Meet Our Board

MIKE YOUNG

Founder

Luckily a new life-saving option became available due to his size. He became the first person at CHLA and the youngest in the world to receive an LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device). The added time given by the LVAD allowed for a donor heart to arrive. Mike was given a heart transplant on March 11, 1996. Throughout these past 26 years, there have been many ups and downs. The life of a transplant patient is a blessing but with this also comes challenges. He has had to endure 9 major surgeries throughout his life. Most recently he had a tricuspid valve replaced and in 2020 he was diagnosed with cancer in both of his kidneys. By the grace of God, he is now cancer-free. Throughout it all, he has continued to have a passion for coaching and advocating for organ donation awareness. A dream of his has always been to launch this non-profit and he is grateful for all the love and support everyone has shown.

MIKE YOUNG

Founder

Michael was diagnosed with mild cardiomyopathy at an early age. At age 14 he became extremely ill and was hospitalized at Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). Doctors informed the family that the only hope for survival was a heart transplant. Throughout his 6 months of waiting in the ICU for a viable donor, Michael experienced many challenges. Luckily a new life-saving option became available due to his size. He became the first person at CHLA and the youngest in the world to receive an LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device). The added time given by the LVAD allowed for a donor heart to arrive. Mike was given a heart transplant on March 11, 1996. Throughout these past 26 years, there have been many ups and downs. The life of a transplant patient is a blessing but with this also comes challenges. He has had to endure 9 major surgeries throughout his life. Most recently he had a tricuspid valve replaced and in 2020 he was diagnosed with cancer in both of his kidneys. By the grace of God, he is now cancer-free. Throughout it all, he has continued to have a passion for coaching and advocating for organ donation awareness. A dream of his has always been to launch this non-profit and he is grateful for all the love and support everyone has shown.

SONYA YOUNG JIMENEZ

Vice President

Sonya is Mike Young's older sister and has two children, Maximus age 13, and Emma Jo age 11. She is also a loving wife to her husband Jay Jimenez. Sonya works with the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks since 1998, working in over 9 recreation facilities and serving various communities throughout LA. She has received her bachelor’s degree in Human Development with a Minor in Women's Studies and a Master’s degree in Public Policy Administration from CSU Long Beach. As a leader of the Emergency Management Division, Sonya was responsible for training the department and community volunteers in emergency preparedness. Her training has included mental health, resiliency, working with people with disabilities, access and functional needs, shelter management, and a variety more. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sonya has helped oversee the sheltering of thousands of unhoused individuals throughout LA City. Serving as the Department Duty Officer and managing the Department Operations Center for over @147 day activation. Currently, she is the Superintendent of Venice Beach and the West Region. Recent accomplishments have been revitalizing the Venice Beach boardwalk by working on the encampment to the home project by working with a variety of city and community partners to clean and house over 170 individuals living along the Venice Beach boardwalk. Working with Mike on this nonprofit board is a labor of love to help other families cope with the stress of organ donation that she and her family once went through.

SONYA YOUNG JIMENEZ

Vice President

Sonya is Mike Young's older sister and has two children, Maximus age 13, and Emma Jo age 11. She is also a loving wife to her husband Jay Jimenez. Sonya works with the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks since 1998, working in over 9 recreation facilities and serving various communities throughout LA. She has received her bachelor’s degree in Human Development with a Minor in Women's Studies and a Master’s degree in Public Policy Administration from CSU Long Beach. As a Lead with the Emergency Management Division, Sonya was responsible for training the department and community volunteers in emergency preparedness. Training in areas such as mental health, resiliency, working with people with disabilities, access and functional needs, shelter management, and a variety more. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sonya has helped oversee the sheltering of thousands of unhoused individuals throughout LA City. Serving as the Department Duty Officer and managing the Department Operations Center for 147 days. Currently, she is the Superintendent of Venice Beach and the West Region. Recent accomplishments have been revitalizing the Venice Beach boardwalk by working on the encampment to the home project by working with a variety of city and community partners to clean and house over 170 individuals living along the Venice Beach boardwalk. Working with Mike on this nonprofit board is a labor of love to help other families cope with the stress of organ donation that she and her family once went through.

RAMON BERNAL

Secretary

Ramon Bernal works for The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks as a Senior Recreation Director at Rio De Los Angeles Park. He's worked in the department for over 25 years which is where he came to know Mike. Ramon and Mike became close friends and also worked together at Glassell Park. Ramon is married to Nicole, and they have three children together, Ashley, Jacob, and Samantha. Ramon serves as a member of the Young at Heart Foundation Board. He brings with him lots of knowledge, compassion, and a willingness to serve.

RAMON BERNAL

Secretary

Ramon Bernal works for The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks as a Senior Recreation Director at Rio De Los Angeles Park. He's worked in the department for over 25 years which is where he came to know Mike. Ramon and Mike became close friends and also worked together at Glassell Park. Ramon is married to Nicole, and they have three children together, Ashley, Jacob and Samantha. Ramon serves as a member of the Young at Heart Foundation Board. He brings with him lots of knowledge, compassion and a willingness to serve.

Marlo (Pardo) Lopez

Board Member

Marlo (Pardo) Lopez is a long-time family friend of the Young Family since the age of two. Mikey and Sonja’s father, Mike Sr. along with his brothers have always been like big brothers to Marlo which she has always considered them to be her second family.

She has been married to her husband Rey Lopez for 29 years, and they share two sons, Demitrius (Alexis) and Christian (Destiny) and one grandson, Logan.

Marlo’s work experience consists of Retail, Workers Comp, Accounts Payable, Facility Management and Administrative/Clerical support. In Nov 2019, Marlo retired from Nestle after 21 years of service which allowed her to spend more time with her new Grandson, Family and Friends. She recently returned back to the workforce by accepting an Accounts Payable position with Aerospace Corp and works remotely.

Due to Marlo’s organization skills and fun caring nature, she has contributed a tremendous amount of her personal time to various fundraising organizations. Since 2009 she sits as a Board Member on the Franklin HS Educational Foundation (a non-profit organization which raises over $$$ annually to provide college bound seniors with scholarships). She has also provided assistance to her parents who host an annual Christmas open house sponsoring St Jude’s Children’s Hospital and participates in their fundraising alumni events for Wilson HS and Garfield HS. Not to mention… Co-hosting her own Class of ‘85 Franklin High School Reunions. On her spare time, she loves to attend and support various school events.

She is honored to be part of this great team and is looking forward to providing assistance to longtime friends Mikey Young and his sister Sonja Young Jimenez build The Young at Heart Foundation, supporting recipients and their families.

Marlo (Pardo) Lopez

Board Member

She has been married to her husband Rey Lopez for 29 years, and they share two sons, Demitrius (Alexis) and Christian (Destiny) and one grandson, Logan.