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Uplift. Empower. Transform. Faithfully serving North Fair Oaks—standing with families for over years.

Our Mission

Levantar uplifts immigrant families in North Fair Oaks and Redwood City—offering education, cultural enrichment, and responsive support through trusted relationships.

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The Heart of Levantar

INITIATIVES

From proximity to impact—programs rooted in justice, built on trust, and driven by love.

Community

At Levantar, we walk alongside families with care that’s rooted in trust, culture, and community.

For over 20 years, we’ve built deep, genuine relationships that create space for families to share their struggles and celebrate their successes.

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Three upper elementary aged girls of hispanic descent display a handmade craft in their classroom. They have brown hair and are wearing school uniforms with the names covered for privacy.

Wellness

hunger and fatigue can impair learning and hinder the ability to complete classwork

Illness brings them to a halt. Therefore, Levantar deems fitness and nutrition a necessity, not a luxury, for all children in Redwood City and North Fair Oaks.

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Wellness initiative

Education

Education changes everything.

When students feel supported, they can grow in confidence, skills, and hope for the future.

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Art

We proudly partner with local artists to offer art programs for our students.

Sheena Wilton of Laurel Street Arts has been working with our students on projects since late 2021. Seeing their work on display in downtown Redwood City has been a joy!

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Art initiative

Immigration

Every day, families in our community are being torn apart by immigration enforcement.

 ¡Levantar! is on the frontlines, responding immediately when a family reaches out.

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Events

In a society that celebrates individualism, Levantar prefers to pursue what is possible when we work in community

We want to promote proximity and purpose instead, convinced that individual happiness is inseparably tied to the well-being of others.

Backpack Drive

¡Levantar!'s Annual Backpack Drive is a back-to-school celebration for the families of North Fair Oaks...
Event Info

Backpack Filling

¡Levantar!'s Annual Backpack Drive is a back-to-school celebration for the families of North Fair Oaks...
Event Info
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¡Levantar!

Who We Are

One Community. Many Voices. Levantar. Rise up.

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Make a Difference!

Your Support
is Invaluable

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Héctor de santiago

Program Manager

Héctor is a native of East San José born to Mexican immigrant parents. Before joining ¡Levantar!, Héctor was the Director of School Operations at the Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP), an organization whose mission is to bridge the achievement gap between students with limited resources and their more affluent counterparts. He believes that education (in all its forms) is the great equalizer and is key in leveling the playing field for typically underserved communities. In his spare time, Héctor loves to travel and try out new restaurants. He feels blessed to have had the opportunity to travel to over 35 countries on 5 continents and acknowledges that this would not have been possible without a supportive network of friends and family and an education.

Morgan Barbosa

Morgan Barbosa 

Board Member

Morgan is a Bay Area native who is deeply committed to serving his local community by organizing professional job fairs and networking events for students. Professionally, he serves as a Technical Program Manager at Google, where he is a proud member of Google’s HOLA employee resource group. He actively partners with HOLA’s leadership to further the organization’s mission: “Supporting and advancing the representation of the Latino community at Google Cloud and throughout the broader technology industry.”

Morgan believes that trusted relationships, a deep sense of purpose, and empathy form the foundation of impactful change. His unique blend of strategic leadership, design thinking, and grassroots involvement enables him to make a tangible impact on local youth who face significant hurdles in accessing higher education and competing in today’s fast-paced science and technology industries.

Morgan has been married to his wife, Cawley, for 20 wonderful years. They reside in Menlo Park, and in their free time, they enjoy hiking on the Peninsula and seeking out the best local Mexican taquerias.

Chris Dorst

Chris Dorst

Board Member

Chris grew up in Menlo Park and studied history and business at Stanford. He spent over 20 years in tech marketing with companies including Atari, Apple, and Sun Microsystems, as well as several startups, before transitioning into nonprofit and community-focused work. Chris later served as Director of Children’s Ministries at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church and spent 15 years at Stanford Athletics overseeing guest services and security. He brings extensive board experience, currently serving with New Community Church and the U.S. Water Polo Foundation, and previously with organizations including the U.S. Olympic Committee and U.S. Water Polo. He has also volunteered with Levantar (Generations United) in Redwood City for over a decade. Now (mostly) retired, Chris stays busy with career consulting, residential real estate, learning guitar, improving his golf game, and researching future writing projects. He lives in Menlo Park with his wife Marybeth and enjoys time with their three daughters and six grandchildren.

Meghan Crowell

Meghan Crowell

Board Member

Meghan Crowell is a highly respected community leader and attorney who has made community service a lifelong commitment. She currently serves on the San Mateo County Commission on the Status of Women, where she works to advance policies and partnerships that improve the lives of women and families across the county. Meghan is also a member of the Board of Trustees for Episcopal Day School of San Mateo, where she helps uphold the school’s mission to prepare students to be leaders of positive change in the world. In addition, Meghan serves as Vice-Chair of the Board of Help a Mother Out, where she supports efforts to expand access to essential resources for families with young children across the Bay Area. An active volunteer, she continues to support Peninsula families through her work with organizations including Peninsula Family Service, Samaritan House, CORA, and There With Care. On a personal note, Meghan enjoys spending time with friends and family—preferably with plenty of laughter and good food.

Meghan Crowell

Meghan Crowell

Board Member

Meghan Crowell is a highly respected community leader and attorney who has made community service a lifelong commitment. She currently serves on the San Mateo County Commission on the Status of Women, where she works to advance policies and partnerships that improve the lives of women and families across the county. Meghan is also a member of the Board of Trustees for Episcopal Day School of San Mateo, where she helps uphold the school’s mission to prepare students to be leaders of positive change in the world. In addition, Meghan serves as Vice-Chair of the Board of Help a Mother Out, where she supports efforts to expand access to essential resources for families with young children across the Bay Area. An active volunteer, she continues to support Peninsula families through her work with organizations including Peninsula Family Service, Samaritan House, CORA, and There With Care. On a personal note, Meghan enjoys spending time with friends and family—preferably with plenty of laughter and good food.

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Steve Joh

Board Member

Steve is a community builder, pastor, justice advocate and mobilizer. He brings two decades of pastoral experience in a wide variety of roles at two churches and is currently building a network of innovative, small, missional spiritual communities. A resident of East Palo Alto, along with his wife Amy and two girls, Steve shares a passion for bringing thriving to under-resourced communities and bringing people together for the common good. Steve loves spending time with his family, baking bread, making bacon, creating music, and is obsessed with all things soccer (God's greatest gift).

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Katrina Valera

Board Member

Katrina Valera is a home and family manager, homeschool teacher to her two children, and small business owner based in North County San Diego. Her experience in community service and leadership started in the Bay Area, where she was born and raised. Katrina’s background includes involvement in fundraising and event planning, along with over a decade of experience in the hospitality industry. She has led educational programs for children and served as a member of the Parent-Teacher Association. Katrina has a longstanding passion for serving others, dedicating her efforts to community, education, and health. She prioritizes nurturing family and community connections and creating supportive environments that foster learning and growth. Katrina loves creating art and going on nature walks with her family.

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Edwin Guzman

Board Member

Edwin Guzman is the lead pastor and one of the founders of Iglesia Cristiana SE, located in Rohnert Park, CA. He has been serving in ministry for over 20 years. He was ordained Pastor and graduated in Theology with a major in Bible Studies from Liberty University. He also completed his studies in Behavioral Science, and has accreditations as a Master Coach in Neurolinguistic Programming, Neuropsychotherapy, and Neuroscience. In 2024 and after 17 years of service working as a Counselor Supervisor Edwin retired from the County of Sonoma/Human Services Department. Edwin has been married for 29 years to Sandra and they have one young adult child. Edwin is a visionary who beiieves in empowering and uplifting others for a better future. He actively works to enable individuals within the church and community to reach their full potential, fostering a sense of self-worth, value, and positive change through support and encouragement.

Patricia Solis

PATRICIA SOLIS

Board Member

Patricia Solis is a nonprofit leader with more than 18 years of experience advancing education, equity, and community empowerment. Originally from Colombia, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, a postgraduate specialization in International Finance, and a degree in Special Education for Early Childhood. Patricia began her nonprofit career at Women’s Initiative, an organization dedicated to supporting women at risk through entrepreneurship and financial education. She later worked in the Development Department at the American Red Cross before joining BizWorld, where she has spent the past decade helping expand entrepreneurship education programs that inspire and empower youth. Patricia also serves on the advisory board of Apoyo Financiero and as Secretary of her local PTA, continuing her commitment to civic engagement and educational access. We are thrilled to have her on the Board at ¡Levantar!

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MATEO ALZATE

Board Member

Mateo Alzate is a pastor and ministry leader with over a decade of experience serving in faith-based and community-centered organizations, particularly serving urban youth. His work is rooted in a deep commitment to Scripture, justice, and the flourishing of local communities. Mateo has served in pastoral ministry, leadership development, and holistic outreach, with a particular passion for forming leaders, fostering belonging, and supporting restorative work at both personal and communal levels.

Peter morris

PEter Morris

Board Member

Peter Morris was born and raised on the San Francisco Peninsula. He grew up as a young boy in Redwood City, and received his public education in the Redwood City’s classrooms. Fond of this experience growing up, Peter has a special heart for local schools, and the families that attend them. As he always has enjoyed, he has great love for physical fitness and outdoor activities of every kind. He also has a love of music, and now performs the trumpet with the San Jose Wind Symphony as one of its principal brass players. Peter serves as a investment advisor with Lincoln Financial, where he helps clients achieve their financial goals and plan for their retirement. Married for over 40 years, Peter and Fredda have four adult children and five grandchildren. They are active members of Peninsula Covenant Church and the Peninsula Community Center. Peter’s wife Fredda has been instrumental in developing relationships with children and families through tutoring weekly with Generations United.

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BENITA HOPKINS

Board Member

Benita Hopkins is known by all as an “agent of change,” a reputation she earned while serving as the director of community engagement for Love Never Fails, a nonprofit committed to aiding the trafficked population. She seeks to bring hope to children around the world who have suffered from shame and abandonment, for example, Ghana, where she has advanced efforts in violence prevention and aftercare programs for trauma victims. She was awarded “2015 Abolitionist of the Year” by the San Francisco Collaborative Against Human Trafficking, and the “Working Women’s Award” by the Dr. MLK Jr. Association of Santa Clara Valley. These distinctions reflect her competence as a cross-cultural educator and a champion for social justice in communities like the ones she serves through GU. Prior to joining the Board, Benita served faithfully as our Director of Education and led our AEC at Schaberg Library. In the Summer of 2021, she will join us in a support role to continue to put her expertise to work for our families.

Enrique rodriguez lopez

Enrique Rodriguez-Lopez

AEC Associate

Enrique is from Redwood City and is currently a student at Canada Community College. He dreams about becoming a future business owner to be able to give back to his community. He’s very passionate about serving others and tries his best to help those in need. Enrique enjoys spending quality time with his friends and family.

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Daniela Gochez

AEC Associate

Daniela is a Redwood City native who has long been connected to Generations United programming. She and her family have been an integral part of our community for many years. We were thrilled to welcome her in 2024 as an intern and now she has a permanent role as an AEC Associate. She is engaging with students and a hard-working student herself. We are so proud to have her on the team.