Richard Washington has a Degree in Studio Art History from California State University Hayward. Mr. Washington has been with the Clubs for over 15 years. Prior to his current position, he was Academic Director at Menlo Park and has several years experience as a counselor and teacher.

A graduate from Heald College, School of Business, Gladys received her AAS Degree in Computer Business Administration and Business Accounting, she also is a Notary Public. Gladys worked in public accounting for nearly 10 years and joined The Boys & Girls Club of the Peninsula – Menlo Park in March, 2007. Gladys spends leisure time with her family and takes annual trips to her hometown on the island of Oahu.

Beatriz Espinoza was born in Los Angeles, California but raised in the bay area.  She was a student at Woodside High School.  Beatriz has three daughters ages 10, 8, and 5.  Before joining the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Peninsula team she worked at Costaño Elementary School as a tutor helping students with their homework. She enjoys working with kids, loves spending time with her three girls, reading, writing, and walks in the park.

Before joining us Wendy was a Teacher/Educational Consultant for North South Intercultural Exchange for Holistic Development (NSIEHDO) where she created and taught curriculum in cultural responsiveness educating youth about appreciating diverse cultures in the U.S. and abroad.  She also was an intern for Education.com where she consolidated information for parents on "whole child" education; and has tutored high school students and an Autistic student at Menlo-Atherton.   Wendy has her B. A. in American Multicultural Studies from Sonoma State and is bilingual.

A 2005 graduate from Sequoia High School. Darlene currently attend s Foothill College and plans to transfer to San Jose State where she want s her B.A. in Criminal Justice. She really loves shoes, make-up, purses, kids and her dog Bella-Honey. Darlene also likes to play soccer and volleyball and really hate spiders and reptiles.

Elliott received his degree from Oregon Institute of Technology.  A four year all academic selection as well as all American Basketball player.  Elliott has been a part of the Boys and Girls club since Feb of 08.  In athletics, participation and sportsmanship are a staple in the gym.

Maribel Guzman has been with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula since September 2000. She is the Social Education Director for the McNeil Family Clubhouse in Menlo Park. Maribel has lived in the Belle Haven community since 1991 and was a club member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula from 1991-1995. She is a graduate of University of California Riverside where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics.

Renee graduated from The University of Oregon in 2005 with a degree in Family and Human Services. This program included building a foundation through course work and field experiences in learning and development, professional communication and collaboration, social policy for children and families, and creative approaches to solving problems and making effective decisions. The program also focuse d in specialized areas important to working with the growing diversity of families, individuals, and human service agencies. Renee's internships included working with girls in Residential Treatment, and working for a Mentoring Agency, pairing youth with incarcerated parents with a mentor in their community.

Renee loves the Bay Area, especially the Peninsula, and loves the rest of Cali fornia , including trips to San Francisco, the beach in Santa Cruz, going to Lake Tahoe, San Diego, San Francisco, Disneyland, Lassen, and everywhere else you can imagine. She is excited to have an opportunity to be working with the Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula                 and looks forward to using her background experience and learning from new experiences, too!

Gerald started his DJing career in 1998 but fell in love with the hip hop culture in the early 1980's. He learned how to produce and master mix music around the year 2000, learning from the masterminds of 17hertz Music Studios where he had the opportunity to meet a lot of the Bay Area Hyphy Movement ball players such as the Whole Sik Wit It Records Camp, The Hoodstars, Balance The Emcee, Big Rich and others. Since 1998 Gerald had the great opportunity to be one of the original Online Radio station DJ's. From 2004-2006 he was part of Spinatiks Online Radio where he was a Sound Engineer, DJ and Radio Personality.

Gerald also has a talent for Martial Arts. He is a 3 rd Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and has been involved in Martial Arts since the age of 4, learning from his Father and other relatives. He was classically trained with Master Ernie Reyes Sr. (Tae Kwon Do), Frank Shamrock (Mix Martial Arts & Wrestling), Master Max Pallens (Filipino Martial Arts), Javier Mendez (American Kickboxing & Boxing), The Fairtex Family (Muy Thai), and Maestro Lateef Crowder (Capoeria).

Gerald is extremely excited to have the opportunity to be working for the McNeil Family Clubhouse and hopes to one day show members his knowledge in music and martial arts.

Hashina is a Senior at East Palo Alto High School. She belongs to Keystone, Girls for a Change, Money Matters & Career Launch. Hashina aspires to attend Stanford University to become a Pediatrician.

Edgar is a Junior at Carlmont High School. He enjoys going to the movies, fishing & helping his community. He plans to attend San Jose State to become a Parole Officer.

Julia has been a member at the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Peninsula in Menlo Park since she was six years old.  Over the years, Julia has participated in Game Room tournaments, Achievement Matters and Keystone. However, what really drew Julia to the club were the friendly staff and her friends.  Julia feels that the club taught her values and life lessons that she wouldn't have learned elsewhere.  The knowledge that she has received at the Boys and Girls Club has made her a strong person.  Julia is someone that gives back selflessly to her family, her community and other club members. Julia won our BGCP Youth of the Year and went on as a finalist from Northern California to the California Youth of the Year State Event. In Sacramento, Julia presented her speech flawlessly on two occasions with great tenacity and poise. The Lieutenant Governor presented certificates to all the candidates and had a tour of the State Capitol. Julia enjoyed the company of the other finalists from all over the state and all were recognized and introduced on the Senate Floor during a Senate Judiciary Meeting,  One of our local State Assemblymen, Ira Ruskin, presented Julia with a Resolution at the final ceremony. Julia will continue to represent BGCP and Northern California as our 2008 Youth of the Year. Julia is a Senior at Menlo-Atherton High School and will be graduating in June 2009.  She aspires to attend a four year college and wants to become a Social Worker.

Cherise is a Senior at East Palo Alto Academy High School. She is involved in Keystone & Achievement Matters. She would like to one day own her own publishing company.

Eric is in his first year of college. His hobbies are playing basketball and football. He loves working out and being with his friends.

Derrick is currently attending College of San Mateo. He is a former member of the Boys & Girls Club in San Mateo. Derrick enjoys playing baseball on his free time and is an active member of Keystone.