Yanira’s Story
Yanira Serrano was a beloved daughter, sister, and friend. She had a gentle spirit that the people around her felt deeply.
At just 18 years old, Yanira’s life was tragically cut short during a mental health crisis, reminding us of the urgent need for understanding and support in mental health care. What should have been a moment of care, understanding, and safety became a loss that changed our family—and our community—forever.
What followed is something we will always carry with us. Our community showed genuine compassion, strength, and unwavering support that held us together when everything felt broken. People stood by us, lifted us up, and reminded us that we were not alone. That love has never left us, and we remain forever grateful for it.
As time passed, the grief didn’t disappear—but it began to take shape alongside reflection. We found ourselves asking difficult questions about how we care for one another, about mental health, and about what it truly means to show up for someone in need. This reflection inspires us to grow and to support each other better.
Her story stays with us. It reminds us how much compassion matters, how important it is to truly see one another, and how much work there is to do to better support those who are struggling. Her life calls us to action and compassion in our community.
"We believe that education is a gift—one that should never be out of reach for any young person in our community."
A Commitment to Our Community
In her memory, we created the Yanira Serrano Scholarship Fund—turning our loss into something that continues to give. What began as a way to honor Yanira has grown into a community effort grounded in hope and opportunity. Today, we are a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing scholarships to students in Half Moon Bay.
Yanira didn’t get the chance to become who she was meant to be. We carry that with us. And because of it, we are committed to helping others move forward. We support students who show resilience, compassion, and a desire to give back—values that reflect the spirit Yanira left with us.
Yanira’s presence lives on in this work.
In the doors that open.
In the students we support.
In the communities that grow stronger because of them.
"Yanira Serrano Presente"
Mental Health & Healing
At the center of everything we do is a simple truth: mental health matters.
Yanira’s story reminds us that struggles are not always visible, and that no one should have to face them alone. Through this work, we honor her by creating something different—spaces where people feel seen, supported, and valued.
Our scholars receive more than financial support. They become part of a community that believes in them and walks alongside them as they pursue their goals.
OUR VALUES
What Guides Us
Radical Compassion
We believe in the fundamental human right to be truly seen, heard, and supported. Our work is rooted in deep empathy, ensuring that every young person is met with dignity, understanding, and grace, both in their triumphs and in their struggles.
Unyielding Resilience
We honor the profound courage it takes to navigate personal hardships and systemic barriers. Beyond traditional metrics of success, we champion students who demonstrate grit, perseverance, and a fierce dedication to moving forward.
Mental Health Advocacy
We recognize that mental wellness is the foundation of a thriving life. We actively work to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental health, advocating for a culture where seeking help is met with structural support rather than systemic failure.
Educational Equity
We believe that every student deserves the opportunity to grow into who they were meant to be. We take direct action to remove financial roadblocks, ensuring that higher education and ongoing personal development are accessible realities, not exclusive privileges.
Fuerza y Comunidad (Strength & Community)
We draw profound strength from our cultural heritage and the collective power of our community. We believe that true healing and growth do not happen in isolation; we are committed to taking care of our own and uplifting our youth with the unwavering solidarity of familia.
Transformative Action
We refuse to let a profound loss remain just a tragedy. We believe in the power of mobilizing grief into a lasting, systemic legacy. We do not just remember the past; we actively clear the path for the future. Yanira Serrano, Presente.
OUR TEAM
Meet the Board
The passionate individuals who carry Yanira's legacy forward every day.
Tony Serrano
Founder & President
Tony Serrano is a community advocate driven by a simple belief: people deserve support—especially in their most difficult moments. His work focuses on helping families navigate real-life challenges such as housing instability, financial hardship, and access to basic resources, while building trust and connection within the community. In San Mateo County, he has become a consistent presence for those seeking guidance and a path forward. He currently works with St. Vincent de Paul as the Lead Case Manager for the Peninsula Family Resource Center, connecting families to critical resources and services. Tony is a CERT trainer, bilingual Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) instructor, and serves as Vice-Chair of the Health Care for the Homeless and Farmworkers (HCH/FH) Board, where he supports efforts to expand access to care for vulnerable populations. In response to the loss of his sister Yanira during a mental health crisis, Tony co-founded the Yanira Serrano Presente Program in Half Moon Bay, helping reimagine how communities respond to mental health emergencies. This work contributed to the creation of the CARES Team, a community-based, non-police response model focused on care, dignity, and support. He is also the founder of the Yanira Serrano Scholarship Fund, honoring Yanira’s legacy by creating opportunities for students and promoting resilience, compassion, and mental health awareness.
Alice Linsmeier
Founding Member & Community Advocate
Alice Linsmeier is is a Founding Member of the Yanira Serrano Scholarship Fund and a committed community advocate who has been part of this work since the very beginning. Alice is a Organizational & Workforce Development Manager at Equitable Food Initiative (EFI), a nonprofit certification and skill-building organization that seeks to transform agriculture and improve the lives of farmworkers. As part of the Workforce Development team, Alice trains labor-management leadership teams in workplace collaboration and problem-solving skills and supports ongoing learning and communication among workers, managers, growers and EFI. Alice’s greatest teachers were the farmworkers communities she accompanied and worked with for several years in El Salvador. She has continued learning and working alongside farmworker and immigrant communities for the past 30 years in Latin America and the United States. Inspired by popular teachers in the community, she completed a Master’s in International Multicultural Education from the University of San Francisco, earned a Bilingual, Crosscultural Language and Academic Multi-subject (BCLAD) teaching credential and a graduate certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)>
Karen Larson
Secretary
Karen Musegaas Larson has dedicated her work to improving access to healthcare, education, and social services across San Mateo County. As Site Administrator for the RotaCare Coastside Clinic, Karen helped thousands of uninsured patients receive free medical care while coordinating a large network of volunteers. Karen met Tony Serrano during his time as an outstanding volunteer with RotaCare, and came to know Yanira Serrano and her family. These relationships continue to inspire her deep and personal commitment to advancing educational access for Latino youth on the Coastside. She is honored to support the Yanira Serrano Scholarship and its mission to uplift the next generation. In addition to her healthcare leadership, Karen built a meaningful career as an educator, working closely with students with special needs and supporting families and schools in developing individualized education plans. She also founded a private tutoring practice focused on meeting the unique learning needs of children and helping them thrive academically and personally. She holds a B.A. and teaching credential from University of California, Santa Cruz. Her commitment to community wellbeing extended further through her work as a paralegal advocate for survivors of domestic violence and her involvement in local efforts supporting people experiencing homelessness. Karen’s lifelong dedication to service, compassion, and community impact was recognized with her induction into the San Mateo County Women’s Hall of Fame. Now retired, she enjoys flower arranging and savoring morning coffee with her husband at the harbor.
Cecilia Aguirre
Treasurer
Cecilia holds degrees in Education, Psychology, and Family Therapy. She served as co-founder and Finance Director of 5entidos Terapia Organizacional in her native Ecuador. At 5entidos, she applied Systemic Family Therapy concepts to organizational dynamics, leveraging her extensive experience in both mental health care and financial management. Before relocating to the US 13 years ago she continued teaching and her private practice. Before relocating to the U.S. 13 years ago, she maintained an active private practice and teaching career. For the last nine years, Cecilia has served as the Director of the Peninsula Family Resource Center (PFRC) at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in San Mateo County. In this role, she manages the vital link between neighbors in need and volunteer services with a primary focus on responsible fund allocation and strict budgetary oversight.
