In This Informes:

• Two Legends Ricardo 'El Tigre" Pena and Coach John Beam
• MNC Open Arms, Open Heart
• Creating Better Spaces to Learn and Grow
• MNC Posada: A Celebration Across Generations
• Father Warriors: Growing Stronger Families Together

As 2025 ended San Francisco and Oakland lost two great warriors. May their lives and lessons live on and thrive in those they touched…Ricardo and his wife Connie, has long been the heart and soul of San Francisco Mission District's Latino Indigenous culture, dance and spirit. Ricardo and Connie own and operate Mixcoatl, a Mexican gift shop in the Mission

John Beam - Coached, taught and mentored thousands of Oakland and Bay Area men and women at Skyline High School and Laney College, until his untimely shooting murder. His legacy is legend and he earned the title "Godfather of Oakland" 

Ricardo ‘Tigre’ Pena - Heartbeat of the Mission

• https://eltecolote.org/content/en/ricardo-el-tigre-pena-obit/

• https://missionlocal.org/2025/12/sf-mission-ricardo-pena-el-tigre/

Coach John Beam - Godfather of Oakland



• https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/college/article/john-beam-celebration-oakland-what-life-21284852.php

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1O32JY_jEyM

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When families receive support through MNC Open Arms, it’s often at a moment when stability feels fragile. For families participating in our Shallow Subsidy for Families program, the holidays can be especially stressful, balancing housing costs while trying to create a sense of normalcy for their children.

Through MNC Open Arms and the generosity of our community, several families received essential items and meaningful gifts this season. More than presents, this support offered relief, dignity, and the reassurance that they were not navigating difficult moments alone.



MNC Open Arms exists to respond quickly when families need it most, helping prevent temporary financial strain from becoming long-term instability. This is what it looks like to show up, not just during the holidays, but whenever families need a steady hand.



To learn more about MNC Open Arms or how to support this work, visit mncsf.org or contact Mariana Romero at mariana.romero@mncsf.org.

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Thanks to support from the Mimi and Peter Haas Fund, MNC was able to bring new art supplies, learning materials, and play equipment into our early education classrooms. These resources help create safer and more engaging environments where children can explore, express themselves, and develop the skills they need to thrive.



Support like this strengthens the everyday experiences of children across our early education campuses and helps ensure classrooms are places where learning feels joyful, creative, and secure.

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This year, MNC brought together seniors, parents, children, and youth for our first intergenerational Posada, a celebration rooted in connection, tradition, and community.



Families from MNC Healthy Aging & Disability Services, the Family Resource Center, and Early Care & Education gathered to share simple but meaningful moments: creating art together, taking festive photos, enjoying tamales and hot chocolate, and laughing side by side. For many, it was a rare opportunity to slow down and experience the holidays across generations.

The celebration reached its joyful peak during the piñata, a moment that invited everyone, young and old, to release the worries of the past year and welcome the season with hope, laughter, and renewal.

This Posada reflected what MNC strives to create every day: spaces where people of all ages feel connected, valued, and supported as part of one community.

Story by:

Joana Mattero

HADS Program Manager

joana.mattero@mncsf.org Tel: 415-206-7752 x 2901

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This season, 15 fathers completed the latest Father Warriors series, a space designed for reflection, growth, and connection. Over ten sessions, participants explored what it means to show up as nurturing fathers and supportive partners, learning tools for communication, emotional awareness, and parenting rooted in respect rather than fear.

What made this graduation especially meaningful was the way families were woven into the moment. Partners honored the fathers with flowers, recognizing the growth they had witnessed at home, while fathers thanked their families for walking alongside them throughout the journey. The celebration reflected what Father Warriors is about at its core: strengthening the entire family, not just the individual.

For many participants, the program became a rare and trusted space to be vulnerable.

“This program felt like a roadmap for my life,” shared Juan. “It helped me see where I needed to grow, not just as a parent, but as a person.”

Partners also spoke about the impact they saw beyond the sessions.

“Since my husband started attending Father Warriors, I’ve seen him happier, more patient, and more present with our children,” shared Raquel. “The way we communicate as a family has changed.”



Programs like Father Warriors remind us that investing in parents is an investment in family stability, healthy relationships, and the well-being of children. MNC is proud to continue supporting fathers and families as they grow together.

Story by:

Efrain Sandoval

Fatherhood and Family Engagement Coordinator

efrain.sandoval@mncsf.org Tel: 415-206-7752 x 2050

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