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 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!

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Perla Zepeda

Vice Chair

I am the owner of the Sunnyside Farmers Insurance office and have been an insurance agent for 19+ years.
I am a mother of 4 children and love to go camping, fishing and just being outdoors.
I have been a part of Sunnyside United-Unidos since 2017 and also serve on the Sunnyside school district advisory committee. I am the Chair for Sunnyside Economic development Commissions and the Founder and Director of the Empowering sisters, Womens networking group. My faith and family time is very important to me! My passion is to serve my community through community service and community involvement, so long as the good Lord blesses me with health and the ability to serve.

'Spread Love not Hate! Be the Good!'
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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.

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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.

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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

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Holly Elizondo

Community Coalition Coordinator

 

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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!