When I joined HFSV as an intern this summer, I was thrilled to discover our partnership with Familias Unidas – United through Education, a nonprofit organization founded by my former third-grade teacher, Ninfa Zuno, and her husband, Secundino Zuno. It felt like everything had come full circle, and I couldn’t be happier to be part of such an impactful initiative.
Founded in 2006, Familias Unidas aims to engage parents in their children’s education and promote community progress. With over 25 years of teaching experience, the Zunos recognized the need to support students and their parents. “Familias Unidas builds better communities through the education of the whole family,” says Ninfa and Secundino.
The collaboration between HFSV and Familias Unidas started in 2020. The goal was to expand the Foundation’s educational program outreach in San Mateo County by supporting Latino parents in becoming advocates and active leaders in their children’s schools and communities. Since then, over 1,200 families have graduated from this program, and in the 2023-2024 school year alone, we supported 592 Latino families.
The program, which my parents and I participated in during my elementary school years, engages the whole family to enhance academic achievement, STEM exposure, social-emotional skills, and overall health, fostering confidence that college is attainable. As a rising junior at San José State and the first in my family to pursue a college degree, I can personally attest to how transformative this support has been.
HFSV’s integration of STEM education through partnerships with organizations like Science is Elementary, the Tech Interactive, and AT&T is a significant achievement. Through these partnerships, we have provided program participants with free laptops and internet connectivity, Science kits, STEM field trips, and hosted events like the Hispanic Tech-a-thon to continue fostering their STEM curiosity.
Familias Unidas has been a cornerstone of community support and the development of our programming in San Mateo County.
“HFSV has many resources to offer Latino families, and we are very honored and grateful for this valuable collaboration,” said Ninfa and Secundino Zuno—Familias Unidas.
As we look to the future, HFSV is honored to partner with this remarkable initiative and support programs that address language barrier challenges and the digital divide, providing low-income Latino families with the technology, materials, and programming necessary to support their children’s learning.
Together, we empower Silicon Valley Latinos’ lives toward a college-oriented future and ultimately increase the representation of Latinos in STEM fields!