Learn more about members of our leadership team, including our Executive Board and Staff.
Executive Board
The Executive Board is comprised of volunteer community members that either live or serve the people of Sunnyside. Their role is instrumental in guiding the coalition and staff in what Sunnyside needs the most in order to achieve its mission.
Carina Gonzalez
Chair
Carina works as the Family Resource Navigator with Help Me Grow Central Washington. She has helped families connect to State and local resources in this role and prior roles for about 6 years. She is a Sunnyside Grizzly Alum of 2015 and has been invested in creating a healthier community since she was in high school. She started with the Sunnyside High School Prevention Club in 2013 and kept close ties and volunteered with Sunnyside United Unidos for the past 10 years. She is now excited to be the Chair of the coalition! She also serves on the Sunnyside School District Advisory Council, is a liaison to the Alternative Spring Break for Oregon State University, and is a member of Investing in Children's Coalition. Carina likes to spend her time hiking, going to the gym, and hanging out with family and friends and her plants!
Perla Zepeda
Vice Chair
'Spread Love not Hate! Be the Good!'
Rosalinda Alvarez
At-Large Board Member
I have been a Domestic Violence Advocate for the last 25 plus years at the LightHouse in Sunnyside WA. Working with families and youth providing outreach, prevention, healthy and unhealthy relationships. Our biggest events are Walk A Mile In Her Shoes and Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
I'm involved in my church where I enjoy teaching Vacation Bible School in the summer. I'm also involved in the homeless outreach providing them with resources and personal hygiene. Other events in our community l enjoy doing: NNO, Trunk or Treat, being a part of Sunnyside United-Unidos, and volunteering my time for the city of Sunnyside in any way I'm able to.
l enjoy spending time with my family, grandkids, friends as well as baking and doing crafts.
Silvia Ramos
At-Large Board Member
Silvia Ramos of Sunnyside is a business owner and entrepreneur. Silvia is the founder of Silvia's Professional Tax Services, Silvia's Café, and SRZ Real Estate. She is a dedicated mother of 6 and sits on the board for the Sunnyside School District.
Silvia was a previous member of the Sunnyside Unidos Coalition and a Sunnyside High School Graduate of '96.
Silvia's mission is to stand in solidarity with our community and lead with integrity.
Jose Ochoa
At-Large Board Member
Jose Ochoa was raised in Sunnyside, WA and was exposed to gang culture and involved since his teens, though never officiated, he was associated. Now married and a proud father of two, he left the life of drug-abuse and gang association behind and is working for United Family Center as a Substance Use Professional Trainee and Gang prevention specialist in their School-based program at the Sierra Vista Middle School. Ochoa currently runs a few after school programs; Prevention club, Digital Media club, and an Alternatives drug education program for high risk students. He is also a spiritual leader at his church in Prosser and serves the Lower Valley Communities through Barrio Ministries.
Staff
Funded by federal and state grants, our staff ensures that the coalition is achieving action plans set forth by the community of Sunnyside and in compliance with grant requirements.
Blanca Hernandez
Administrative Assistant
Blanca has been part of the Coalition since 2016. She loves her job, serving the community, and working with the fun amazing staff. Blanca graduated from Sunnyside High School in 2001 and is currently attending Yakima Valley College in Grandview. She is a parent volunteer at Outlook Elementary and is a volunteer Catechist for St. Joseph Catholic Church. Because of her love and passion for serving her community Blanca is excited to be part of the team. Blanca is married and has four wonderful children. Has a total of eleven siblings. She loves to cook, exercise, and is fond of farm animals.
Brenda Barrios
Community Coalition Program Specialist
Brenda was raised in Sunnyside, graduated from Sunnyside High school, and followed her dreams by attending the University of Washington, Seattle. There she received a B.A. in Sociology, B.A in Comparative History of Ideas, Minor in Human Rights, and a Business Certificate. Her passion is to be involved in an established organization that is able to empower youth to reach their highest potential as individuals and develop a positive self/cultural identity so it is only fitting that she landed at Sunnyside United-Unidos! She currently advises the High School Prevention Club and is extremely proud of all her students who choose to be a positive leader or advocate.
Her experiences include traveling around the state of Washington as a YMCA Summer Camp Youth Counselor, giving a year of service through City Year in Los Angeles, and working with communities around Seattle & South Africa. She loves traveling, the performing arts, reading, hiking, and spending time with family.
Eveth Padilla
Community Coalition Program Facilitator
Eveth moved to Sunnyside when she was 5 years old and graduated from Sunnyside Highschool. She attended Eastern Washington University where she received a B.S. In Community Health, Minor in Communication Studies and a B.A. Certificate in Leadership. She enjoys helping people and learning. She followed one of her many dreams by moving to Uganda where she lived for a few months and educated the communities about HIV, Malaria and Nutrition. During her stay in Uganda she created one of her favorite memories which was integrating with a community, learning about the Bantu tribe located in Southwest Uganda, their culture, and their language. She also had the opportunity to learn their local dance.
She recently moved back to Sunnyside and is excited to work and grow with the community.
Here she is wearing a dress and headband made out of Kitange , which was hand made by a Ugandan seamstress. Kitange is a African fabric that is made up of different prints. This is one of Eveth’s favorite pictures.
Coalition Meetings
Sunnyside United-Unidos has monthly meetings which are open to the public! Come join us to learn more about what we do and what we're working so hard on.
Childcare & Translation available upon early request.
Information Here!