GC​PEA

Any joined the Glendale Community College Parent Education program in 2023 with her 2-year-old daughter and her then-2-month-old son. She was surprised to find such a wonderful, positive parenting community with great support. She was even more surprised to learn that these classes were free. Any loves how the instructors teach science-based positive parenting techniques, and she utilizes what she learns in class to build a strong foundation for a healthy relationship with her babies. She is impressed by how much both her children have already grown by attending the classes.

Any values the program so much that she volunteered to join the Board with the hope to help it reach its full potential. Any also works full time as an attorney, but being a mom to her two precious babies is her favorite title and greatest accomplishment. During her spare time—if that’s even a thing with two babies who are 2 and under—Any and her husband love to take their babies to the zoo.

Anita attended the GCPEA program from 2016-2019 with her first daughter and found the program to be absolutely amazing. She is thrilled to return with her second daughter and has joined the board to be more involved and give back to the program. Anita's passions include fitness and nutrition and she practices as a registered dietitan.

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Christy learned about the GCPEA program through a mom group. And as a first time mother, she was trying to find support and a community. Christy and her daughter were thrilled to discover free classes that gave many opportunities for learning and socialization. Christy volunteered to join the Board as a way to give back to the program, as it continues to help build a strong foundation for children’s growth and development.

Christy holds a nursing degree which she obtained through Glendale Community College and Azusa Pacific University. In our free time, our family loves to go to Disneyland.

Veronica, a dedicated advocate for families and children, recently joined GCPEA as the PEPOR Editor. Combining her legal background and personal experience as a mother, she is eager to contribute to the organization's mission of providing comprehensive support and resources to parents and caregivers.

Veronica, a graduate of the University of West Los Angeles, School of Law, holds a Juris Doctorate and a Bachelor of Science in Sociology with a minor in Law and Society from the University of California, Riverside. Her academic background equips her with a solid foundation of knowledge and experience that she applies to her work. Balancing her professional pursuits with the joys of motherhood, she is a proud mom to a 2-year-old son and a 2-month-old daughter.

With a deep commitment to positively impacting her community, Veronica is excited to contribute to GCPEA's efforts to empower families by nurturing the growth and development of young children. The program provides opportunities for socialization, early childhood education, and skill development in a supportive environment. Veronica is proud to be part of an organization with such a rich history and commitment to empowering families.

Anastasia began attending parenting classes with her 1.5-year-old daughter, Sasha, at Glendale City College in the summer of 2023. Anastasia firmly believes that these classes are highly beneficial for enhancing children's communication skills and socialization before they enter childcare or preschool programs. Additionally, it provides an excellent opportunity for mothers who are caring for their children to break away from the home environment and enjoy a pleasant public setting.

Yvonne Cuaresma is a Filipina-American who was born in Saudi Arabia and has spent most of her life in Glendale. Before the pandemic, she lived in New York City. Yvonne is extremely passionate about food, sustainability, and her daughter.

Her daughter, Hazeleigh, is 22 months old, and they both enjoy spending time outdoors. Yvonne hosts "Babes and Babies Glendale" in Glendale and is also a Fit4mom instructor.

Arineh joined the GCPEA Board as PEPOR Editor in the 2018-19 academic year and currently holds the position.

She joined the Glendale College Parent Education Program in 2017 as a first-time mom with her then one-month-old daughter. Prior to having their daughter, Arineh and her husband Arabo, did extensive research on various mental health resource websites about healthy parenting practices. It was in this research effort that they found the GCPEA program.

Arineh believes in today’s world, parenting is more than pulling from one’s parents life experiences. She believes to raise a healthy and happy child; one must also learn from peers and teachers specialized in early childhood development and it is here at Glendale College Parent Education program that she has found that community. Arineh hopes by taking part in this community dynamic, her child will be a physically, mentally, and socially strong member of our community as well as those communities in her future endeavors. She is grateful for the GCPEA program and has seen the benefits this program has had on her daughter’s behavior, socialization capabilities and over-all academic skill. Arineh never misses the opportunity to encourage all parents with children 0 to five years to attend this Parent Ed program. Joining the GCPEA board as the PEPOR editor felt like the next step in promoting this program and its far-reaching benefits to the community.

Arineh holds a BA in Business Administration. She worked for 10 years as the executive assistant to the owner of one of Iran’s largest companies, Hacoupian Clothing Industries. While working, she volunteered as a teacher in a child development program offered through the Church of Iran studying Human Behavior with a focus on Mental Health. Arineh was also a dedicated singer in their church choir group. Given her history with mental health, Arineh began working for the Department of Mental Health of LA County when she moved to the Glendale area.

Professional photography has always been a passion for Arineh - a passion that started when she was a teenager. Amongst her editorial duties on the GCPEA board, she has volunteered to photograph the GCPEA events.

As recommended by a neighbor, Jacqueline began attending GCC Parent Education Classes with her then 9 month old son. She immediately fell in love with the community there, both for herself and for her son. The parent program helped connect her to other moms, new and experienced, in a setting that is also safe and beneficial to her son. Inspired by her son's growth in the program, Jacqueline became a board member in 2024. She hopes to enhance the program through funding and community involvement.

When she is not engaged with the board, Jacqueline is a Family Therapist who specializes in Childrens' Mental Health. She and her family enjoy traveling and all things food, especially eating food while traveling!