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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.
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!
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.
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
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!
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.
Sign up here:
Sign Up Here
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.
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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.
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!
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
Julia Sanchez – Student Support TeacherJulia 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 MillerBe on the lookout for incredible stories as we partner with friends @ Connect Community Charter School, Street Life Ministries, Noah’s Bagels, and Peninsula Food Runners! You can help fill in the learning gaps in our most vulnerable community!
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.
Mary Martinez – Program DirectorPlease 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
Henry Villar – Board MemberHenry 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 MemberVera 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.
PCC/World Vision Partnership
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).
Be a good neighbor – Read with students!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.
