Our Story
In October 1942, a well-used Ford coupe came rattling down East 20th Street bringing Dan Genung, fresh out of divinity school in Chicago, and his wife, Frances, to Los Angeles. Their main goal was to establish a church. And they did. The
original House of Prayer for All Peoples was chartered in May of 1946. Until 1964, the church and center worked as a single entity, as one of seven mission centers in the US sponsored by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), which is headquartered in Indianapolis. In 1964, the Community Center and Church became separate entities..
“SIILK was founded by a group of professional and dedicated women in 1996. Their vision was to reach out and help each other and extend their efforts into their local communities. Our founding leaders identified the need to enhance personal growth and development in underserved African-American communities in the Greater Los Angeles area extending throughout the Southern California region. We recognize the value of helping others and giving back to our communities.”
Our neighborhood has changed from Japanese-American, to African-American, to Latinx. But we continue to serve people of all ages and races. Even through COVID 19, our doors remained open, providing hunger relief for families and older adults, emergency rental relief, and preventing learning loss for school-age youth.
Help children succeed at each stage of development
Strengthen and support individuals and families; and build community
Provide job training and create job opportunities
Help seniors stay active and engaged.
Founding Members
Lois J. Buckman
Melrita Evans-Fortson
Carolyn Jenkins
Delois Leonard
Imani Robinson
Debra Williams
Advisory Board
Lois J. Buckman
Delois Leonard
All Peoples’ work is guided by the following deeply-held values:
Acceptance
We unconditionally welcome and accept all people at our center regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, faith, ethnicity, disability, or gender.
Empowerment
We seek to help the community to meet its own needs and overcome its own challenges. We seek to empower our participants of all ages to take a leadership role through our programs and in their community.
Unity
Through all our actions and programs, we seek to unify and strengthen the community, bring people from different backgrounds, races, religions, orientations, and ethnicities closer together, and bring about understanding and acceptance of differences.
Equality
We treat all people equally. Equality and equal opportunities are promoted in all programs. We ask All Peoples’ participants to demand equal opportunities and equality in all aspects of their lives and in all settings.
Respect
We seek to teach self-respect and respect for others, and staff and volunteers show respect for the community and community members who they work alongside.
Self-determination
Through all our actions and our programs, we teach self-determination, create opportunities for leadership development, and inspire individuals to expect the best in themselves and in others.
Community-Centered Mission
We develop and seek out new services and programs by listening closely to and helping meet the realized and unrealized needs of the community.
Effectiveness
We regularly evaluate our programs and services to ensure that they are consistent with our values and our mission, including that they are meeting the community’s needs and helping community members to fulfill their goals.
Leadership
We seek to help shape and realize a collective vision for all people to lead healthy, whole, connected and fulfilled lives. All Peoples’ legacy as a proactive and forward-looking force in the community continues to propel us.
Collaboration
We work and support one another and our partners to accomplish our common goals. We realize that even though there may be disagreement, we cooperate, compromise, and listen to each other and our partners to gain new perspectives, make good decisions, and learn together.
Adopted by All Peoples Board of Directors September 2008.
Board of Directors
We proudly celebrate All Peoples Community Center’s over 80 years of service to South Los Angeles. In partnership with community residents, All Peoples administers effective programs and services that reduce food insecurity, lessen houselessness, protect victims of domestic violence, improve education, enhance financial literacy, increase self-efficacy, and promote self-determination. Thanks to the tireless devotion and long stewardship of retired Executive Director, Sandra Bryant (1983-2023), and thoughtful leadership of outgoing Board Chair, Christine Galligani (2021-2023), All Peoples remains poised to grow and adapt to our community’s ever-changing needs. We are grateful for their dedication and inspired by their rich legacy, a legacy that is well placed in the very capable hands of All Peoples’ new Executive Director, Brandy Muñiz, and her hard-working staff. All Peoples thrives on the dedication of our sponsors, donors, and volunteers. On behalf of the All Peoples Community Center Board, I invite you to be part of our mission of providing life-changing opportunities. Reach out, schedule a tour, support, and volunteer. There is much work to be done. Thank you for your generosity and support!
Phreda Devereaux
Chairperson
Director, Head of Global Corporate & Investment Banking Compliance
MUFG Americas
Terry Kim
Vice Chairperson
Government Relations & Advocacy Specialist
Harry Steinway
Treasurer
Retired CFO
Farheen Shaikh
Secretary
HR Business Partner
Social Media Platform
Bradley Blackbum
Director
Managing Director
Q Office Solutions
David Cristales
Director
Business Insights & Analytics
Capital Group
Chris Dorsey
Director
President and CEO
Disciples Home Missions of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Dr. Yanira Hernandez
Director
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Private Practice Owner
Pa’lante Therapy, Inc.
Aileen Liao
Director
Managing Partner
Good Reason Collective
Ricardo Mendoza
Director
Chief Business Development Officer
Coalition for Responsible Community Development
Hyeyoung Park-Tarin
Director
Vice President
Advertising Sales & Partnerships
NBCUniversal
Richie Sanchez
Director
Regional Minister PSWR
Christian Church (DOC)
Carly Searcy
Director
Investment Operations Global Results
Capital Group
Adrian Véliz
Director
Principal, World-Bridge Consultants
Senior Program Manager, Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation
Tony Zhao
Director
Attorney
Littler Mendelson
Executive Director
Brandy Muñiz joined the All Peoples Community Center as Executive Director in July 2023. She is humbled and honored to join the All Peoples community and team. She looks forward to working and enhancing the organization’s programs and efforts. As well as continuing the inspirational and impressive legacy of Saundra Bryant. With an open mind and heart, a willingness to learn, and a commitment to uphold All Peoples and Saundra’s values, she comes to All Peoples ready to serve.
Message from Brandy
As the new Executive Director, I aim to stabilize our centers work, increase staff resources, and deepen our impact. Let’s continue adapting to our community’s evolving needs making All Peoples, and its service approach and outcomes, a household name. Let’s celebrate our successes, overcome barriers, and embrace the exciting opportunities ahead. ¡Mil Gracias!
Administration
Saundra Bryant
Executive Director
Vacant
Accounting Assistant to Uzany Muteb
Monica Hernandez
Maintenance
Shalanda Mays
Executive Assistant to Saundra Bryant
Genesis Ramos
Accounting Assistant to Uzany Muteb
Eduardo Hernandez
Maintenance
Uzany Muteb
Accountant
Litzy Fernandez
Receptionist
Administration
Brandy Muñiz
Executive Director
Vacant
Accounting Assistant
Hosffman Meza
Data Manager
Monica Hernandez
Maintenance
Shalanda Mays
Development Director
Genesis Ramos
Accounting Assistant
Alexis Torres
Receptionist
Eduardo Hernandez
Maintenance
Uzany Muteb
Senior Accountant
Briana Torres
Accounting Assistant
Susana Palacios
Receptionist
FamilySource Center
Julio Ramos
Director
Sonia Figueroa
Case Manager
Yadira Adan
WorkSource Career Coach
William Moreno
Family Resource Navigator
Yvette Sanchez
YouthSource Case Manager
Jocelyn Ramirez
College Advisor
Leticia Ortiz-Gonzales
Program Manager
Isbella Torres
Case Manager
Tabita Escobar Pepin
Financial Coach
Jessica Vargas Munguia
Family Resource Navigator
Monserrat Cortez
College Advisor
Perla Valencia
College Advisor
Tania Lopez
Supervisor
Vacant
Housing Stability Advisor
Jose Quintanar
Family Resource Navigator
Janeet Rodriguez
Family Resource Navigator
Diana Parra
College Advisor
Eugenia Ventura
Outreach
Youth Programs
Deisy Hernandez
Director
Susana Palacios
Youth Coordinator – 4th to 5th Grade
Juliana Vargas Munguia
Youth Coordinator - Washington 722 and Dunbar / SYEP
Erick Moreno
Youth Coordinator - 8th to 12th Grade
Yessica Reyes
Youth Coordinator - 1st to 3rd Grade
Victor Perez
Youth Coordinator - 6th to 7th Grade
Sonia Pedroza
Youth Coordinator - Adams and Central
Food Security Department
Capri Downs
Food Security Manager
Jocelyn Ramirez
Community Farm Facilitator
Agustin Najera
Food Program Site Supervisor
Vacant
Food Program Driver
Erick Montenegro
Senior Food Program Delivery Assistant
Partner Agency Staff
Blanca Aldrete
International Institute Site Coordinator
Evelyn Flores
LAUSD PSA Counselor
Fiscal Responsibility
Our board of directors oversees our fiscal health. The Finance Committee reports to them at every bi-monthly board meeting, and a complete report of our finances (including endowment and trust funds) is sent yearly to all board members. An external audit is completed once a year too. All Peoples Community Center invites you to review our recent audited financial statements and tax returns:
