Meet Our Board

  • CHAIR OF THE BOARD

    I have spent the majority of my life living in the city of Merced. My grandparents arrived in downtown Merced in 1903 by train from San Francisco. I was raised by my parents not to tolerate social injustices and to stand and speak for my rights and the rights others. Having grown up in the 50’s and 60’s I witnessed countless social, human and racial injustices and prejudices. From young age I was a very passionate agent for change. My purpose has always been to confront inequities, inequalities and oppression of gender, race, education and age. I am retired after 43 years in public and social services.

    Valley Onward is the continuation and expansion of the excellent and innovated community works that Building Healthy Communities (BHC) imparted upon Merced County from 2010-2020. I first became connected with BHC through the “Health Care 4 All” crusade with the attempt of educating the Merced County Board of Supervisors of their responsibility to ensure all county residents had access to healthcare. This campaign still continues in Merced County.

    I am honored and grateful to have been asked to serve on Valley Onward’s Board of Directors. This is an exciting and challenging time for our community and our world. I will continue to be an activist and advocate for injustices in hopes to promote change.

  • CO-CHAIR OF THE BOARD

    I am Maria Alapizco. I was born in Magdalena de Kino, Sonora, Mexico. A place that was given the title of being a magical town. I am married and have three beautiful children.

    I have lived in this country for several years. From 2004 to the present, I have been a volunteer in my children's schools. I have been president, vice-president, and secretary in some of these committees; ELAC, DELAC, SSC, LCAP, WASC and Coffee with the Principal. I am also part of the Santa Nella community group and founded with the help of my husband the Parent Leaders Group in the Gustine School District, I am part of the Gustine High School Mental Health group, OCMC (Organizing for Change in Merced County). Sometimes I also help at a Methodist Church in the city of Merced delivering food along with a group of volunteers and Pastor Ella.

    I am a Community Health Promoter and PLTI facilitator. I am active in different organizations within Merced County and other counties. I am Vice President of the Valley Onward Organization. I have always considered myself an extremely optimistic, cheerful, dependable, and fun person.

    One of my favorite hobbies is reading when I have the time and listening to music. But most important of all is spending time with my family and sharing with friends. Something that I have always enjoyed doing is helping people in need without expecting anything in return.

  • SECRETARY OF THE BOARD

    I arrived more than 20 years ago to this country with my family, not knowing the language, not knowing how to drive, living with two other families in a small two-bedroom apartment in New Hampshire.

    We moved to California in 1998. Despite so many challenges, I did not give up because I am the example for my children, and I want them to overcome any obstacles they might face throughout their lives.

    In Mexico, I earned a bachelor’s degree in Nutrition, and my husband is an Air Operations Technician. We decided that I would get involved in our children's education while he worked milking cows at a dairy farm.

    I am president of the Migrant Program Parent Committee in the Nido School District, a member at the Regional level of the Migrant Program, a member of the ELAC, DELAC committees in Merced County, and president of ELAC and DELAC in El Nido from 2003-2008; I am also a facilitator for "The Latino Family Literacy Project, and for PIQUE (Parent Institute for Quality Education) since 2004. I graduated from PLTI in 2015, I collaborate with Cultiva la Salud and Faith in the Valley on issues related to immigration and affordable housing. I am also active with the Merced Task Force (Leadership Council organization), and with NAMI in the weekly group. I am a member of Mujeres Poderosas, Creadores del Cambio, OCMC (Organizing for Change in Merced County) with Senator Anna Caballero, and I am a leader in my community of Dos Palos, CA. During the pandemic I collaborated in the distribution of food in Dos Palos along with Pastor Ella Luna of the Methodist church in the city of Merced. I am a current member of the Board of Directors of the new non-profit organization Valley Onward.

    I want to encourage parents to be part of the change in their own communities for the sake of our children who are the FUTURE OF THE WORLD.

  • TREASURER OF THE BOARD

    I am a proud mom of two beautiful, loving girls. I am also a resident of Atwater, CA and enjoy growing with my community. Initially, I was drawn into the work of Valley Onward through my work as a public health practitioner but stayed because of the passionate people involved in this organization. I look forward to making a difference in the community of Merced County in the areas of equity, building up parents and supporting women. In my down time I enjoy writing and traveling.

  • BOARD MEMBER

    I am Gerzayr Alapizco. Originally from Ruiz Cortinez 3, Sinaloa, Mexico.

    From my birth until my adolescence, I grew up in an “ejido” (public land)

    where there were few resources. Later I went to the state capital and

    studied Veterinary Medicine at the Universidad Autónoma de Culiacan, Sinaloa.

    I lived in La Paz, Baja California Sur. Where I worked in a company that sold dairy products wholesale and retail. There I met my wife and mother of my three children. I have lived in this country since 2003. I have worked in construction and then in a dairy farm until present day. I have always enjoyed taking care of animals and my specialty is cattle.

    I started volunteering at my children's schools when I had the time, I volunteered on the ELAC, DELAC, SSC, WASC, Santa Nella Community Group committees, and I have served as chair in some of these groups. I am part of the Parent Leaders Group in the Gustine School District, the Gustine High School Mental Health group, OCMC (Organizing for Change in Merced County). I am a member of the Valley Onward organization. Sometimes I also help at a Methodist Church in Merced in the delivery of food along with a group of volunteers and Pastor Ella.

    My favorite pastime is going for walks with my family and accompanying my children to their sports practices and attending their games. I consider myself a cheerful, optimistic, and always a persevering person. But my biggest motivation to do this in my life has always been my beautiful wife and my children who are the greatest treasure that God has given me. Without them I would not be the human being I am today.

  • BOARD MEMBER

    Ozzy DeLuna supporting others find their voice to inspire personal and professional purpose.