I’m incredibly proud to share something that is very close to my heart. ❤️
Padres Unidos is more than a nonprofit to me — it’s part of my family’s legacy. My mom, Patricia Huerta, founded the organization with a belief that has guided our work from the beginning: Successful families build successful communities.
Today, that legacy is being carried forward by my sister, Dr. Patty Huerta, and an amazing team of people committed to strengthening families and creating opportunities throughout our community.
Every year, Padres Unidos serves more than 5,000 children, parents, caregivers, and community members through early childhood education and school readiness, parent and family education, community resources and support, programs for families impacted by incarceration, and community leadership development.
What began with a mother’s desire to help families overcome barriers has grown into an organization touching thousands of lives every year — and I couldn’t be prouder of what my mom started and what my sister and the Padres Unidos family continue to build.
And now, I’m asking my friends, family, and community to help us continue that legacy. 💛🧡 #TogetherWeBelongOC#PadresUnidos#SuccessfulFamiliesBuildSuccessfulCommunities
After immigrating from Mexico in the late 1990s, Jose and Maria worked tirelessly to build a better life for their four children by starting and operating their own business. During those demanding years, their oldest son became involved in a gang, and the family experienced one of the most difficult chapters of their lives. Heartbroken but determined to break the cycle, Jose and Maria turned to Padres Unidos for support. Through parenting education, encouragement, and a caring community, they strengthened their parenting skills, rebuilt family relationships, and renewed their hope for the future. They discovered that lasting change is possible when families are surrounded by support, opportunity, and a sense of belonging. Their perseverance paid off. Today, Jose and Maria are active Padres Unidos Community Worker at Chapman award volunteers who continue to give back to their community, and all of their children have attended college and pursued their own paths in life. Their family's journey is a testament to the transformative power of community, education, resilience, and the belief that families thrive through support and inclusion.
At Padres Unidos, we believe that successful families build successful communities. For more than 25 years, we have partnered with parents from Orange County's diverse communities to build stronger families through education, support, and leadership development. By empowering parents, nurturing children, and cultivating community leaders, we are creating a more connected, compassionate, and inclusive Orange County where every family is valued, every voice matters, and everyone belongs.