Meet the KidWorks Alum: Haide Gutierrez
August 19, 2026(Editor’s note: This is the first in a new series called “Meet the KidWorks Alum,” where you have a chance to learn more about the many successful students who graduated… Continue Reading
Author: KidWorks
September 2023 ‘Volunteer of the Month’: Stephan “Buddy” Joe
On a recent Monday in late June, nearly 100 students in grades kindergarten through fifth gathered during our 2023 summer program at the Dan Donahue Center to sing a worship song titled “Fruit of the Spirit.” Volunteer Stephan “Buddy” Joe joined in with just as much enthusiasm as those raising their voices in praise.
What the students probably didn’t know was that our September “Volunteer of the Month” had been working many hours behind the scenes, decorating, setting up, preparing for snack distribution and much more so the summer experience would create lifetime memories.
He also helped with announcements, games and other activities during the June 19 through July 14 summer program.
“Buddy has volunteered nearly every single day during our summer program and stayed throughout each day,” says David Saucedo, a Program Assistant at our Dan Donahue Center.
Adds David, “Seeing him be so determined and hardworking when it came to meeting deadlines and decorating was awesome because it shows how much he cares that the decorations are done just right, but more importantly his dedication to our students.”
Cynthia Gomez, our Youth Lead, says Buddy has been a much-appreciated summer volunteer in other ways, too.
“Buddy has chaperoned our teens during our field trips, performed snack duty and conducted headcounts,” Cynthia says. “He’s very approachable and has a very kind nature that’s earned him the trust of our students and staff.”
Our September honoree lives in Window Rock, Arizona, the capital of the Navajo Nation. At his own expense and with financial help from family and friends, he’s traveled to California the past two years, specifically to support our summer programs.
“The most rewarding aspects of being involved with KidWorks for me is getting to know and develop relationships with the kids and having fun with them, seeing them brighten up when they see me, making new friends with the other volunteers and staff and experiencing life in Santa Ana,” Buddy says. “Another is when kids remembered me from when I was here last year; that’s something I didn’t expect.”
The students let Buddy know he’s recognized and appreciated.
“One time as I was walking back to my Airbnb, which is just a short distance from KidWorks,” Buddy says. “It was at the end of the day and I heard sweet little voices yelling out ‘Hey, I remember you, I know you from KidWorks!’”
He adds, “It was a group of about four or five children playing in their yard. They all ran up to me and started excitedly talking all at once. We talked together for a while; it just goes to show the impact in the community that KidWorks’ volunteers have.”
It’s perfectly natural that Buddy relates so well with our students. His career in education has included work as a preschool teacher, a teacher’s aide and leading classes in the areas of music physical education and hands-on learning.
Our September honoree is a person of deep faith.
“My Catholic faith is of utmost importance to me and is interweaved in everything I do,” Buddy says. “I want to live my life for Christ and do my best to lead others to Him by word and deed. Before volunteering at KidWorks, I hadn’t realized it was a faith-based organization; that was a huge plus!”
Buddy also shares how he likes to spend his leisure time.
“I enjoy reading classics, spirituality books and books about the inner workings of people,” he says. “I learn and practice meditation and mindfulness.”
He adds, “I love anything outdoorsy, like hiking and camping. I love traveling, having been to the Philippines, Mongolia, the arctic part of Canada and Guatemala–not so much as a tourist but as someone open to sharing life with the people I’m visiting. I know the basics of guitar, piano, ukulele and violin.”
As KidWorks celebrates our 30th anniversary, Buddy joins us in having big dreams for our future and the City of Santa Ana.
“My hope for KidWorks is that it continues being a beacon of light in Santa Ana and beyond, actively expressing love for the children and their families,” Buddy says. “My hope for Santa Ana is that the community would work together to create a safer, brighter, and hopeful future for their children.”
With such a positive and inspiring outlook as that, it’s no wonder that Buddy is the perfect KidWorks volunteer.
By Glenn Leibowitz, volunteer writer
Back-to-school drive set for August
KidWorks invites you to join our once a year back-to-school drive to supply students in first grade through high school with the tools they need to start the new school term on solid academic footing.
The KidWorks back-to-school drive runs from August 1 through 7. Of particular need are technology-oriented supplies such as headphones for laptops, flash drives, computer bags and backpacks.
Technology-oriented supplies are especially needed as more and more learning has moved online within the Santa Ana Unified School District.
Schools do not typically provide these essential learning supplies. They must be secured by parents, many of whom have limited incomes and are facing other financial hardships.
You can help support the KidWorks’ back to school drive by selecting from the list of supplies on our Amazon “wish list” page:
Kimberly’s Story
Once upon a time, Kimberly’s journey began at KidWorks Preschool, marking the start of an extraordinary chapter in her life. Thriving alongside her peers, she created lasting memories and deep connections with the staff.
Kimberly embraced various life-changing experiences, such as joining the Youth Leadership Team, participating in College and Career classes to discover her major, and conquering her fear of heights at Yosemite Sierra Summer Camp. KidWorks became her sanctuary—a place filled with happiness, care, and respect for the past 14 years.
As the keynote speaker at KidWorks’ graduation ceremony, Kimberly expressed profound gratitude to the organization and its generous donors. She credited them for shaping her into a resilient, compassionate, and driven individual, ready to face the world’s challenges with unwavering determination.
Now, Kimberly looks forward to her next adventure—studying psychology at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She finds solace in the unwavering support of her KidWorks family, knowing they will continue to be with her every step of the way as she pursues her dreams of becoming a child psychologist and strives to make a positive impact on the world.
Thanks for supporting Kimberly and her classmates on their journey towards meaningful careers and a bright future.
KidWorks launches all-new website
If you haven’t yet had the opportunity, KidWorks invites you to explore our brand-new website at kidworksoc.org.
The new website, launched in September, is a total update to the legacy website, which last had a major overhaul eight years ago.
Here’s some of what you’ll experience on our new website:
- It’s now easier to find exactly what you’re looking for, with site-specific content for students, parents, volunteers and partners.
- Fully bilingual content, reflecting the demographics we serve.
- On-line registration and information for our programs can now be fully accomplished via the website.
- Searchable/interactive calendar for events, programs, volunteer opportunities and more.
- A dynamic, regularly updated home page.
- New, contemporary colors and branding are reflected throughout the site.
“The new website was more than a year in the making and reflected robust input from students, parents, volunteers, partners and KidWorks’ team members,” says Beckie White, our Manager of Marketing & Communications.
Beckie adds, “We also incorporated technology advances into the website, along with making the site more interactive. For instance, our upcoming events, blogs and social media feeds automatically populate on our home page. The calendar can also be filtered by area of interest/audience, i.e., families, volunteers and youth.”
Beckie said one goal is that students become so comfortable using the website that it will encourage their continued engagement with KidWorks as they progress in life academically, in their careers and hopefully as KidWorks supporters/volunteers.
Like any good website, ours will always be evolving and improving.
“Our next phase is creating specific portals for students, parents and board members where they can access information specifically for them,” Beckie says. “For instance, students will be able to access scholarship information and parents can sign-up for classes and learn other ways to get involved with us.”
KidWorks welcomes feedback about the new website, which can be provided by messaging us through the “Contact Us” link on the home page.
Foundation For Success Luncheon Honors Straders
KidWorks proudly announces that longtime supporters Camille and Tim Strader, Jr., are our 2023 Foundation for Success Luncheon honorees and recipients of the Dan Donahue Leadership award.
KidWorks 17th annual Foundation for Success luncheon takes place, Thursday, Nov. 9, at the DoubleTree Santa Ana.
“The list of Camille and Tim’s contributions to KidWorks over the years are too many to calculate,” says David Benavides, our CEO/Executive Director. “They’ve been generous with time, talent and donations, along with trusted leadership counsel.”
Adds David, “This very special, once-a-year award recognizes KidWorks’ most fervent supporters who share our passion and commitment to provide educational opportunities and life-changing experiences for students growing up in some of Orange County’s most overlooked neighborhoods.”
The Straders join a list of remarkable Foundation for Success honorees that over the years have included the late Terry Donahue, legendary UCLA head football coach; longtime KidWorks’ supporters Heidi and Ruben Mendoza; Steven L. Craig, President & CEO of Craig Realty; and David A. Pyle, Chief Executive Officer of American Career College and Executive Chairman of the Board of West Coast University.
We’re honored to share some of what makes Camille and Tim so deserving of this prestigious Foundation for Success Luncheon honor.
Camille Strader
Camille is a founding member of KidWorks Women, an auxiliary group committed to furthering the KidWorks’ mission. For nearly 10 years, Camille has been a classroom volunteer, positively influencing numerous students with her caring nature and consistent presence. She was named our April 2018 “Volunteer of the Month” and was selected as a 2018 “Orange County Spirit of Volunteerism” award winner.
Tim Strader, Jr.
Tim, President of Starpointe Ventures, has been involved with KidWorks since 2015. He’s served as a member of the KidWorks Board of Directors since 2019. Tim and Camille also serve on our Festival of Chefs committee and Tim has previously served on our fund development committee. He also volunteers as a mentor for students in our college and career programs. He always has our students and families best interests at heart and is eager to help whenever asked.
The keynote speaker at the luncheon is Grant Lottering, a cyclist who defied death and achieved extraordinary feats. He’s continuously astounding both the medical profession and audiences by going beyond the limits of what is thought to be possible. In addition to his extreme-endurance cycling, Grant is an author, UHSM (Unite Health Share Ministries™ ambassador athlete and international speaker.
Fritzi Valladares: Born to run
For someone who once professed to “dread” running during her high school physical education classes, KidWorks alumni Fritzi Valladares has learned to fully embrace one of KidWorks life lessons: “Welcome new experiences.”
In February, Fritzi ran the 2023 Surf City Half Marathon in Huntington Beach. She’s currently training for the Orange County Half Marathon in May.
This former KidWorks student first experienced the joy of running as an early member of the KidWorks running club, formed in 2013 (although currently not active).
Fritzi was in high school at the time and had been attending KidWorks since fourth grade. She stayed enrolled in our programs through high school. We helped her pursue a college career as the first in her family to do so.
Today, as KidWorks celebrates our 30th anniversary, Fritzi is another example of a successful KidWorks student alumnus who has gone on to a successful career.
Fritzi is a program supervisor within the intensive services department at Olive Crest, a non-profit dedicated to preventing child abuse. With the encouragement of KidWorks staff, she graduated from Azusa Pacific University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in social work and in 2018 with a master’s degree in social work from the university.
On occasion, she’s returned to KidWorks during alumni gatherings and last spring she spoke to our high school students during a career day event.
Fritzi is a perfect example of someone who reflects KidWorks’ core values: Belief, hope, perseverance, confidence and impact.
Fritzi says her time at KidWorks—including as a member of the running club —taught her life lessons she carries with her to this day.
“KidWorks taught me the importance of being confident and knowing that I could accomplish anything that I set my mind to,” Fritzi says.
She adds, “I was able to set the goal of running this February’s half-marathon after almost 10 years since running my last half-marathon. This showed me that I could accomplish any goal I set my mind to.”
Julie Herrick was active in KidWorks beginning in 2001 and was a coach/leader involved with the KidWorks running club in 2013. She’s now an administrator at the Connected Learning Lab at the University of California, Irvine.
“I’ve personally experienced how powerful it is to set a big, challenging goal and then reach it through hard work, over time,” Julie says. “I remember Fritzi as an active part of our group and being impressed with her and the other runners’ perseverance and positive attitudes, even as the runs got longer and harder.”
Julie was excited to learn about Fritzi’s successful completion of the Surf City Half Marathon:
“Fritzi, congratulations on 10 years and another half-marathon!” Julie says. “What an accomplishment and a great way to celebrate that milestone!”
Fritzi offers her thanks to Julie and the other running club coaches/leaders for the lessons the experience brought to her life: “It was a great and life-changing experience. It made me fall in love with running, and to continue to run.”
The Bruce Springsteen song, “Born to Run” isn’t about Fritzi, yet it’s an apt description of the many KidWorks experiences that have so positively shaped her life.
By Glenn Leibowitz, volunteer writer
February 2023 ‘Volunteer of the Month’: Amanda Zimmerman
Amanda Zimmerman, our February 2023 “Volunteer of the Month,” first caught the volunteering bug in middle school. She hasn’t looked back since.
She’s now an “all in” volunteer at KidWorks.
Amanda is a retail real estate development professional at KZ Companies, LLC, in Irvine, California. She graduated from the University of San Diego in 2018 with degrees in finance and real estate.
At KZ Companies, Amanda’s responsibilities as a Senior Associate include working with the acquisitions team, sourcing ground-up retail development projects on the West Coast.
It’s a big job, yet Amanda is as fully committed to KidWorks as she is to the real estate profession she’s always loved.
Amanda first began volunteering when she was in middle school.
“I grew up spending my after school and summer hours volunteering from a young age,” Amanda recalls. “In middle and high school, I was involved with the National Charity League. It was there I gained a true love and appreciation for giving back to the community.”
“In my senior year of high school, I received an award for most hours volunteered out of our organization. I loved serving food at the soup kitchen and reading books and tutoring at an underprivileged school.”
She adds, “For the past four years, I’ve served on the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Dieguito Jr. Board. We planned several main events per year.”
Amanda’s partnership with KidWorks includes serving on the committee that led last September’s third annual Rose’ on the Bay event, which raised $25,000 for KidWorks’ programs. Over 100 women attended—twice the amount who participated in 2021. Guests enjoyed food, wine and live music while relaxing at the scenic Newport Harbor.
Amanda is also active in Young Professionals for KidWorks, a volunteer group of almost two dozen individuals in their 20s and 30s who help at our events and after school programs, recruit other volunteers and get the word out about KidWorks via social media and networking.
“Amanda is always the first to raise her hand to volunteer,” says Melissa Ley Marshall, Co-Chair of the group and a First Vice President at CBRE in Newport Beach. “She volunteers and engages both her personal and professional network to raise awareness of KidWorks and the young professionals group.”
Amanda has also played a role in introducing many new people to KidWorks, says Lisa Gels, our Associate Director of Development.
“Amanda has championed multi-generational attendance at our events, with lots of mothers and their adult daughters attending,” Lisa says. “This very often leads to additional partnership with us for years to come.”
Adds Lisa, “Amanda is a delight to work with. She does everything with a positive attitude and welcoming smile, and she follows through on anything she commits to.”
“It’s truly amazing to work with Amanda; we love that she’s so deeply involved. It’s clear she also has a true heart for our children and youth.”
While not busy helping out with KidWorks events, our Volunteer of the Month also enjoys times with our students.
“I absolutely love being in person with kids, whether that’s reading, tutoring, playing games, or just being there as a mentor,” Amanda says. “My hope is that KidWorks continues to help kids from pre-school though adulthood to accomplish their goals in education and careers.”
Amanda was first drawn to KidWorks when she attended our Festival of OC Chefs event in 2022.
“Many organizations that are in need of help and volunteers,” Amanda says. “However, from the moment that I walked into this event and listened to the speakers, I knew that KidWorks was an organization that I wanted to give my time and resources to.”
“I felt connected with the mission of KidWorks and how it’s a faith-based organization. Everyone that attended was caring, ambitious and enthusiastic about the importance of education.”
Amanda invites others to share the joy she experiences at KidWorks.
“Come to one of KidWorks’ events, and you’ll want to attend them all,” Amanda says. “KidWorks provides a sense of community that’s like nothing I’ve experienced before. It’s family.
“By volunteering with KidWorks you’ll have an opportunity to make an impact on a child’s life and also teach valuable skills.”
We are deeply grateful that Amanda is such an integral part of the community we call KidWorks. We’re so glad she’s “all in” with us in every way.
By Glenn Leibowitz, volunteer writer
We invite employees and professionals at any stage in their career along with companies/organizations to learn more about ways to volunteer and partner with KidWorks.
Meet the Teacher: Crystal Velazquez
Title: Program Lead, Townsend Street Center
Grades: Teaches kindergarten through eighth grade
Time with KidWorks: Since kindergarten as a student; since May 2022 as a team member
Favorite KidWorks memory: Camping in Yosemite as a student
Crystal Velazquez has witnessed a significant part of KidWorks’ 30-year history firsthand.
Our February 2023 “Meet the Teacher” honoree first experienced KidWorks when her mother, Maria, enrolled her in our kindergarten. Maria first became involved in our Parent Advisory Council in the early 2000s.
Crystal attended KidWorks from those early kindergarten days until she graduated from high school. In addition to enjoying a range of our programs, she also served as a volunteer while in middle school during our summer programs, working with the younger children.
Today, Crystal is a Program Lead at our Townsend Street Center. She’s also enrolled in Santa Ana College, majoring in nursing.
Karina Flores, Townsend Street Site Director, says Crystal is the perfect fit to be a program lead.
“What makes Crystal such a great asset to our Townsend Street Center is that she’s a student alumnus along with growing up on Townsend Street her entire life.”
“Crystal has seen firsthand the struggles our students face and has lived in the same environment. Crystal loves to have conversations and connect with the students. She has a very sweet and gentle approach that’s very inviting. She encourages the students and sets high expectations for them.”
Adds Karina, “Crystal has a deeply personal and relatable way of connecting with our students because she has been in their place. As a college student, she sets an example for her students, showing them that college is an achievable goal regardless of the current struggles in their community.”
This ability to relate to her Townsend Street students is deeply rooted in Crystal’s own KidWorks experience.
“I love my job; I love every part of it,” Crystal says. “When I was a KidWorks student, it didn’t feel like an after school program; it felt like my second home. My job doesn’t feel like a job because the kids make me feel at home. I love being around them at the center.”
Crystal has a clear vision of what she strives to accomplish in her classroom:
“When I’m in the classroom, my focus is helping the students grow mentally, spiritually and as leaders,” she says. “I want them to be the best version of themselves and to do amazing things in life.”
Karina says the fact that Crystal is a true veteran of KidWorks pays big dividends in the classroom.
“Crystal knows KidWorks’ culture,” Karina says. “She understands the expectations we have for our students and the potential we see in each child.”
“She personally received love and care from our staff and is therefore able to give that same love and care to students now that she is staff member herself.”
Crystal is especially grateful to Karina as well as Jessica Ellis, our Dan Donahue Site Director, for walking alongside her all those years as a student at KidWorks, and to Brenda Trujillo Sanchez, our College & Career Manager, who guided her through the college application process and is an ongoing resource as she pursues her degree.
“The Townsend Street Center will always have a special place in my heart because that’s where I grew up with Karina and Jessica,” Crystal says. “I love that I am giving back to this community and the center I once attended at a young age.”
In her spare time, Crystal enjoys spending time with her 18-month-old daughter, Delilah. She’s already planning to enroll her in our state-licensed preschool when her child is old enough. Crystal also enjoys listening to music.
Despite the challenges of growing up in a family that struggled economically and in an underserved community, Crystal demonstrates limitless possibilities to each student she meets.
Crystal is the perfect example of a KidWorks student, alumni and team member who leads by example, with faith and love. We are so glad she is part of KidWorks as we embark on our next 30 years.
By Glenn Leibowitz, volunteer writer
If you would you like to personally say “thanks” to Crystal for the way she is developing our students, please email her at: crystal.velazquez@kidworksoc.org
(Editor’s note: This is the sixth installment in our monthly feature called “Meet the Teacher,” where readers have a chance to know each of our dedicated educators a little better.)
Youth Lock-in: All fun, No Sleep
There’s a good reason our annual Youth Lock-in isn’t called the annual Youth Sleepover. That’s because from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. starting Friday, Jan. 13, no one got a wink of sleep. And that’s all by design.
The 90 students in grades six through 12 who attended wouldn’t have it any other way. They were from all three of our centers, along with the friends they’d invited from the community.
Lock-in is a KidWorks tradition that students hear about and look forward to from their earliest years at KidWorks.
Here’s just a sampling of what the youth experienced at our Dan Donahue Center:
- Group games
- Spa
- Karaoke
- Videogames
- Sports/gym time
- Raffles
- Meals and treats
- Prayer time
- Mental health panel
Here’s how two students described their experience:
Fabian A., 12th grade: “The lock-in was special. The games, food and activities were all fun to be part of.”
Yulissa R., sixth grade: “The lock-in was special because we had the spa room. We don’t usually get to go to a spa.”
“The youth lock-in is an important part of KidWorks’ focus on developing youth; it’s one of the few opportunities we have to really bring all the teens together in one place and create that sense of community that can be elusive in the daily hustle and bustle of our programming,” says Cynthia Gomez, our Youth Lead.
And while having fun is a big part of the lock-in, there’s also a serious side.
“One of the components we always include is ‘real talk,’” Cynthia says. “This includes a mental health panel where students can safely ask questions of adults whom they trust.”
Adds Cynthia, “The panel typically includes at least one faith partner—a youth pastor, or a therapist who is also a Christian or a youth leader.”
Cynthia says the 2023 lock-in was especially meaningful since it coincides with the 30th anniversary of KidWorks’ opening our doors.
With that in mind, the students spent time with David Benavides, our CEO/Executive Director, who recounted his many years at KidWorks since his start as an intern.
“David really connected with the youth, since his presence showed that it doesn’t matter where you begin. With perseverance, a vision and support, our dreams are possible,” Cynthia says. “It’s inspiring for the students to see how David and the staff absolutely cherish KidWorks and believe in our vision and mission,” she adds.
Because developing leaders is such a strong focus at KidWorks, Cynthia made sure the youth were a big part of planning all elements of the lock-in.
“We always include our teens in leading the pre-planning as well as the day-of event,” Cynthia says.
“We also invite them to help set up on the days leading up to the event and clean-up afterward,” she says. “Two students even served as emcees during the 12-hours everyone spent together.”
KidWorks is grateful to everyone who partnered with us this year:
- Chick-fil-A’s Bristol Street, Santa Ana, location for providing the evening dinner.
- Pepsi for providing breakfast.
- PTS Marketing for providing 30th anniversary apparel and memorabilia.
- Vivante Newport Center, for donating Disney tickets to two families.
- Mental health panelists: Roland de la Cruz from Templo Calvario, Santa Ana, faith panelist; Rachel Lopez, nurse; Cristina (Crissy) Coyle, mental health counselor, mental health panelist; Taking Back the Neighborhood’s Sherman Cocroft and Darron McIntosh, fitness and nutrition panelists; Nancy Gale, business mentor and owner of JAMAH LLC and KidWorks’ staff members Karina Flores, Townsend Street Site Director and Jessica Ellis, Dan Donahue Center Site Director.
- KidWorks alumni: Cecilia Angel, Cynthia Espinoza, Laurentino Gonzalez, Hector Mora and Victor “Ernie” Reyes.
The 2023 “lock-in” truly opened the door to wonderful fellowship, fun and treasured memories for all who participated.
By Glenn Leibowitz, volunteer writer
Meet the Student: Karla Gutierrez
“He took one of the seedlings of the land and put it in fertile soil. He planted it like a willow by abundant water”
Ezekiel 17.5
When Anthony Cummings first met Santa Ana High School student Karla Gutierrez, he immediately saw what he describes as “a small ember that wanted to blossom into a mighty flame.”
Anthony is an honorary KidWorks staff member and Unite Health Share Ministries’ Director of Youth Leadership & Fireside Ministry. Anthony leads the Ignite Youth Leadership Program at KidWorks.
Ignite Youth Leadership is centered around the game of soccer to develop Biblical characteristics and leadership skills.
Now a high school senior, Karla has been part of KidWorks since 2022 and Ignite Youth Leadership beginning in 2021.
Like a seed planted in good soil, Anthony says he “saw something inside of Karla that just needed to be brought to the surface.”
Anthony explains: “Karla had determination, she had grit, she had ‘leader’ written all over her. But for some reason, she wasn’t involved in many other programs at school or outside of school.
“My first thought, was, ‘Why is this young lady not in student government or a leadership club? How did she get overlooked? Why wasn’t she involved in more?’ Through us, and with us, she has caught fire, and she is by far one of our best leaders (if not the best).”
“Karla is what makes our program great. She has faced every challenge in our program head on. She has taken feedback with dignity, and she has soaked up all we’ve offered and applied it. Like many young people, Karla just needed a place where she could catch fire. And I’m glad God brought her to us.”
Clarisa Vargas, KidWorks’ College & Career Coordinator, has also become a very big part of Karla’s life.
In fact, Clarisa was the primary influence who convinced Karla that a college/university degree was definitely in her future.
Clarisa first met Karla as a high school junior. At the time, Karla didn’t see college in her future, and in fact had no interest in pursuing education beyond high school.
But Clarisa wanted more for Karla and set to work changing her mindset.
“I was able to convince Karla to come to our Wednesday College Apps Academy meetings,” Clarisa recalls. “College Apps is our 25-week program for high school seniors that provides guidance through the college application process, including support with college and financial aid applications, scholarships, admissions essays and tips on how to have a successful transition into college.”
“As fall rolled around, Karla started coming more and I met with her individually to learn the schools she wanted to apply to.”
Clarisa says that Karla applied to eight colleges. She remembers the moment Karla shared some great news:
“Karla came up to me and said she was accepted by Vanguard University and received a scholarship! We started screaming, and I gave her a hug and she started crying because she never thought this could be possible for her.”
While Karla hasn’t yet made her final choice, she says Vanguard University is now the top contender. She begins her university education this fall.
Clarisa is committed to walking alongside of Karla throughout her university experience.
Says Clarisa, “I continue to meet or talk with Karla every week, including her time participating in College Apps.”
“I will be there to help with Karla’s financial aid application, to go over financial aid packages in the spring, and then help her to make the final college decision by May 1.”
For her part, Karla says both KidWorks and Ignite Youth Leadership have been life changing.
“Mr. Anthony has been supportive throughout my whole time being at Ignite,” Karla says. “He’s set the bar for me so high up that I know I can do more than I think I can and better than what I believe is possible. I thank him for helping me become a leader and for giving me continuous support.”
“The Ignite Youth Leadership program has helped me grow in every aspect, such as leadership skills, self-confidence, faith and creativity.
“Ms. Clarisa has been the most helpful person ever to me because if it wasn’t for her, I probably wouldn’t have even applied to a college or university,” Karla says. “She’s helped me so much with my applications, and she’s opened my mind to so many different schools; I couldn’t be happier.”
“Ms. Clarisa and the KidWorks team continuously show me that they are there for me and that I can always reach out for help and guidance.”
Karla also has her sights firmly set on a successful future.
“My long-term goal is to finish college and be financially stable at a decent age,” she says. “I strive to be a successful person and an example to my siblings.”
Karla is one of hundreds of KidWorks success stories over the 30 years since we first began our mission. We are so proud that this seed God has planted is growing and flourishing to her full potential.
By Glenn Leibowitz, volunteer writer