About Us > Leadership
Maryann Fleming, Executive Director
The founding and current Executive Director of Family Connections, Maryann Fleming, has been involved in nonprofit organizations since 1984. For eight years prior to the start of Family Connections, Maryann was program director for a drug prevention partnership with the San Francisco Unified School District and the San Francisco Police Department, in which parents were taught how to prevent substance abuse and other problems. Maryann was involved with the Healthy Start Collaborative at E. R. Taylor Elementary School in 1992 when discussions began to focus on family support. The Healthy Start school staff was very effective helping children succeed at school, but it was felt by all that the work could be enhanced by more parent involvement. Maryann participated in writing the successful Office of Child Abuse Prevention grant that served as the original seed money that funded Family Connections. In 1993, Maryann was selected as the first employee and Executive Director of Family Connections. Maryann has strong beliefs in the concepts that formed Family Connections: resiliency, empowerment, and participant-driven services. She has been able to actualize some of these ideals in her work at the center and is proud of Family Connections growth and success. She attributes this success to a tenacious temperament and to the many talented people that have made significant contributions to the center over the years.
The founding and current Executive Director of Family Connections, Maryann Fleming, has been involved in nonprofit organizations since 1984. For eight years prior to the start of Family Connections, Maryann was program director for a drug prevention partnership with the San Francisco Unified School District and the San Francisco Police Department, in which parents were taught how to prevent substance abuse and other problems. Maryann was involved with the Healthy Start Collaborative at E. R. Taylor Elementary School in 1992 when discussions began to focus on family support. The Healthy Start school staff was very effective helping children succeed at school, but it was felt by all that the work could be enhanced by more parent involvement. Maryann participated in writing the successful Office of Child Abuse Prevention grant that served as the original seed money that funded Family Connections. In 1993, Maryann was selected as the first employee and Executive Director of Family Connections. Maryann has strong beliefs in the concepts that formed Family Connections: resiliency, empowerment, and participant-driven services. She has been able to actualize some of these ideals in her work at the center and is proud of Family Connections growth and success. She attributes this success to a tenacious temperament and to the many talented people that have made significant contributions to the center over the years.
Portola Family Connections’ Administration Staff:
Lupe Alvarez, Admissions Coordinator
Lupe has been an employee of Family Connections since the summer of 2000. Lupe Alvarez welcomes families, provides current information and refers them to appropriate programs. She is responsible for the administration of the Pre-Kindergarten program, Homework Club and Summer Enrichment Program, as well supervising Chinese Saturday School Program. She completes enrollment for all programs and manages the admission documentation for all Family Connections programs. The Portola Community parties are also hosted and organized by Lupe Alvarez. Lupe is a native of San Francisco. She enjoys spending time with her family. She dedicates her time to work and to her wonderful family.
Lupe has been an employee of Family Connections since the summer of 2000. Lupe Alvarez welcomes families, provides current information and refers them to appropriate programs. She is responsible for the administration of the Pre-Kindergarten program, Homework Club and Summer Enrichment Program, as well supervising Chinese Saturday School Program. She completes enrollment for all programs and manages the admission documentation for all Family Connections programs. The Portola Community parties are also hosted and organized by Lupe Alvarez. Lupe is a native of San Francisco. She enjoys spending time with her family. She dedicates her time to work and to her wonderful family.
Kevin Amann, Operations Manager
Operations Manager, Kevin Amann provides support to the programs housed at Portola and Excelsior Family Connections, oversight of the facilities and also directly assists the Executive Director. Kevin has an extensive non-profit experience in Office/Operations Management and IT, HR and Accounting support. Kevin participates in budgeting process and monitors administrative expenses, develops and implements an annual work plan, making sure that timelines for goals are met, and supervises IT, Handyman and Janitor; and coordinates with contractors and vendors. Kevin has a Bachelors degree in Geography.
Operations Manager, Kevin Amann provides support to the programs housed at Portola and Excelsior Family Connections, oversight of the facilities and also directly assists the Executive Director. Kevin has an extensive non-profit experience in Office/Operations Management and IT, HR and Accounting support. Kevin participates in budgeting process and monitors administrative expenses, develops and implements an annual work plan, making sure that timelines for goals are met, and supervises IT, Handyman and Janitor; and coordinates with contractors and vendors. Kevin has a Bachelors degree in Geography.
Jenny Sargent, Development & Grants Manager
Development & Grants Manager, Jenny Sargent coordinates all aspects of fundraising at Family Connections with a concentration on private foundation and corporate grants, government grants and individual donations. She has a passion for community organizing and grassroots fundraising that began with her work as Development Director for a small community orchestra on California’s central coast. In her prior position with the San Luis Obispo Symphony Jenny gained extensive experience in donor cultivation, fundraising event management, volunteer coordination and community advocacy for community-based non-profits. The position with Family Connections offered Jenny an opportunity to return to the Bay Area where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics from the U.C. Berkeley.
Development & Grants Manager, Jenny Sargent coordinates all aspects of fundraising at Family Connections with a concentration on private foundation and corporate grants, government grants and individual donations. She has a passion for community organizing and grassroots fundraising that began with her work as Development Director for a small community orchestra on California’s central coast. In her prior position with the San Luis Obispo Symphony Jenny gained extensive experience in donor cultivation, fundraising event management, volunteer coordination and community advocacy for community-based non-profits. The position with Family Connections offered Jenny an opportunity to return to the Bay Area where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics from the U.C. Berkeley.
Portola Family Connections’ Program Staff:
Julyann Fu, Homework Club Teacher; CPDI, Next Steps and Pre K substitute teacher
Julyann Fu is originally from Taiwan. She has been in The Golden State for more than 30 years. She likes San Francisco’s people and weather. Family Connections feels like another home to her, since she has been working at the center for more than 12 years! She enjoys her daily life here with the wonderful children, families and staff. She hopes to continue serving the Portola Community as long as she can.
Julyann Fu is originally from Taiwan. She has been in The Golden State for more than 30 years. She likes San Francisco’s people and weather. Family Connections feels like another home to her, since she has been working at the center for more than 12 years! She enjoys her daily life here with the wonderful children, families and staff. She hopes to continue serving the Portola Community as long as she can.
Kristy Gamayo, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Family Support Director
Family Support Director, Kristy Gamayo holds a Master’s degree in Social-Clinical psychology and a license as a Marriage and Family Therapist. Kristy has worked in the community mental health and non-profit settings since 1997. She provides direct supervision, training, and support to the staff in our early childhood and school age programs. Kristy coordinates weekly meetings to discuss developmental theory, interventions, program design, and implementation. She also works with participating parents in coordinating and facilitating parent support workshops to assist them with separation, school readiness, discipline, and understanding their child’s development. Kristy maintains an average caseload of ten individual and family therapy clients per week, conducts on-going clinical assessments of children and families needs, collaborates with outside providers for coordination of clients care, refers families for additional services, and provides Case Management as needed. She is currently a Lifetime Clinical Member of the California Association for Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT), a professional association involved in the advancement of marriage and family therapy as an art, a science, and a mental health profession.
Family Support Director, Kristy Gamayo holds a Master’s degree in Social-Clinical psychology and a license as a Marriage and Family Therapist. Kristy has worked in the community mental health and non-profit settings since 1997. She provides direct supervision, training, and support to the staff in our early childhood and school age programs. Kristy coordinates weekly meetings to discuss developmental theory, interventions, program design, and implementation. She also works with participating parents in coordinating and facilitating parent support workshops to assist them with separation, school readiness, discipline, and understanding their child’s development. Kristy maintains an average caseload of ten individual and family therapy clients per week, conducts on-going clinical assessments of children and families needs, collaborates with outside providers for coordination of clients care, refers families for additional services, and provides Case Management as needed. She is currently a Lifetime Clinical Member of the California Association for Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT), a professional association involved in the advancement of marriage and family therapy as an art, a science, and a mental health profession.
Martha Gonzalez, Teacher Assistant
Martha has worked in Family Connections since January 2003. She works with children from ages 0 months to 3 three years in the Children Parent Drop-In (CPDI) program. She loves working with children; it makes her feel happy to see how children and parents enjoy the program. Martha was born in Mexico and then moved to the United States when she got married in 1987. She lived in the Portola District in San Francisco for 15 years. She then moved to San Bruno City, where she currently resides.
Martha has worked in Family Connections since January 2003. She works with children from ages 0 months to 3 three years in the Children Parent Drop-In (CPDI) program. She loves working with children; it makes her feel happy to see how children and parents enjoy the program. Martha was born in Mexico and then moved to the United States when she got married in 1987. She lived in the Portola District in San Francisco for 15 years. She then moved to San Bruno City, where she currently resides.
Jeryl Lynn Irvine, Homework Club and Summer Academic Enrichment Teacher
Jeryl, or Ms. Jeri as she is known to the kids at Family Connections, was born into an Army family at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. She grew up with two sisters and two brothers; she is the youngest girl and fourth child. For the majority of her life, she has lived in California. She has also lived in Texas and Germany. In addition to Family Connections, Jeryl works for the San Francisco Unified School District as a Special Education classroom paraprofessional.
Jeryl, or Ms. Jeri as she is known to the kids at Family Connections, was born into an Army family at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. She grew up with two sisters and two brothers; she is the youngest girl and fourth child. For the majority of her life, she has lived in California. She has also lived in Texas and Germany. In addition to Family Connections, Jeryl works for the San Francisco Unified School District as a Special Education classroom paraprofessional.
Frances Jung, Teacher Assistant
Frances has been at Family Connections 2003. Her background in childcare includes working for the San Francisco Unified School District’s Placement center, 10 years for the schools as a member of school site council committees and PTSA, part time babysitter at the community-based English Tutoring program since 2003. Frances is a member of Coleman Parent Advocates for Youth since 2002. Before she began a career in childcare, she worked at Bank of America doing credits and debits for 2 years, and at Fuller Paints, doing invoicing for 14 years. Her position at Family Connections is the culmination of all of her hard work in her life experience. Frances strongly believes, “ALL OF THE CHILDREN ARE TOMORROW’S FUTURE.”
Frances has been at Family Connections 2003. Her background in childcare includes working for the San Francisco Unified School District’s Placement center, 10 years for the schools as a member of school site council committees and PTSA, part time babysitter at the community-based English Tutoring program since 2003. Frances is a member of Coleman Parent Advocates for Youth since 2002. Before she began a career in childcare, she worked at Bank of America doing credits and debits for 2 years, and at Fuller Paints, doing invoicing for 14 years. Her position at Family Connections is the culmination of all of her hard work in her life experience. Frances strongly believes, “ALL OF THE CHILDREN ARE TOMORROW’S FUTURE.”
Mimi Ly, Outreach Worker
Mimi Ly has been involved with our Center since 1994. She is a mother of two lovely children and a local community leader. She enjoys working with families, especially new immigrants, in helping them to adjust and adapt to their new environment. She is also passionate about helping people to become financially independent. Mimi enjoys grocery shopping/ collecting grocery coupons, and her hobbies are walking, traveling, and listening to music. She is a big basketball fan, and enjoys spending quality time with friends and family.
Mimi Ly has been involved with our Center since 1994. She is a mother of two lovely children and a local community leader. She enjoys working with families, especially new immigrants, in helping them to adjust and adapt to their new environment. She is also passionate about helping people to become financially independent. Mimi enjoys grocery shopping/ collecting grocery coupons, and her hobbies are walking, traveling, and listening to music. She is a big basketball fan, and enjoys spending quality time with friends and family.
Gina Mendicino, MFT, Child Development Specialist
Next Steps Lead Teacher, Gina Mendicino holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and a License as a Marriage and Family Therapist. She has worked at Family Connections since 1997 as the former Licensed Family Therapist and former Program Manager of our Next Steps and Child-Parent Drop-In programs. As the Lead Teacher, Gina develops a thematic and literacy based curriculum in Next Steps that prepares children for Preschool and beyond. She, along with the Next Steps Teacher, runs the therapeutically based program that helps guide parents/caregivers towards healthy attachment and separation with their children, and encourages positive parenting. Gina is a Clinical Member of the California Association for Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT), a professional association involved in the advancement of marriage and family therapy as an art, a science, and a mental health profession.
Next Steps Lead Teacher, Gina Mendicino holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and a License as a Marriage and Family Therapist. She has worked at Family Connections since 1997 as the former Licensed Family Therapist and former Program Manager of our Next Steps and Child-Parent Drop-In programs. As the Lead Teacher, Gina develops a thematic and literacy based curriculum in Next Steps that prepares children for Preschool and beyond. She, along with the Next Steps Teacher, runs the therapeutically based program that helps guide parents/caregivers towards healthy attachment and separation with their children, and encourages positive parenting. Gina is a Clinical Member of the California Association for Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT), a professional association involved in the advancement of marriage and family therapy as an art, a science, and a mental health profession.
Bee Moua, Learning Program Coordinator
Bee Moua has been in the child development field for over 9 years working with children ranging from birth to 13 years of age. In her 9 years of being in the field, she has acquired many years of classroom teaching and administrative managerial experiences in working with children, their families and the public community. In addition to her experience in the field, she holds a B.A. in Child Development and is working on completing her M.A. in Education with an emphasis on ECE (Early Childhood Education) from San Francisco State University.
Bee Moua has been in the child development field for over 9 years working with children ranging from birth to 13 years of age. In her 9 years of being in the field, she has acquired many years of classroom teaching and administrative managerial experiences in working with children, their families and the public community. In addition to her experience in the field, she holds a B.A. in Child Development and is working on completing her M.A. in Education with an emphasis on ECE (Early Childhood Education) from San Francisco State University.
Leslie Pang, Teacher/Assistant Site Supervisor
Next Steps Teacher, Leslie Pang holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and minors in Applied Developmental Psychology and Southeast Asian Studies. Her background includes working with infants, toddlers, and teaching high school students since 2007. Leslie, along with the Next Steps Lead Teacher, runs the therapeutically based program that helps guide parents/caregivers towards healthy attachment and separation with their children, and encourages positive parenting. Leslie is a member of the Association for Psychological Science (APS), a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of scientific psychology and its representation at the national and international level.
Next Steps Teacher, Leslie Pang holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and minors in Applied Developmental Psychology and Southeast Asian Studies. Her background includes working with infants, toddlers, and teaching high school students since 2007. Leslie, along with the Next Steps Lead Teacher, runs the therapeutically based program that helps guide parents/caregivers towards healthy attachment and separation with their children, and encourages positive parenting. Leslie is a member of the Association for Psychological Science (APS), a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of scientific psychology and its representation at the national and international level.
Erin Peterson, CPDI Lead Teacher/Homework Club Teacher,
CPDI Lead Teacher and Homework Club Teacher, Erin Peterson has been a San Francisco resident since 2000 and graduated from the University of San Francisco with a BA in Sociology. She comes from a large family and has always embraced the opportunity to surround herself with babies, toddlers, and children of all ages whenever possible. Many have said she is a “natural” with the little ones. She has over a decade of experience working with babies, toddlers, children, and their families, either in the home or school setting. She strongly promotes empowering families versus enabling them, and looks forward to supporting these families as they flourish.
CPDI Lead Teacher and Homework Club Teacher, Erin Peterson has been a San Francisco resident since 2000 and graduated from the University of San Francisco with a BA in Sociology. She comes from a large family and has always embraced the opportunity to surround herself with babies, toddlers, and children of all ages whenever possible. Many have said she is a “natural” with the little ones. She has over a decade of experience working with babies, toddlers, children, and their families, either in the home or school setting. She strongly promotes empowering families versus enabling them, and looks forward to supporting these families as they flourish.
Erica Rendon, Family Support Manager
Family Support Manager, Erica Rendon holds a Bachelor’s degree in Raza Studies, with a concentration in Social and Behavioral Science. Erica joined Family Connections in June 2005 as the School Readiness Coordinator at the Excelsior Branch. In 2008 she became the Director of the Excelsior Program, serving in that role until February 2010 when she transferred to the Portola site. Currently she is the Family Support Manager, providing Case Management and Enhanced Visitation services assisting families to move toward stability and self-sufficiency. She also facilitates the Mamas Latinas Support Group and coordinates monthly events associated with our early childhood programs. Erica has worked with diverse, low-income children and their families since 2003 and she is a native San Franciscan, bilingual in Spanish and English.
Family Support Manager, Erica Rendon holds a Bachelor’s degree in Raza Studies, with a concentration in Social and Behavioral Science. Erica joined Family Connections in June 2005 as the School Readiness Coordinator at the Excelsior Branch. In 2008 she became the Director of the Excelsior Program, serving in that role until February 2010 when she transferred to the Portola site. Currently she is the Family Support Manager, providing Case Management and Enhanced Visitation services assisting families to move toward stability and self-sufficiency. She also facilitates the Mamas Latinas Support Group and coordinates monthly events associated with our early childhood programs. Erica has worked with diverse, low-income children and their families since 2003 and she is a native San Franciscan, bilingual in Spanish and English.
Katryna Shek, Lead Pre-K Teacher
Katryna Shek graduated from Cal State Long Beach with a BA in Child Development and Family Studies. She loves being around children and has been volunteering and working with children since she was 13 years old. She has been working at Family Connections as the Lead Pre-K Teacher since 2003. She enjoys working with the students and families to prepare them for kindergarten. Katryna has a daughter and enjoys spending time with her when she’s not working.
Katryna Shek graduated from Cal State Long Beach with a BA in Child Development and Family Studies. She loves being around children and has been volunteering and working with children since she was 13 years old. She has been working at Family Connections as the Lead Pre-K Teacher since 2003. She enjoys working with the students and families to prepare them for kindergarten. Katryna has a daughter and enjoys spending time with her when she’s not working.
Tina Tam, Education Director
Education Director, Tina Tam holds a Master’s degree in counseling psychology. She is a native of San Francisco and is bilingual in Cantonese and English. Her background includes teaching toddlers, providing counseling and managing programs for newcomer children and families. She provides supervision and support to the Learning Program coordinators, Admissions, and Healthy Connection staff. She works closely with the staff to promote collaboration, open communication, creative problem solving, and professional development. Working closely with the Executive Director, she set goals for the programs, develops, and implement annual work plans. She ensures that programs are provided in compliance with grants, contracts, licensing, and agency standards. She monitors existing programs and services to assess continued effectiveness and value to the community. In addition, she provides leadership in developing new programs, after establishing community need and fiscal feasibility; and providing direction in development and implementation of the new programs and procedures. .
Education Director, Tina Tam holds a Master’s degree in counseling psychology. She is a native of San Francisco and is bilingual in Cantonese and English. Her background includes teaching toddlers, providing counseling and managing programs for newcomer children and families. She provides supervision and support to the Learning Program coordinators, Admissions, and Healthy Connection staff. She works closely with the staff to promote collaboration, open communication, creative problem solving, and professional development. Working closely with the Executive Director, she set goals for the programs, develops, and implement annual work plans. She ensures that programs are provided in compliance with grants, contracts, licensing, and agency standards. She monitors existing programs and services to assess continued effectiveness and value to the community. In addition, she provides leadership in developing new programs, after establishing community need and fiscal feasibility; and providing direction in development and implementation of the new programs and procedures. .
Celia Yu, Pre-K Teacher
Celia has been working with Family Connections since 2008. She speaks English, Cantonese and Mandarin fluently. She loves working with children and their families. Celia holds a BA in Child and Adolescent Development with a minor in Special Education. Her background includes volunteering, internships, and several teaching experiences. Celia enjoys spending time with children and families; she even devotes her own time to teach Saturday language school and Sunday school.
Celia has been working with Family Connections since 2008. She speaks English, Cantonese and Mandarin fluently. She loves working with children and their families. Celia holds a BA in Child and Adolescent Development with a minor in Special Education. Her background includes volunteering, internships, and several teaching experiences. Celia enjoys spending time with children and families; she even devotes her own time to teach Saturday language school and Sunday school.