Kevin Amann

Operations Director

What do you do at Family Connections?

I help maintain the facility, infrastructure (phones, computers, etc.) and general operations of the agency. I also help back up the Finance, HR and Development departments. I work with the Directors Team as well on developing long-term strategy and policy.

What do you like about working here?

I like being the behind the scenes person that keeps the place ticking and the administrative and program staff working efficiently. I take pride working at a place that helps bring the community together.

What do you like to do with your family for fun?

We like to travel together, play music together and just hang out and watch movies together.

Paul Olsen

Development Director

What do you do at Family Connections?

My role is to raise awareness of the organization and what it does, ensure we have the resources to continue serving the community, and to build and sustain relationships of all kinds as Family Connections strengthens families and communities.

What do you like about working here?

Family Connections Centers does a tremendous job working with children and families interactively. We not only support the children, we provide knowledge and resources to parents and caregivers so that they have the tools they need to better support their children. Added to that is the incredible staff at Family Connections. It's more of a family than a team, with everyone working together to ensure we do everything we can to fulfill our mission.

What do you like to do with your family for fun?

We love to travel. It can be as simple as a drive to rural Marin to check out cheeses, or a cruise that touches on multiple ports in multiple countries, allowing us to get just a small idea of how other people live. Regardless of the destination, we have found that we have more in common with people than we have differences, and we need to better understand and respect those differences so we can build on the similarities.

Tam To

Finance Director

What do you do at Family Connections?

I am just here for fun. I also over the agency’s finances and work on budgets with staff.

What do you like about working here?

I love that staff is so decided to the mission to support kids, families and the community.

What do you like to do with your family for fun?

We like to play and cook together, especially with the kids.

Tina Tam

Education Director

What do you do at Family Connections?

I work with teachers to oversee and support the licensed preschool and school-aged programs. I work closely with the leadership team to support grants, partnerships, and the daily activities at the Portola center.

What do you like about working here?

I love that there is something new happening here every day. It brings me so much joy to see the children, caregivers, and teachers all working together, learning, and having a great time.

What do you like to do with your family for fun?

My family and I enjoy traveling to experience different cultures and trying different food.

Yensing Sihapanya

Executive Director

What do you do at Family Connections?

I work with an amazing team to oversee programs, finances, fundraising, operations, partnerships and the general running of the agency.

What do you like about working here?

I love talking to the kids, parents, grandparents, staff, and all the other great people that come to Family Connections. I learn something new every day here.

What do you like to do with your family for fun?

My family and I love to hike and camp. We are lucky to live near so many great forests in the Bay Area.

Je'Meshia Wade

Communications Associate

What do you do at Family Connections?

I am the Communications Associate. It is my job to create and maintain external communication strategies to increase visibility of our organization to our participants, community and general public. All of this will be done through work on updating the website, creating captivating social media content, newsletters and other outreach strategies our communications team develops along the way.

What do you like about working here?

I like that from day one everyone has been supportive and welcoming. In addition, I am passionate about youth programming and Family Connections Center provides programs for not just children to be successful but for the entire family unit to thrive.

What do you like to do with your family for fun?

My family & I enjoy cooking, dancing and playing with our pets.

Lupe Alvarez

Admission Coordinator

What do you do at Family Connections?

I provide administrative and financial support for our programs. as a bilingual speaker, I have the ability to support our Spanish speaking families. I also have the privilege to help in our community events.

What do you like about working here?

I love having the capability to assist families with our numerous programs, being able to witness Families grow and seeing a smile on their face, brings me joy. I also love working with an amazing team of staff.

What do you like to do with your family for fun?

I love to spend my time with my family. I especially enjoy, traveling and discovering new places to eat.

Stephanie Lee

Custodian

What do you do at Family Connections?

I am the custodian at Portola Center. I work closely with staff and programs to maintain spaces clean so it is safe and ready for the kids and families each day.

What do you like about working here?

It's amazing to be able to work where my kids have all learned and grew at some point in their childhood! There's always endless support in this heartwarming community.

What do you like to do with your family for fun?

I love to take my dog on walks with my family and exploring new places. I also love going back home to visit Taiwan with the rest of my family as well!

Betty Huang

Teacher

What do you do at Family Connections?

I am a teacher in the Saturday Chinese School program.

What do you like about working here?

I enjoy teaching children different things and feel grateful to work in a supportive team.

What do you like to do with your family for fun?

I enjoy cooking and feel happy when I share my homemade dishes with family and friends.

Christal Huang

Teacher

What do you do at Family Connections?

I teach in the Saturday Chinese School program.

What do you like about working here?

I enjoying teaching the children not only the Chinese language but also the Chinese culture.

What do you like to do with your family for fun?

I enjoy traveling and trying different food with my family.

Elsa Wan

Teacher

What do you do at Family Connections?

I have the pleasure of teaching infants and toddlers in the CPDI program.

What do you like about working here?

I love to play with the children and see their growth in development through time.

What do you like to do with your family for fun?

We enjoy trips to different amusement parks. One of our favorite places to go is Disneyland. We also love trying different foods.We enjoy trips to different amusement parks. One of our favorite places to go is Disneyland. We also love trying different foods.

Gina Mendicino

Early Childhood Specialist

What do you do at Family Connections?

I have worked at Family Connections for the past 21 years. I am currently working in the Next Steps program.

What do you like about working here?

I really enjoy working closely with the children and their families, watching them learn and grow.

What do you like to do with your family for fun?

On my time off I enjoy taking walks, playing with my dogs, being a Girl Scout leader, and especially spending time with my family.

Jessica Zatarain

Teacher

What do you do at Family Connections?

I work as a teacher for the morning program first steps and Homework Club.

What do you like about working here?

I like working at Family Connections because it has helped me expand my knowledge on Child Development.

What do you like to do with your family for fun?

We like to go on hikes!

Julyann Fu

Teacher

What do you do at Family Connections?

I am an educational instructor in early childhood from age 0-12 years old, helping them build up their social, emotional, language, and body development.

What do you like about working here?

I enjoy working with the kids and the families because I can see them grow better and strong. I have been working with CPDI and HWC children and families for more than 22 years.

Katryna Shek

Lead Teacher

What do you do at Family Connections?

I get to work playing with children ages 3-5 years old teaching them how to share, build their independence skills, and get them ready for kindergarten.

What do you like about working here?

I love working with the children, families and staff. I like that we can provide so many resources to all the families.

What do you like to do with your family for fun?

We like to take trips and go shopping at Target.

Krista Alvarez

Teacher

What do you do at Family Connections?

I am the 2nd and 3rd grade lead teacher for Homework Club and the Summer Academic Enrichment program. I occasionally have the privilege of working with infants and toddlers.

What do you like about working here?

As a prior SAE student I love how I can bring a different perspective into the program as a lead teacher. Portola Family Connections provided me the opportunity to share a creative atmosphere for the children.

What do you like to do with your family for fun?

What I enjoy most is traveling and spending quality time with my family.

Madeleine Sebastien

Early Childhood Program Manager

What do you do at Family Connections?

As the Early Childhood Program Manager, I oversee the First Steps, Next Steps and Preschool programs at the Excelsior site. I help fellow educators plan, create and implement exciting and developmentally-appropriate curriculum for all programs. Through this, I am able to ensure each child and their family learns something new everyday.

What do you like about working here?

It brings me great joy to allow children to reach their greatest potential by setting them up for success through my programs. I am a firm believer that every child has unique and innate talents, so it is amazing to watch children develop through the joys of learning. The families that Family Connections serves are inspiring, kind-hearted individuals.

What do you like to do with your family for fun?

When not at work, I enjoy traveling to my hometown of Mill Valley to go on hikes or beach outings. I also thoroughly enjoy attending art/food festivals around the city.

Samantha Vaing

Teacher

What do you do at Family Connections?

I have the pleasure of teaching a wide range of students, from infants to fifth graders.

What do you like about working here?

I have always been family oriented and I can really appreciate working in an environment that is the true embodiment of a family dynamic.

What do you like to do with your family for fun?

My family enjoy having get togethers, whether it is bbqing, watching a sports game or family game night. We also take annual summer camping trips.

Sherry Xie

Teacher

What do you do at Family Connections?

I teach in the Saturday Chinese School program.

What do you like about working here?

I enjoy spending time teaching the children. Their smiles bring me happiness.

What do you like to do with your family for fun?

During my free time, I enjoy hiking with my family and friends. I love nature and flowers.

Teresa Palomares-Gray

Teacher

What do you do at Family Connections?

I am the Pre-K Teacher. I support the Lead Teacher in the classroom. I teach children ages 3-5 years old and prepare them for kindergarten and also support their families.

What do you like about working here?

I like how everyone at Family Connections supports one another, the families and the children by providing services to have a healthy life-style.

What do you like to do with your family for fun?

My family and I like to spend time together eating, shopping, going to the park and reading books.

Yadira Ortega

Teacher

What do you do at Family Connections?

I work in the First Steps, Next Steps, Latino support group, case management and Parent Advisory Board programs.

What do you like about working here?

Something that I really like about working here is that I have the opportunity to help the families to connect with resources in the city for their family.

What do you like to do with your family for fun?

We enjoy family time by playing board games, watch soccer games together and make barbecue in the backyard.

Ally Duong

Family Support Coordinator

What do you do at Family Connections?

I plan, implement, and facilitate workshops, support group, community events and other family support programs. I also provide customer service at the front office for families who speak Cantonese and Vietnamese.

What do you like about working here?

I like to work with parents and children and see how they grow together.

What do you like to do with your family for fun?

We like to cook and do gardening in our free time.

Eleazar Matinez

Family Support Manager

What do you do at Family Connections?

I am the Family Support Manager, my role is to manage, implement and supervise the family support programs which includes workshops, support groups, community events, outreach and parent volunteers.

What do you like about working here?

I like working at family connections centers because I enjoy the work that is being done with families in the community.

What do you like to do with your family for fun?

I enjoy spending quality time with my family and going on random adventures.

Joyce Zhu

Family Support Coordinator

What do you do at Family Connections?

I schedule fun and engaging activities for the families who come to our center. Additionally, I am able to provide a safe space for families to talk with me about their troubles and what we can do to assist them.

What do you like about working here?

The best thing about my job is being able to work with so many different families and seeing their face light up because they see that their ideas are being considered and planned. I also enjoy seeing the adults and children partake in exciting activities that will be memorable to their children for years to come. Last but not least, I love working with such a dedicated and supportive team at Excelsior Family Connections.

What do you like to do with your family for fun?

On my free time, I like to go on hikes and search for waterfalls with my family. We usually only find a trickling brook but that's okay too.

Stephanie Mendez

Family Support Coordinator

What do you do at Family Connections?

As the Program Coordinator, I provide administrative and financial support for programs of our Excelsior center. I also assist with everything that helps our programs, workshops, and support groups run smoothly, so that our families may have a fulfilling and insightful experience. As a bilingual speaker, I am also able to support our Spanish speaking families so that they may feel understood and heard.

What do you like about working here?

I love working here because it is immensely satisfying on an everyday basis to know that I am playing my part in supporting the community. I love to make families feel empowered, knowledgeable, and help provide them with an abundance of resources and support. Seeing the caregivers’ face light up with happiness when I bring new information to their attention is my favorite part.

What do you like to do with your family for fun?

My family and I enjoy spending quality time together via the arts, dancing, swimming, outings, and watching films.