Michael Jones
Director of Program Service/ Unit Director
Since 2005
In 2002, Michael Jones was the Associate Director of Programs for San Francisco Conservation Corp. The San Francisco Conservation Corps Youth in Action (YIA) program is an intensive academic support, community service, and environmental education program serving 150 San Francisco middle school students ages 11-14, annually. Youth in Action goals are to provide participants with academic support and enrichment, opportunities to engage in meaningful community service, while learning about the relevance of urban environmentalism. Simultaneously, through a challenging combination of classroom activities and hands-on experience, participants develop basic job, social, and leadership skills, as well as an ethic of service that will help them succeed as students and active members of their community. YIA participants conduct community service projects in one of three project areas: Conservation & Recycling, Media, and Leadership.
In 2000, Michael Jones was the program coordinator of Youth In Philanthropy.Youth In Philanthropy integrates two projects comprised by young adults, from San Francisco and Marin County, which actively partake in all aspects of funding youth oriented initiatives. This program introduces youth to the complex matrix of philanthropy ranging from such tasks as grant writing, oral presentations, and developing fiscal budget to enhancing social skills through developing a positive rapport with public officials and their community, at large.
Michael Jones professional career in youth development began in San Francisco with the Boys and Girls Club of San Francisco. He has diligently worked with youth based organizations in the formulation and promotion of youth oriented projects. The impediment of tobacco sales to minors, awareness of environmental degradation, attention to rampant gun violence, and restoration of community alliances were issues in which, the advocacy and fortitude of youth, along with Michael Jones's guidance,stimulated regionally/national projects. The efforts of these youth oriented projects have been widely recognized by public officials and other prominent citizens.
Michael Jones' commitment to youth development is widely acknowledged by his peers within the non-profit sector, amongst community members and most importantly with the youth that he has closely worked with. In recognition of his efforts, Michael Jones has been honored with awards, gratitude and praise from his colleagues and youth. His pledge towards youth development remains steadfast and incessant.
Peter Pheap
Associate Unit Director/ Computer Clubhouse Manager
Since 2002
Peter Pheap discovered his ear for music while playing guitar with friends during high school. At Oregon State University, he further developed his skills singing, playing and writing original music for rock bands around campus. After buying some equipment to record the groups, Peter decided to make a change and explore his interest in the recording arts. In 1999, he left OSU to enroll in The Art Institute of Seattle. Two years later, Peter graduated with a degree in Audio production. He moved to San Francisco to break into the fields of audio and video production. He applied for a part-time position at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula in Redwood City as a coordinator in the club’s computer clubhouse. From scratch, Peter has created a recording and sound production program that draws teens from all over the peninsula. Members who study with Peter gain professional competencies in audio production on industry standard software such as Pro Tools and Reason. After hours, Peter continues to pursue his own music as a studio producer. Peter’s professional skill and experience not only gives him credibility with his students, but allows him to prepare them for working in the professional world of multi-media.
Diana Ramirez Health and Life Skills Coordinator
Since 2005
Diana is pursuing a pre-law Associate Degree at Foothill College. In the fall of 2006 she will be transferring to San Jose State University and majoring in Criminal Justice and Sociology.
Prior to joining the BGCP family in May 2005, Diana was a former Menlo Park club member and has worked with children as volunteer the Belle Haven Summer School Program daycare center, in Menlo Park.
Diana is very passionate, energetic, and outgoing. She is excited to be a part of the Redwood City team and hopes to form a bond with the children and staff to make the best out of the BGCP.
Guadalupe Ortiz
Front Desk Operator
Since 2007
Guadalupe Ortiz-Sanchez also known as Lupe is the Front Desk Operator for the Mervin G. Morris Clubhouse. When Lupe was two months old, her dad migrated to the United States to provide her with a better future. When she was a year old, she and her mother migrated to the United States. At the age of seven, Lupe became a member of the Boys and Girls Club but stopped coming after graduating Hoover School. Lupe obtained her citizenship days before graduating Woodside High School.
She is the first person in her family to complete earn her high school diploma and begin college. She is now attending Foothill College to major in Sociology to start her profession as a Social Worker.
Denise Padilla Administration Assistant
Since 2005
Denise Padilla-Alcala’ was born in La Habra, Ca on May 4 th 1984. Three years later, she and her family moved to San Francisco to seek better opportunities. Denise attended E.R. Taylor Elementary, Martin Luther King Middle school, Philip and Sala Burton High School and is now currently at Las Positas College in Livermore. She plans on getting her degree in Psychology and a minor in Child Development. She has experience working with children as a volunteer at E.R. Taylor Elementary in San Francisco. She enjoys working with all ages and giving back to the community.
On her free time, Denise sings at local events and competitions in the bay area and in southern California. She has maintained her talent now for four years and hopes that one day she will get a great opportunity to become a professional “ranchera” singer.
My own quote: “You should always take advantage of opportunities that are rendered because that can lead you to the door of your destiny” or “ Siempre hay que aprovechar de las oportunidades que se nos presente porque eso puede abrir las puertas de tu destino”.
Gladys Gudino
Academic Director
Since 2008
Gladys Gudino was born in Los Angeles but moved to Mountain View with her mother and older sister when she was four. She graduated from Mountain View High School in 2003 and went on to attend college in Southern California; she knows that without the help of teachers and mentors in accordance with her family's unconditional support she would not have made it. In 2007, she was the first in her family to graduate from college, receiving a Bachelor's Degree in History and minors in Spanish and Chicano and Chicana Studies from UCLA.
While in college, she facilitated English classes to Day Laborers, taught Spanish to African American students in South Central Los Angeles, mentored incarcerated youth at Camp Kilpatrick in Malibu, and tutored middle school students in math. In addition to working in the schools, she participated in fair labor law campaigns, women's rights movements and student protests to demand affirmative action be used in college admissions. Upon graduation she had the opportunity to study abroad in Spain and Morocco and went on to travel around Italy and France.
Gladys knows the importance of getting an education and coming back to our communities to serve as role models and help the younger generations. She is passionate about motivating youth to excel in school and to follow their dreams. Drawing upon the cultural wealth and sense of solidarity in our communities, she wishes to create a college culture in every kid she meets and reminds them to rely on their hard work and dedication to achieve greatness in life.
Gladys plans to pursue graduate studies in the field of education and continue working to change the status quo. In her free time she enjoys cooking, dancing, and going to the park with her little sister and niece.
Alfonso Oseguera
Computer Clubhouse Manager
Since 2000
Born in Redwood City, California, Alfonso Oseguera, better known as Poncho, was raised in the Boys & Girls Club of the Peninsula. As a high school student in 1996, Poncho first worked in the technology field on the assembly line for Lodan West Inc. By 2001, he graduated from OICWs Cisco Academy Program and was working for Lodan as a quality control technician. Poncho immediately took his skills back to his community to spearhead the BGCP's technology initiative as director of the new Intel computer clubhouse in EPA. A year later, Poncho moved to the RWC club to build another clubhouse for his hometown. For the past three years, he has built a program introducing the vast world of technology to thousands of members from the BGCP's communities. Poncho's members are exposed and gain skills in IT, digital graphics, web design, robotics, digital audio and music.
In CNG, Poncho is involved in every grade, dropping into every classroom to offer his assistance. He works closely with the seventh graders, teaching them about respect, integrity, and responsibility. He ensures that each student's number one priority is homework completion via a quiet and productive atmosphere.
During his free time, Poncho DJ's community events, exercises, and spends time with his family.
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Dalila Amezcua
Social Education Director
Since 2003
Dalila Amezcua is the SuccessMaker Assistant for the Redwood City Clubhouse. Dalila went to Sequoia High School in Redwood City and is now completing her degrees in Spanish and Social Work from San Francisco State University. Dalila was born in the United States but grew up in Mexico. She came back to the U.S. when she was thirteen years old.
Dalila has ties to the Mexican-American Community in Redwood City and surrounding areas for years. She is well known and well-loved in the Redwood City Boys & Girls Club community. Dalila is an energetic, sincerely committed, highly-skilled SuccessMaker team member, and a mother of an almost one year old boy (Diego).
Outside of work, Dalila and her husband, Pedro Ruiz, have been managing and coaching a soccer team of nineteen year old girls for almost six years, as a way to give back to the community.
Lailie Ibrahim
Physical Education Director
Since 2007
Lailie Ibrahim comes to the Boys and Girls Club with an extensive background in athletics, journalism, and working with young people. As a young person herself, Lailie was always engaged in sports, playing basketball all through high school and well into college. She was instrumental in running the girls' basketball program at her school in the Middle East, where she attended high school and her first year of college. She eventually moved back to the United States where she enrolled in college and pursued her passion for both basketball and writing.
Lailie received her bachelor's degree from San Francisco State University in print journalism with a minor in international relations. Following graduation, Lailie spent 18 months in an intense apprenticeship program at KPFA in Berkeley, learning radio broadcast skills. The program culminated in six months producing and co-hosting a weekly cultural and community radio magazine called Full Circle.
Lailie has held a variety of jobs, but has always been drawn back to the combination of sports and working with youth. She spent two years as an active substitute at Leadership Public Schools, filling in at their Richmond, Oakland, Hayward and San Jose campuses. She also devoted a year to coaching the varsity girls' basketball team at Windrush School in El Cerrito, and is currently a seasonal basketball coach at the Olympic Club in San Francisco. Most recently, Lailie worked with children as a noontime sports coordinator with the YMCA before deciding to join the Boys and Girls Club.
Lailie's writings have been published on several online sites, in magazines, and most notably, a piece she wrote in college was published in a book called Hip Deep: Opinion, Vision, and Essays by American Teenagers. Lailie is currently finishing up her master's degree in sports management at San Jose State University.
Christine Machuca
Successmaker Assistant
Since 2005
Christine Machuca has been a member eleven years ago and now working at the Redwood City Boys and Girls Club. She is also attending
Woodside High School and will be graduating this year. She has also volunteered over 175 hours and had recevied credit for those hours. She enjoys the time that she spends with the children in Success Maker.
Joseph Colmenares
Teen Director
Since 2005
Born and raised in the diverse city of San Francisco , Joseph Colmenares, is an alumni and former staff member of the Columbia Park Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco. As a teen, Joseph participated in an array of teen programs, mentoring programs, community service project locally and nationally and was President of the Keystone Leadership and Art clubs and also participated in the “JOB READY” program as Teen Staff and later became Teen Director of Columbia Park . While closely working with teens and contributing to his community, Joseph continued to pursue his passion in the visual arts field. Joseph graduated from the San Francisco Art Institute and currently implements his artistic talents to many of his innovative teen programs. Lastly, Joseph's connection with the youth culture and excitement of empowering youth along with his animated personality welcomes a diverse group of teens from many of the local Middle and High Schools in Redwood City and Menlo Park .
Paulo Valencia
Physical Education Assistant
Since 2003
Paulo was born in Mexico but raised in Redwood City starting from the age of seven. He got involved in sports and at a very early age he played for various soccer, baseball, football, and basketball teams. He joined the Boys & Girls Club when he was in fourth grade and was a member up until 8th grade. He later returned to the Redwood City Clubhouse when he was a senior at Sequoia High School and began volunteering for the athletic department and coached the boys and girls teams. He was offered a part time position over the summer which he accepted and has been here ever since.
He is also currently attending San Jose State University and is majoring in Kinesiology, he plans on getting a degree and teach Physical Education.
Eric Ruiz RC Teen Staff
Since 2007
Francisco Espinoza Social Education Assistant
Since 2007
Francisco Espinoza is currently attending Foothill College. He plans to transfer to a state college to pursue his degree in architecture and in music. He was a Youth of the Year nominee for Mervin G. Morris Club House in 2007. He enjoys singing, writing songs, and playing piano. He is here for the experience because experience can help in the long run.
