Administrative
Yensing Sihapanya
Executive Director
Yensing is a native San Franciscan with extensive experience in and passion for family support, social justice, and community organizing. Prior to joining Family Connections Centers in 2012, she directed a residential shelter and programs for homeless families, oversaw programs providing educational services to incarcerated youths, and was the Deputy Director of an organization promoting the rights and well-being of LGBTQ families. Yensing is active on community and service agencies’ Boards and Committees including Co-chairing the San Francisco Family Resource Center Alliance, Chairing the San Francisco Child Care Planning & Advisory Council (CPAC), serving on the SFMTA Citizen Advisory Committee, and more.
“I work with an amazing team to oversee the strategic vision, programs, finances, fundraising, operations, partnerships, and the general running of the agency. I’m also really good at holding babies in our Tummy Time playgroup and decorating cookies at our community holiday party. My favorite part of my role is that I get to work with smart, dedicated, kind staff, Board, partners, and families. There is such shared tangible passion and work to ensure Family Connections offers high-quality, welcoming centers and programs that are responsive to the communities’ needs and accessible regardless of income, status, etc. I also enjoy working to develop a progressive, sustainable, strength-based model and environment for the staff, agency, and field.”
“When I’m not walking around the centers or at my computer, I’m probably hiking and pitching a tent in the mountains and forests. I’m also a frequent visitor at San Francisco’s many delicious neighborhood restaurants.”
“I love so many children’s books! I can sometimes be found in our lobbies reading children’s books during my lunch. I have a special place in my heart for the George and Martha series by James Marshall. These funny short stories (read one or ten in a seating) show that good friendships are so fun, sometimes hard and filled with silly misunderstandings, require communication and care for each other, and above all, are absolutely wonderful and make life better.”
Kevin Amann
Operations Director
Kevin grew up and attended college in Western New York. He fell in love with San Francisco during a family trip in his early teens. When he graduated college, he knew where he had to be. Kevin started his Bay Area work life in the restaurant business as a cook at the Cliff House restaurant but really longed for a job with more meaning. Eventually he landed in the field of In-Home Supportive Services, where he served that community for several years. In 2010, Kevin joined Family Connections, managing the agency’s multiple facilities, IT and admin systems. Kevin, having two small children at home, knew the challenges that San Francisco families faced and enjoy the work Family Connections does for children and families.
“In my role as Operations Director, I oversee maintaining and renovating the facilities, IT, administrative practices, health and safety practices, and other duties. I love being a member of the leadership team and the progressive culture that we have. Family Connections is an agency that is always moving forward, pushing to be better, and I really like playing a key role in propelling that engine.”
“Outside work, I am a musician and songwriter. I spend basically every hour outside of work with either my family or writing music or playing live with my band. I have written or co-written several albums and have played in most of the venues around the bay area and toured the west coast extensively.”
“My favorite children’s book is Becoming Me by Martin Boroson. I remember reading it to my daughter one evening and it really struck me. It’s very spiritual.”
Hannah Hanssens-Reed
Communications and Development Director
Hannah was born and raised in Philadelphia. She spent the early years of her career in Spain, teaching high school English and evening language classes for adults. Following her time in Spain, she taught English and visual arts programs in South America and Australia, before returning to school for her Master of Education. In her years working in schools and nonprofits, she has designed and led literacy education, taught farm and garden education, and overseen the outreach and partnerships for community-based arts programs. She currently serves as the Treasurer of the Portola Neighborhood Association. Hannah is passionate about creating inclusive and equitable learning spaces, ensuring children and families have access to essential resources, and deepening the support and partnerships between individuals and organizations in the Bay Area.
“My role with Family Connections is to celebrate the incredible work that happens in our centers and to help new families connect with the resources that we provide through marketing and design, written and visual communications, and outreach to neighbors and funders. I work to grow our partnerships and strengthen our community relationships in order to increase the visibility of and funding for FCC’s programs and services. I love supporting the Family Connections team to highlight upcoming events and workshops and share the stories from inside our classrooms and support groups. My favorite part of this role is working with our crew of teachers, family support coordinators, and administrative staff that are dedicated to meeting the needs of our community and ensuring our programs evolve and adapt to best support families.”
“Outside of work, I love activities that allow me to get messy with clay, paint, dough, or dirt. I enjoy spending my weekends venturing on hiking and backpacking trips or traveling somewhere new. I have an excessive collection of house plants, and you can usually find me sampling another Bay Area bakery, trying to catch a sunset from one of SF’s beautiful hills, or sitting at a pottery wheel.”