MEET THE TEAM
Larry Fondation
Executive Director
Larry Fondation, Executive Director
Larry Fondation is the Executive Director of United Parents and Students. Prior to UPAS, Larry Fondation was the Director of Community Engagement for Green Dot Public Schools for five years. He worked for more than a decade as a lead organizer for the Industrial Areas Foundation, the community organizing network founded by Saul Alinsky. He has focused his organizing primarily in South and East Los Angeles. In addition, Fondation is the author of five books of fiction, as well as numerous pieces of short fiction and journalism, which have been published internationally. Fondation and his wife live in Silver Lake; they have three daughters.
Cendy Andrade
Associate Director
Cendy Andrade, Associate Director
Cendy Andrade, Associate Director at United Parents and Students (UPAS), brings a wealth of experience in community leadership to her role. Before joining UPAS, Cendy held various leadership positions at Strength Based Community Change (SBCC). Raised in Compton and educated in Watts, Cendy's roots deeply connect her with the communities UPAS serves. With over a decade of hands-on experience in spearheading grassroots initiatives rooted in asset-based community development, Cendy has led diverse teams across various countywide programs. Her approach to community development is marked by a commitment to building relationships and fostering deep connections to drive positive change. Cendy's academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from California State University, Dominguez Hills, enriching her understanding of societal dynamics. Her work ethos is characterized by a dedication to grassroots organizing, asset-based community development, and an unwavering passion for catalyzing positive transformations in underserved communities. She currently resides in Downey, CA, with her husband, two young children, two cats, and one dog.
Cecilia Vasquez
Community Engagement Manager
Cecilia Vasquez, Community Engagement Manager
Cecilia Vazquez was born in Zacatecas, Mexico, and raised in Mexico City before immigrating to Los Angeles at the age of 24, carrying her baby and a profound ambition for a better future. By the age of 30, Cecilia had embarked on ESL and computer classes while raising three children. This dedication led her to the Esperanza Community Health Promoters training program, where she successfully graduated and completed an internship at California Hospital. At 36, Cecilia enrolled in the Community Planning and Economic Development program at LA Trade Tech, graduating with distinction. In 2002, Cecilia began her career as a Community Outreach Coordinator at Saint John’s Well Child and Family Center, where she engaged with the community. In 2007, she joined the Green Dot Public Schools team as a Community Engagement Manager, a role she held until 2011 when she joined the newly founded United Parents and Students team, which would eventually become its own independent nonprofit.
Karen Robinson
Community Engagement Manager
Karen Robinson, Community Engagement Manager
Karen Robinson brings over 18 years of dedicated experience to her role as Community Engagement Manager for United Parents and Students. With a deep passion for serving her community, Karen thrives on fostering meaningful connections and partnerships. Her extensive work involves collaborating with parents, families, community-based organizations, the Faith-Based community, and local Elected Officials to drive positive change. Beyond her professional endeavors, Karen finds joy in attending church, crafting unique jewelry pieces, and sharing her culinary creations with loved ones. Through her unwavering commitment to community empowerment and her diverse interests, Karen continues to make a lasting impact in the lives of those around her.
Gloria Jackson
Community Engagement Administrator
Gloria Jackson, Community Engagement Administrator
Gloria Jackson is a seasoned Community Engagement Administrator with an impressive 24-year career dedicated to community empowerment and education support. Her journey began in 2000 with Green Dot Public Schools, where she played a pivotal role in the Community Engagement Department. Over the years, Gloria's dedication and expertise contributed to the evolution of the department into what is now known as United Parents and Students, an independent 501c3. Prior to her work in community engagement, Gloria honed her leadership skills at MetLife/Security First Group, serving as a Lead Generation Supervisor from 1990 to 1999. With a wealth of experience spanning both corporate and educational sectors, Gloria brings a unique perspective to her role, driving impactful initiatives and fostering strong connections within the community. Her commitment to empowering others and creating positive change continues to shape her work and inspire those around her.
Roberto (Bob) Guzman
Senior Community Engagement Coordinator
Roberto (Bob) Guzman, Senior Community Engagement Coordinator
Bob is the Senior Community Engagement Coordinator at UPAS. He works as the lead and manager of UPAS California’s Community Engagement team as well as working directly on local actions in Central Los Angeles. Bob graduated from UC Santa Cruz as an Intensive Psychology major and has been working with UPAS ever since. He started his journey with UPAS through a fellowship with Public Allies, an AmeriCorps program and found a passion in community organizing. He is passionate about connecting communities to resources and seeing communities build collective power.
Hector Blanco
Community Engagement Coordinator
Hector Blanco, Community Engagement Coordinator
Hector is a Community Engagement at UPAS, focusing in schools in the East Los Angeles area. He brings with him 15 years of teaching experience from public schools in Guatemala. In Los Angeles, his work has centered on organizing with day laborers. Hector finds enjoyment in reading political analyses of Latin America and advocating for the rights of the most disenfranchised communities. Empowering parents and students through community organizing serves as the driving force that motivates his work.
Thamar Peña
Community Engagement Coordinator
Thamar Pena, Community Engagement Coordinator
Thamar is a Community Engagement Coordinator who focuses on the Watts/Willowbrook area. Born in Riverside, CA, and raised in Mexico City, she first arrived in this country along with her parents and five siblings when she was 7 years old. Thamar received her bachelor’s degree at the University of California Los Angeles and later became a teacher at Animo Watts. During her four years of teaching, she witnessed many students who had to work to help pay their family’s living expenses, significantly impacting their ability to focus on schoolwork. Thamar joined the UPAS team because she believes that the communities of Compton, Watts, and surrounding areas deserve a better quality of life than what they have been allowed to experience so far.
Kimberly Salguero Perez
Policy Communication Coordinator
Kimberly Salguero Perez, Poilcy Communication Coordinator
Kimberly is the Policy Communication Coordinator at UPAS and supports our YOI program. She is currently a Master of Public Administration Student at the University of Southern California, specializing in Public Policy Advocacy. She is deeply passionate about making policy accessible and ensuring community members receive essential resources. Kimberly is dedicated to driving positive change and is committed to community empowerment and equitable policy access.
Ariana Fernandez
Community Organizer, Connecticut
Ariana Fernandez, Community Organizer, CT
Community Organizer, Ariana Fernandez, leads United Parents and Students in Stamford, Connecticut. Raised by Mexican immigrant parents, Ariana experienced firsthand family separation and the difficult transition between two cultures and systems. Her passion for social justice grew when she began working with high school students and their families and noticed many of their basic needs were not being met, thus making it difficult for students to consistently attend, let alone engage, in school. Ariana developed a strong interest in educational equity and began organizing with UPAS in August of 2022. She strongly believes that people with lived experiences can unite to build power and create a change they want to see in their communities.
Kevin Armstrong
Regional Director of Organizing, Tennessee
Kevin Armstrong, Regional Director of Organizing, TN
Kevin Armstrong, a proud native of Memphis and alumnus of the University of Memphis, now serves as the Regional Director of Organizing for United Parents and Students TN. Inspired by his grandmother's grassroots social justice activism, Kevin's passion for community organizing was sparked early on. He views his work as a continuation of her legacy, aiming to empower students, parents, and communities to effect meaningful change in their daily lives.
Suany Quinonez
Program Coordinator, Youth Engagement
Suany Quinonez, Program Coordinator, Youth Engagement
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Suany has a deep connection to the city and a steadfast commitment to fostering social change. Starting as a Young Organizer herself through the UPAS Young Organizers Institute, she understands and values the potential of young people to create change. With a passion for working with youth and amplifying their voices, she strives to create spaces where their perspectives are valued, and their ideas are heard. Through her work, Suany is dedicated to building a future where young people's contributions shape and transform communities.
Karissa Zingula
Policy and Advocacy Manager
Karissa Zingula, Poilcy and Advocacy Manager
Karissa Zingula is a dedicated Policy & Advocacy Manager at United Parents and Students, where she focuses on addressing economic injustice issues that impact low-income and marginalized communities. With a strong commitment to advancing economic mobility, Karissa has been instrumental in promoting permanent guaranteed income programs in Los Angeles and developing policy solutions aimed at enhancing economic opportunities. Karissa holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. Her academic background, combined with her professional experience, equips her with a deep understanding of the systemic challenges faced by vulnerable populations and the policy frameworks needed to support them. Residing in Chicago, Karissa enjoys traveling to new places, continually seeking inspiration and insights from diverse communities and cultures.