeing our families in the community every Tuesday. It’s about an hour of work but so worth it. Sign up using the link below
Work with a child
With the new school year upon us, we will continue serving children and families as we have for 14 years. There is always a need for volunteers to come and spend an hour a week with a student and support their reading and other academic needs.
Summer has kept us busy. We sang, played, read, and so much more! As we say “so long” to some team members, we added more to our fold. Please read and share.
Beloved friends, partners, and faithful supporters,
Summer comes to an end for many students and many in North Fair Oaks will return to school on Aug 12, 2021; it’s incredible how this summer has flown by! I find myself thinking about the amazing community that we serve and love through food distribution, financial support, and educational opportunities. I also think of everyone who helped Generations United meet the needs of this community and the many relationships that were forged and strengthened.
At the same time, it’s overwhelming to consider the challenges so many of our families still face. Food distribution continues and it’s a blessing to be able to provide 145 families with fresh, organic fruits and vegetables and more!
We find ourselves a bit exhausted as many volunteers head out to visit family or just go on a much-needed vacation! We are in need of more volunteers to help on Tuesdays to deliver this great food!
It’s an incredible blessing to fulfill our dream of empowering many in our community to succeed.
Be on the lookout for our 2021 impact report in the mail. We are asking for many to invest in our mid-year match campaign where every gift up to $40,000 will be matched through August 31! Our biggest needs for the remainder of 2021 are:
Recruit additional volunteers to work with children in the coming school year! Distance learning impacted children in our community and set many of them back even further than prior years
Support for the many children who remain at home this summer and the incredible gap they will face as they head into the 2021/2022 school year
Secure funding to provide mental health services to children and families
Hire a new teacher for the school year 2021/2022
We have a vision for continued proximity to the pain in our city by reaching out to the most economically challenged families in our city. Thank you for being a part of our story! Please read this article that we believe will give you a glimpse into the community:
As our organization expands, we are thrilled to welcome new team members to our efforts
Lidia Raquel Orduña-Ruiz Lidia is passionate about music, learning, and helping others to succeed. She joined us at the beginning of the summer to support our Academic Enrichment Center at Verbo and will continue through the summer and into fall. Click for full bio
Monserrat Zamora joined us last month in the role of Social Media Coordinator and will provide Administrative Support as well. She is also using her Early Childhood Education background to provide support on-site for summer camps.
THANK YOU TO THE TAPELUS AND MS. JULIA
We have been so blessed to have additional team members to support all of our efforts this summer. As we transition to the fall, we say “so long” to Kopo & Crystal Tapelu and wish them all the best in their new adventures as a family in Samoa!
Julia Sanchez will be able to complete her study abroad program this fall in London as part of her law degree and we are excited for her to live out this dream!
THANK YOU for all you have done to support our community and the families that we serve!
What an amazing Summer we have had!
Volunteer Opportunities
Food Distribution
Summer months mean folks are on vacation and we need drivers! Join the team that looks forward to seeing our families in the community every Tuesday. It’s about an hour of work but so worth it. Sign up using the link below
Work with a child
With the new school year upon us, we will continue serving children and families as we have for 14 years. There is always a need for volunteers to come and spend an hour a week with a student and support their reading and other academic needs.
We are anticipating lots of new things and welcoming staff, programs, and more! Please read and share.
This time last year we moved quickly to provide essential food to families in the midst of a global pandemic. This was no easy feat and indeed we are grateful for the fact that this pivot allowed for a greater sense of community. Relationships forged a deeper connection and proximity to the pain. Our vision of empowering families by connecting them to caring community members has grown tremendously and given many a sense of purpose in the midst of the pain. For this, we are fortunate to develop deeper connections with families and volunteers alike.
As we move forward with anticipation, we are expanding our Academic Enrichment Centers (AECs) which currently serve 50 students. We are grateful for a grant to provide an additional opportunity to work with 51 more students. These students will have the opportunity to receive direct support as they wrap up the school year. Our Academic Enrichment Center at Connect Charter School will serve additional students and we are adding a new location with our partner Familia Cristiana Verbo for a full-time effort.
As our organization expands, we are thrilled to welcome new team members to our efforts
The Tapelu Family – Verbo AEC
Crystal Tapelu has been on staff in a contract capacity and moves to full-time on-site staff alongside her husband, Kopo Tapelu. With over 15 years of experience in working with families, students, and community organizations, they bring a wealth of experience, knowledge, and passionate love for our neighborhood. After seven years in Hawaii with their first daughter, they have relocated to California temporarily before completing the adoption of their second daughter overseas. They will launch our AEC at Verbo and we are excited to have them!
Melany Romero
Family Engagement
Melany Romero joined us in the early part of this year and has hit the ground running. As our Family Engagement point of contact, she interfaces daily with parents, students, volunteers, and staff to ensure the effective flow of communication and availability of resources. Melany’s extensive experience in nonprofit work and community outreach are an asset to GU and we look forward to all that we will accomplish together! Melany was raised in Redwood City and she also supports food distribution and our Academic Enrichment Centers.
WE HAD A BUSY FEBRUARY!
Thank you, Jenn Wong, and your PCC high school small group for preparing Valentine’s Day treat and cookies for our students to decorate and enjoy!
New office in San Carlos!
The expansion of Generations United’s services and staff have afforded us the opportunity to move to a new office location. We are so thankful for our community partners, First Baptist Church of San Carlos, for the opportunity to have some much-needed office space. This community has supported our Sponsor-A-Family initiative and has generously donated to various efforts within our organization. You can find us here but our mailing address stays the same (PO Box)
We believe that this partnership will grant us the opportunity to reach more families and continue to engage many in the vision of forming a community with our neighbors. Thank you, Jerome & Dave! Stop by to say hello anytime! 787 Walnut St., San Carlos (parking lot on laurel across from Bianchini’s).
We have IMMEDIATE volunteer opportunities!
As we expand our engagement with children 1/1 or in small groups for our focus on learning and literacy through Redwood City Reads. We are seeking people to join us as children have missed critical learning and are in dire need of support to engage as they attempt to stay connected. We have various sites and times available and can even set up virtual sessions.
We continue to deliver food to families in need on Tuesdays from Peninsula Covenant Church in the parking lot. We now serve 140 families weekly and always in need of volunteers to prep food on Mondays and to help with sorting and delivery on Tuesday. We always accept food donations at our delivery location. Please click the link below for more information or to sign up.
The Emergency Fund and General Fund continue to provide financial support to our neighbors as they continue to be in great need as they recover from devastating losses in the wake of pandemic shutdowns and job loss. Your monthly and one-time contributions make an immediate and lasting impact in our community. Thank you!
2020 was unlike any other year any of us had experienced or expected. We remain committed to the important work ahead of us: to keep hard-working, immigrant families in our community and helping them to thrive!
Please use the “FULL SCREEN” (frame icon in the bottom right) option for best viewing
We are so grateful to each and every one of our loving neighbors.
Over 500 people were impacted this year with gifts, toys, clothing, and holiday meals.
This would not have been possible without the faithful support, tireless commitment, and loving dedication of our donors and volunteers.
Please watch the video below for highlights from our Holiday initiative: Sponsor-A-Family. Thank you for your support!
We have so many opportunities to spread joy to our neighbors in Redwood City! In person or from a distance, please see below for more information on how to sign up to Sponsor-A-Family.We have already matched more than 20 families with caring neighbors to receive a holiday blessing this year. Ongoing challenges and effects of the pandemic have brought even more hurdles during this season. See how you can be a part of spreading good cheer at the end of this unique year. In addition to shopping for gifts and making a financial contribution, you can also choose to provide a homemade holiday meal. Click the image below for details.
Holiday Blessings
Thank you to the generous volunteers at Menlo Church for making gift baskets to give away to families for Christmas! The baskets included ingredients for a sweet treat and Mexican hot chocolate, plus books for the kids! We love partnering with Serve Your City!
Academic Enrichment Centers
Students are able to have academic support while doing their distance learning at AECs. Volunteers and staff are there to provide guidance and additional help.
We are still in need of volunteers to help at our AEC at Connect Community Charter School (635 Oakside Ave., Redwood City). Can you come at one of the times listed below(1 hour blocks)?
“It’s very clear that there are so many needs in our community. My family and I desire to have a part in meeting some of those needs in a way that makes sense. Sharing our Thanksgiving meal traditions with a family was just a small way we could meet one of those needs. We wanted to partner with Generations United to support the multi-faceted way Angie and her team are caring for those most vulnerable among us. It was our joy to serve in that way and we welcome any future partnership with GU in whatever ways our community needs.”
Our annual match campaign is underway and we have already raised $25,000 to provide rent support, educational services, food, bill payments and more! Join us today as we bring lasting change to the communities that we serve! Click here to give a one-time gift or set up a recurring donation. Inquire with your employer about match giving opportunities!
We wish you and yours a happy and safe Thanksgiving.
Thank you Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Community Fund!
For the FOURTH year in a row, Generations United was selected as a recipient of the CZI Community Fund Grant. We are so thankful for this partnership which allows us to continue to offer support and assistance to our students and families. Link to CZI Grant Recipients
Welcome to the Team!
Julia Sanchez – Student Support Teacher
Julia is excited to join Generations United as a support teacher at Connect Community Charter School. She has previously worked as an educator in New York City with elementary and middle school students in public and charter school settings. She is also studying law at the UC Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco.
Keith Miller
Program Director – Kingdom Equity Partners
Keith joins us from Vancouver, WA with a broad background in business development, leadership, and entrepreneurism. He has joined us to partner and provide small businesses support in the challenging Covid19.
Keith is Dad to two adult daughters and recently married our Executive Director, Angie Ibarra Miller.
Give today to make a difference now! We rely on the support of caring individuals and organizations to do the important work of supporting these families every day. Click here to give a one-time gift or set up a recurring donation. Inquire with your employer about match giving opportunities!
We are always accepting donations of fresh food, dry goods/non-perishables, toiletries, and more at our office location: 2555 Middlefield Rd., Redwood City. For a list of items needed, see our Amazon Wish List or check the list on our website.
Many volunteers have come to help us distribute the supplies and food from World Vision. Please join us every Tuesday morning at PCC. For more information contact Cynthia Nava Cynthia@generations-united.com.
To date, we have given $85K to families in need by paying rent, utility, and additional bills. We have also purchased personal hygiene supplies, non-perishable food, and provided coins for laundromat services. Please continue to support our efforts as families affected by this pandemic are struggling to make ends meet daily.
Please join us in welcoming Mary Martinez to our staff as the Director of Programs! Mary has been a longtime partner of Generations United and has been on our Board for two years. Prior to joining us as a staff member, she has spent twenty years working in North Fair Oaks, most recently with the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Activity League. Click here to view her full bio. Mary will be supervising many day to day operations including tutoring sites, food distribution, events, and more. It is such a blessing to have her leadership on our team and we look forward to the great things that GU will accomplish with her help! You can reach her at mary@generations-united.com.
Jackson Mooney – Student Advisor
Jackson Mooney has been a part of our team as a volunteer and prayer partner for some time before hopping on board to work during our Summer STEAM Camp in July 2019 & 2020. He officially is the Student Advisor for our AECs, helping students with whatever support they need in their school work and distance learning.
Henry Villar – Board Member
Henry joins the board after 6 years of serving in a volunteer capacity, primarily with teaching TaeKwonDo to our students but also in our Redwood City Reads program. We are thankful to have someone with his dedication on our team.
Vera Quijano- Board Member
Vera Quijano is a native of Redwood City, having been raised by her immigrant parents and attending local schools. She has walked the road that many of our families have and serves as a leader within our community. An accomplished teacher, she is also a continual learner and we are blessed to have her.
With the evolution of our AECs, Benita has transitioned to a position on our Board of Directors. We are thrilled that our 30+ year relationship has found us continuing to care for children and families together!
We still need help distributing donations to families in need. Please click to watch a video from our ministry partners at Peninsula Covenant Church and see how you can get involved!
Give today to make a difference now! We rely on the support of caring individuals and organizations to do the important work of supporting these families every day. Click here to give a one-time gift or set up a recurring donation. Inquire with your employer about match giving opportunities!
We are always accepting donations of fresh food, dry goods/non-perishables, toiletries, and more at our office location: 2555 Middlefield Rd., Redwood City. For a list of items needed, see our Amazon Wish List or check the list on our website.
Our Summer Camp in the park was a success! Click the photos and see below for a little recap of what our days looked like. We limited the number of students per group and our staff took extra care to adhere to all safety and health protocols. We will continue STEAM CAMP in Mezes Park in the afternoons for 3 additional weeks in August. Be on the lookout for our announcements for the Fall offerings to continue teaching children. We will have one-on-one tutoring opportunities (while adhering to the Covid19 guidelines for safety).
Mondays: we became Math Detectives with Paige and Chris and identified the various ways we use math on a daily basis.
Tuesdays: we made colorful tie dye shirts, masks, and bandanas with Marilyn Lynch and learned boxing moves with Fabian of Melendez Boxing.
Wednesdays: Leon gave us an introduction on Robotics and how clear we need to be with instructions in order to make the robot move accordingly.
Thursdays: we explored the Tank and discovered its history. Jackson joined us later for an afternoon Bible study. We had fun in the sun with water balloon relays and racing down the tarp for our slip n’ slide.
We also made cute yarn llamas for arts and crafts provided by Heather, and finally ended our week with a pizza party!
You can make a difference in the lives of families right here in Redwood City in a number of ways. We need volunteers to read one on one with students! Many of the parents of students are unable to support literacy efforts with their children due to language barriers and work schedules. Just one hour a week can make a HUGE difference in the lives of these young ones. If you prefer a virtual or distanced option, you can deliver a food box, read a story on video chat, or helping us sort through donations. Visit our website to see how you can join our team.
Give today to make a difference now! We rely on the support of caring individuals and organizations to do the important work of supporting these families every day. Click here to give a one-time gift or set up a recurring donation. Inquire with your employer about match giving opportunities!
We are always accepting donations of fresh food, dry goods/non-perishables, toiletries, and more at our office location: 2555 Middlefield Rd., Redwood City. For a list of items needed, see our Amazon Wish List or check the list on our website.