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
KidWorks Volunteer Of The Month: Isaias Castillejos
In just a few years, college student and KidWorks volunteer Isaias Castillejos is likely to be standing in front of a middle school classroom as a fully credentialed teacher.
He’ll have more than his university degree and teaching credentials to offer—our January “Volunteer of the Month” will also have many hours of experience working with several grade levels of KidWorks’ students.
Moreover, Isaias exhibits a trait that’s invaluable to any teacher: The ability to meaningfully connect to every young mind filling the seats in his classroom.
“I grew up in south central Los Angeles, so I feel I can relate to them; plus, it feels nice for kids to see volunteers of the same ethnicity as them who attend college or a university,” says the University of California, Irvine, senior. “Volunteering aligns so well with my major in education with a specialization in children learning development.”
Isaias has been volunteering at KidWorks for three months, and has worked with students in grades six, seven, 10 and 11. He recently increased his volunteer sessions from once to twice a week. He first heard about KidWorks from one of his university professors, who recommended us for the volunteer service hour commitment required of students.
Our Volunteer of the Month honoree is enthusiastic about the potential he sees in our students.
“I feel there is big hope for the kids,” Isaias says. “During my time at KidWorks, I see more interaction and more participation in activities than when I was in school. KidWorks students seem to be genuinely enjoying and participating in the experience; I see a bright future for the kids and KidWorks as well.”
Our students staff are very appreciative to have Isaias in their classroom and a part of their lives.
Diego Q., grade seven, says: “I like that Mr. Isaias comes and helps a lot. It’s good to know I have someone watching my back. Thank you for that, Mr. Isaias. Every time he comes, I’m grateful he’s here. What I like most about Mr. Isaias is that we like the same sports, especially soccer.”
Diana C., grade 11, says: “I’m grateful for Mr. Isaias, because he has helped me with math, which helped improve my chances of getting a good score on quizzes.”
Our staff is equally appreciative:
“Isaias is very relational and personable,” says Cynthia Gomez, Youth Lead “He’s built great rapport with the students because he’s easy to talk to and isn’t shy about engaging in conversation along with homework help.”
Adds Cynthia, “Isaias is a role model with his ‘can-do’ attitude. He supports our students in a variety of ways, including helping serve food, cleanups, décor, tutoring and outside recreation. He talks to our students about things they care about, including the different kinds of colleges they can attend.”
Maria Ruvalcaba, Youth Leadership Development Coordinator, says, “Isaias approaches and talks to the youth like he’s known them all his life. He is confident in his manner of talking to them and being able to relate to them. The boys really enjoy playing outside sports with him and talking about cars.”
Isaias has brought so much to our students in all the ways he volunteers. We know that he will just as big a blessing to the students in the classes he will one day lead during his teaching career.
By Glenn Leibowitz, volunteer writer
We invite high school and college/university students to learn more about how KidWorks can provide you with opportunities to earn service hours, intern and volunteer.
A Very Special Christmas For KidWorks Families
Christmas was an especially blessed season at KidWorks . We’re grateful to everyone who lent a hand with time, talent, resources and financial support. Because of you, hundreds of families in central Santa Ana felt an extra measure of love and generosity. We thank God that there were zero COVID-related issues during the holidays.
KidWorks’ Christmas Store
The KidWorks’ Christmas Store has been a treasured tradition for the families we serve for 19 years. For many central Santa Ana families, being able to purchase Christmas gifts is not always financially possible. Their limited funds go to rent and groceries. What makes the store so special for these parents is that it provides a sense of being able to provide for their families.
They are able to buy gifts donated to KidWorks at a fraction of the actual cost; this provides moms and dads with the self-esteem that comes from actually purchasing gifts, even if at a minimal cost. Each parent had a specific appointment time to shop at the store, which allowed for social distancing and a safe shopping experience. They were able to select from over 600 toys, sporting goods, school supplies, gift cards and other donated items.
The 2021 event took place on Dec. 14 at our Dan Donahue Center. It was such a success that 100% of KidWorks students received at least one gift this Christmas.
KidWorks thanks all those who made the 2021 Christmas store possible, including: Rainbow Sandals, who provided a pair of flip flops for each student; the KidWorks Fund Development Committee, the KidWorks Women’s Committee, the Young Professionals for KidWorks organization, and the many volunteers who staffed the store. We also thank U.S. Bank branches from across Orange County, the Offield Family Foundation, Spitzer Roche Team—Compass Real Estate, Live Nation, Mariners Church, Irvine; St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Newport Beach; New Majority, Innovative Results Gym, Orange County Lutheran High School, Red String Foundation, Los Alamitos.
Thanks as well to U.S. Bank employees, who decorated our centers for the holidays. They generously provided Christmas trees, wrapped doors to resemble Christmas packages and placed snowflake decorations in the hallways.
Posada
A posada is a traditional Mexican Christmas celebration that occurs during each of the nine nights prior to Christmas day and features the reenactment of Joseph and Mary’s arrival in Bethlehem. For many years KidWorks has held a Posada for the families we serve. This year, our Posada was hosted on Dec. 9 out in the Sports Court at our Dan Donahue Center, which was the perfect outdoor venue to allow for safety and social distancing. The event included food, music, singing, dancing, goody bags for all the children, and other festive traditions. In total, around 200 parents, children and youth attended. We thank these supporters and volunteers who helped out: the Strader Family, St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach and Essex Property Trust.
Preschool Christmas Party/Carnival Celebration
We extend a big KidWorks’ “thank you!” to CBRE’s Newport Beach team for once again fully sponsoring/underwriting our annual Christmas/Carnival Celebration held Dec. 16 for students enrolled in our state-licensed preschool. Thirty-three students attended and enjoyed games, story time, riding a miniature train, jumping for hours in a bounce house and welcoming Santa.
CBRE employees volunteered at the event and donated many hours to set-up and clean-up. Each volunteer interacted with a small group of children. Special thanks to CBRE’s Melissa Ley, who coordinated the event.
“We would also like to thank our afternoon preschool volunteer, Vicky DeVaney, for providing Christmas gifts to all our 33 preschool students,” says Idalia Galdamez, KidWorks’ preschool director. “When we approach her with the idea she happily said ‘yes!’”
Adds Idalia, “The children cannot stop talking about the celebration and the gifts they received. We’re greatly blessed to have such wonderful partners who embrace the spirit of Christmas and support us with our ideas that turn into request and then into real memories to be cherished for life!”
College Apps Academy Party
College Apps Academy is a 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. On Dec. 8, many of the 23 students enrolled in the program enjoyed a COVID-safe, impromptu Christmas party, complete with pizza, games and more. “It was a chance for them to celebrate all the hard work they put in this semester,” says organizer Brenda Trujillo Sanchez, our College & Career Manager. “We plan to make this an annual KidWorks tradition.”
Year Year-End Appeal
Our year-end appeal is always crucial to ensure KidWorks starts off with strong financial funding for our many programs. Each year, our supporters overwhelm us with their heartfelt generosity, as they did once again during the 2021 year-end campaign. KidWorks’ Board Member Emily Mandrup’s company, ECM Management, provided a generous match donation to encourage people to double their impact to KidWorks. Hundreds of individuals, families, churches, companies, clubs and others responded and we are grateful for their financial support.
One of the most encouraging experiences of our year-end fundraising were the notes of thanks we received from donors. One teen volunteer shared:
“I volunteered at KidWorks wrapping presents at the Christmas Store. A lot of the parents that I met really impacted me. They were all so friendly, loving and I could tell that KidWorks parents cared deeply not only for their children, but for the children in their community. I hope my contribution helps to continue to provide services for these families so their students can have a place to learn and grow.”
We were also touched to learn that that Santa Ana-based Rados Companies’ employees donated to KidWorks in lieu of holding a holiday celebration. These meaningful gestures provide a great deal of encouragement to our staff.
We welcome your financial support throughout the year, and you may see ways to give through this link.
The entire KidWorks team at each of our three centers thanks you for making the holiday season so special for hundreds of families. We wish you all the best in 2022 and in the years ahead.
By Glenn Leibowitz, volunteer writer
KidWorks Plans For A Happy and Healthy New Year
The entire KidWorks team wishes you and yours a happy and healthy 2022. We are excited for the new year and to continue supporting our youth to thrive as students and young leaders.
In the nearly 30 years since KidWorks first opened our doors, we have been immeasurably blessed by the countless friends who consistently pray for us and all those we serve. We covet your prayers as we look to God’s leadership, protection and guidance as begin another year of programs.
Since Day One, the health and safety of KidWorks students has remained paramount. The everchanging landscape of COVID has forced us to think and act creatively to ensure the health and safety of students, staff and friends while fulfilling our commitment to walk alongside our students in their journey towards leadership and college success.
We are equally as committed to addressing another reality: Our students, like everyone else, have been profoundly impacted by the pandemic. We know firsthand that our students do much better when they have the encouragement and interaction that comes from in-person social engagement with friends along with KidWorks’ staff, teachers and volunteers. Our students need hugs and high fives, especially as their lives become more interdependent with technology. We remain committed to offering in-person programs as long as it’s safe to do so.
As you can imagine, significant strategic planning takes place behind the scenes in order to provide in-person programing in the midst of COVID. We continue to partner with the Orange County Health Care Agency, the Orange County Department of Education, the Santa Ana Unified School District and other agencies for guidance and best practices in the areas of health and education so that students, staff and volunteers can continue meet together in person whenever possible.
Our Parent Advisory Council, comprised of moms, dads and grandparents of our students, have been true warriors. They have been reaching out to fellow parents and also in helping us to better understand concerns from the community, while offering innovative program solutions.
Moreover, a KidWorks COVID Emergency Response team meets regularly to assure our pandemic-related practices are as robust and up to date as possible.
KidWorks remains flexible and adaptive to the ways the pandemic may change how to be safe and operate. Please continue to pray for the full measure of God’s safety and protection for all of us at KidWorks, just as we pray for health and wellbeing for all of our students, families, friends, partners, volunteers and supporters.
We have a great year ahead. Keep reading our e-news, blogs and social media for ways to get involved and the latest program updates in 2022.
We appreciate you and you have our deepest gratitude.
Ways to Get Involved With KidWorks in 2022
If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to increase the ways you can give back, KidWorks has a full list of opportunities for your consideration. You’ll have fun while making a difference in the lives of underserved children and youth in central Santa Ana.
We have a full range of volunteer opportunities for individuals, families, churches, foundations, businesses and clubs.
We invite you to explore the many ways to get involved with KidWorks
Celebrating KidWorks 2021 ‘Volunteers of the Month’
One of our most popular communications are our Volunteer of the Month stories. As the year wraps up, your KidWorks team is delighted to share some Christmas cheer by recapping—and celebrating once again–the 10 Volunteers of the Month recognized in 2021. For 2022, we’ll continue to highlight our wonderful volunteers, partners and supporters.
January
Delilah Vaca
Delilah enjoyed her KidWorks’ internship so much that she renewed it several times. She volunteered via Zoom during the pandemic and in-person when programs are held on-site. Delilah has been part of our afterschool programs at the Dan Donahue Center for kindergarten and first graders. Before the pandemic, she assisted with homework and helped improve students’ reading skills. Delilah has been such an inspiring role model for our youngest scholars. As a baker, she knows the perfect recipe for academic, leadership and spiritual success.
February
Allison Wong
Allison Wong was born to volunteer. She’s been doing exactly that since she was 11 years old. At that age she even wrote and self-published a novel and used the proceeds to buy toys for children at a local hospital. Allison’s workshops for our junior high school students are focused on bullet journaling, which Allison describes as “dotted journals similar to planners but which are totally customizable.” She’s been bullet journaling since middle school. Allison shares her creativity with KidWorks in other meaningful ways. She formed a service-oriented club at college whose goal is to help underserved women and girls by providing them with essentials, such as pads, hand sanitizers, deodorants, combs, soap, lip balms and more.
March
Elise Schroeder
When Elise Schroeder was a first grader, she had no idea what a college or university was. Now, she never misses an opportunity to tell our first graders about the importance of a college/university education. She’s also helped at our summer break program during the year before the pandemic. Elise believes so strongly in education that she plans a career as an educator. Her goal is to become a high school history and psychology teacher. Her positive attitude and warm demeanor are such gifts to all who interact with her. Elise is always willing to step up and take on leadership opportunities and fill gaps where needed.
April
Zeke Pena
When Zeke Pena attended elementary school, he often did his homework in less-than-ideal circumstances at home because the family of five didn’t have extra space for his studies. Little did he know that decades later this challenge would inspire him to build desks for KidWorks students who often studied at home in similarly cramped spaces because of the pandemic. Zeke has been both an in-person and on-line volunteer, as well as being very active in Young Professionals for KidWorks volunteer group of almost two dozen individuals in their 20s and 30s who volunteer at our events, after school programs and more.
May
Cynthia Espinoza
Cynthia is able to identify so well with students enrolled in our programs. That’s because this KidWorks’ alumni was enrolled in our programs from eighth grade until she graduated high school. Until her freshman year in high school, Cynthia attended our Cedar Evergreen Center. She’s also been a welcome presence at our Dan Donahue Center since her freshman year in high school when she joined our youth leadership programs and began serving as a volunteer. She also helped with prepping the Cedar Evergreen Center for summer activities, and then led game and crafts sessions. Cynthia was also a speaker at KidWorks’ Noche de Estrellas event in 2020.
June
Pilar Quezada
Pilar has been a vital and inspiring volunteer during our online programs for students during the pandemic. Pilar signed up as a KidWorks volunteer in January 2021 as part of a class research project; her timing was perfect as our programs for students were being conducted on a “virtual” basis. Pilar has supported KidWorks by making weekly phone calls to parents, volunteering at our Youth Nights and Campus Crash and was instrumental in the planning, creating and leading breakout rooms. During her time as a volunteer, Pilar has mentored grades 11 and 12 graders, plus middle school students during Campus Crash, which introduces high school students to college and universities, and the Youth Lock-in, a night of fun and fellowship.
July
Karina Torres
Instilling a passion for volunteering in her children is a top priority for Karina. And it’s worked. Along with her own years-long dedication as a volunteer, all of her family have helped out at KidWorks in one way or another. It’s been Karina’s heart’s desire to be what she calls “an A-to-Z volunteer.” That’s included preparing classrooms for our teachers, being a mentor and leader as part of our Parent Advisory Council, assisting our staff with office work, translating documents for non-English speaking parents, helping with set up and clean up at many of our community events, assisting with our Thanksgiving and Christmas outreaches to families in need, advocating for KidWorks with government leaders in Santa Ana and Sacramento and assisting with our Love in Music program.
August
Jes Liu
Jes has been an invaluable volunteer at our KidWorks Golf Classic since the very first event, taking on more and more responsibilities with joy and enthusiasm. She’s served on the golf classic tournament committee and started out by handling the many logistics that go into making such a major event a success. Jes has been instrumental in helping with the pre and post tournament logistics, making sure everything runs smoothly. That’s included helping with registration and on-course support. She’s also been active with Young Professionals for KidWorks.
September
Elizabeth Chavez
Elizabeth is truly a hands-on, jump right in type of volunteer. The recent California State University, Fullerton graduate helps out with in-person after school programs, offering homework help, tracking student attendance, distributing snacks, joining in during recreation time and sanitizing tables, chairs books and doorknobs in the classroom after a session. Elizabeth was worked with students in grades first, third, fifth and sixth. Elizabeth was among one of the first volunteers we had back onsite and in person for our summer programs. She has since been a tremendous help with our fall launch, helping in the classroom two to three days a week
October/November
Omar Salazar
A dozen years ago, Omar Salazar’s mother, Maria, learned about KidWorks from a family friend in their central Santa Ana neighborhood. Soon afterward, Omar was enrolled as a KidWorks preschool student. Fast-forward to 2021 and Omar—now a high school junior —arrives every Monday and Tuesday afternoon at our Dan Donahue Center to tutor students during after school programs. He also helps with clean up after each session. Omar has also assisted with KidWorks University, our volunteer-led workshops that focus on art, science, music, dance, creative writing and more. Omar has also provided childcare for our youngest students when parents are at the center attending meetings.
By Glenn Leibowitz, volunteer writer
If your New Year’s resolution is to give-back, consider serving as a KidWorks Volunteer.
Festival of OC Chefs pairs fine food and wine with philanthropy
The sold-out outdoor event raised $602,000 net, which is already at work supporting KidWorks’ academic, spiritual and leadership programs for hundreds of underserved children and youth in central Santa Ana.
We are deeply grateful to our Presenting Sponsors: The Kay Family Foundation and the David A. Pyle Family along with our other sponsors.
We congratulate Chef Lindsay Smith at Nirvana Grille in Laguna Beach, who transformed her restaurant into a resource to provide nutritious food to those in need during the pandemic.
We also thank all the chefs and their restaurants who created specialty dishes for attendees to enjoy, along with their selections of quality wines.
The hardworking Festival of OC Chefs committee members and volunteers were truly remarkable and have our thanks.
Another Festival of OC Chefs is already scheduled for July 17, 2022 and sponsorships are on sale now. This event is guaranteed to sell out so mark your calendars.
Celebrating 15 years of Foundation for Success
Thanks to the generosity of our longtime friends and sponsors, KidWorks raised $425,000 during our 15th annual Foundation for Success, “No Lunch, Luncheon.”
It was also a time for longtime friends and colleagues from CBRE and the TeaHouse Gang to reconnect at a reception held in their honor. Many of whom have been friends for over forty years.
As part of the reception, KidWorks honored the TeaHouse Gang, CBRE and Sharon Kline with the Dan Donahue Leadership Award for their longtime contributions to KidWorks.
“Great CBRE employees like Sharon Kline and Melissa Ley, along with others who’ve supported KidWorks, really exemplify our commitment to citizenship in the communities where CBRE operates,” Kurt Strassman says, Executive Managing Director at CBRE. “It’s so amazing to see the impact this partnership has had over the years. I’m honored to accept the 2021 KidWorks Dan Donahue Leadership Award on behalf of everyone at CBRE’s Newport Beach office. “
“This ‘gang’ has a lot to be proud of; over the years they have raised over $8 million for KidWorks After School programs.” shared David Benavides, KidWorks Executive Director/CEO.
Adds Bob Howard, one of the original TeaHouse Gang members, “When one thinks that the Teahouse Gang started out by giving Thanksgiving and Christmas gift baskets to needy families in Santa Ana just over 20 years ago, and that now KidWorks’ annual budget is in excess of $3 million and impacts the lives of thousands of kids and their families, it literally gives me goosebumps.”
Bart Brown, another TeaHouse Gang member agrees. “I don’t want our legacy to end with the luncheon. My wife Lauri and I have included KidWorks in our estate plans to ensure that the next generation of KidWorks students are equipped with the tools needed to pursue their dreams of college success. I invite my friends and members of the community to join us.”
By Glenn Leibowitz, volunteer writer
From KidWorks to Berkeley: A Student’s Journey
I love the multi-cultural vibe of central Santa Ana where I grew up, and yet it’s sometimes a little hard to reconcile the hardships in the neighborhood I was raised in with the refined setting of a concert hall.
But here I am.
I would be lying to you if I said the journey from my earliest music lessons through KidWorks to a university concert stage was a storybook. It wasn’t.
I guess you could say that I was a bit of a star student in my teen years attending Avanti Music, a KidWorks program founded in 2012 by professional musician Joe Cristina, who led the program until 2020.
But at Berkeley, I met other student musicians whom I viewed as geniuses and prodigies. As the first in my family to pursue higher education after graduating high school, I often felt quite out of place as a person of color at a school where I rarely encountered another person of Hispanic heritage.
It took a few years, but I finally regained my confidence as a musician. I also knew that the importance of being a leader that KidWorks’ taught me meant that I had to turn my feelings of being an outsider into positive action.
After all, my lifelong motto is: “Whatever I have right now, I am going to work with that. Whatever I do now will determine my steps for the future for tomorrow. I can’t dread the ‘what ifs’; I can’t overthink the future. Focus on the right now.”
That’s when I decided to approach leaders in the Berkeley music department about teaching a course about Mariachi music.
I wrote a proposal and developed a course syllabus. My idea was accepted and I’ve now taught the course for two semesters. We cover the history of the music, discuss its fusion with some many other music formats and play songs together. About 15 students enroll in each class and they earn course credits.
I am also co-President of Mariachi Luz de Oro at Berkeley, a student-run club dedicated to playing regional Mexican music.
This wasn’t my first time serving as an instructor. During my senior year in high school, I taught violin at KidWorks to 12 to 15-year-olds. We covered music theory, notes, rhythm and how to hold a violin.
KidWorks was also instrumental, along with others, in helping me secure a month-long music internship during the winter of my high school sophomore term, working with young children in Jamaica. I introduced my students to music theory, drumming and the flute. As a Latina, I saw myself in those kids; they grew up in a low-income environment, just like me.
Being a teacher makes me think back to the wonderful teachers, staff and volunteers I met while attending KidWorks. I cherish these relationships.
I first enrolled in KidWorks’ programs when I was 13 years old. I’ve also volunteered, helping with set-up and clean-up at various KidWorks events and even shared my story with the audience at several of them.
Today, my sister, Nadia, is a high school freshman who attends KidWorks. My mom, Juvelia, and dad, Arnoldo, have been such positive influences on both of us.
While I consider myself a person with tremendous drive and independence, I’m also humble enough to acknowledge that KidWorks played a very big role in my acceptance at Berkeley. They helped me fill out all the application forms, guided me with essays and gave me a nudge when I needed it.
A big motivator was when I attended KidWorks’ Campus Crash event. It provides high school students a firsthand taste of college and university life through campus visits, with the goal that we pursue higher education.
Once I arrived at Berkeley, the KidWorks team surrounded me with love and support in ways that really overwhelm me with gratitude. They regularly checked on me. They were there as a shoulder to cry on when I was overwhelmed managing a dual major, lots of coursework and a parttime job. They sent me care packages with snacks and personal care items. They mailed cards on my birthday and sent uplifting text messages.
My plan as of right now is to attend graduate school after earning my bachelor’s degree at Berkeley. After that, I may join or form a professional music group, return to teach music in Santa Ana and/or eventually start a non-profit for people of color who want to pursue a career in the arts.
Not that many years ago, I was practicing violin with other students in a small room at the KidWorks’ Dan Donahue Center while moms busily organized the snacks for students attending after school programs. Whenever I sit on a concert stage before a live audience of hundreds, I always take time to think back about moments like that. I’m forever in awe of the staff, volunteers and supporters who helped make my often-difficult journey so much smoother.
(Editor’s Note: Julie Cons is a senior at the University of California, Berkeley who first enrolled in KidWorks’ at 13-years-old. We are very proud of all she has accomplished so far—despite some roadblocks. She is pursuing a double major in music and molecular cell biology. We asked her to share about her journey. This is Julie’s story, in her words.)
Ways To Give: CAREs Act Extension
The only requirements are that you make the donation in cash to a KidWorks on another regular public charity before the end of the year.
If you donate, your deduction, together with any charitable deductions you are already taking, is deductible up to the full amount of your income. In other words, you can literally choose to give money to charity instead of paying federal income taxes this year.
Of course, it’s always important that you work with your tax professional with respect to your particular situation—but this extension provides even more incentive to support KidWorks while potentially easing your tax burden.
Here’s what the IRS says on their website: “Whether taxpayers are supporting natural disaster recovery, COVID-19 pandemic aid or another cause that’s personally meaningful to them, their charitable donations may be tax deductible. These deductions basically reduce the amount of their taxable income.”
Please make a note of the Dec. 31 CARES Act extension deadline as you plan your charitable giving for the remainder of 2021. We are deeply grateful for the generosity of our supporters and partners!
(Editor’s Note: KidWorks is deeply grateful to everyone who supports our students through gifts of time, talent and resources. This month, we’re continuing a new feature called “Ways to Give.” We’ll keep sharing additional ways you can enhance how you may already be helping those we serve.)
Honoring the Legacy of CBRE & The TeaHouse Gang
KidWorks 15th Annual “Foundation for Success” will honor CBRE, the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, and the Teahouse Gang, a group of Orange County real estate professionals who were deeply instrumental in the creation of KidWorks’ Dan Donahue Center, which opened in late 2005.
Due to COVID, the luncheon will once again be held virtually along with a donor reception to honor the founding members in person.
Both CBRE and the Teahouse Gang were deeply instrumental in KidWorks’ creation and our evolution as we approach 30 years of service in central Santa Ana.
Bob Howard, a founding Teahouse Gang member, and Bart Brown, a decades-long colleague of the group, share their recollections:
Bob Howard: A founding Teahouse Gang Member
Bob Howard was one of the founding members of the Teahouse gang in the 1960s. Bob, employed as real estate broker at the time, was one of about 20 employees at Coldwell Banker’s small office located at the corner of Avocado Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway in Newport Beach.
Bob and his colleagues soon formed a social group that got together each Christmas for a big party at the Ritz Restaurant. The name Teahouse was inspired by what they saw as their office’s resemblance to a small tea shop.
“For years, we had these memorable Christmas parties,” Bob recalls. “Each year, we’d go around the table, and everyone would give an update on what they’d been up to since the last get-together. At the 2000 party, a life-changing moment occurred.
“Dan Donahue, a major developer of large shopping centers throughout Southern California, said it was time for the Teahouse Gang to consider giving back to the community by doing more for others in need.”
Adds Bob, “We were all deeply moved by Dan’s suggestion. Four or five Teahouse Gang members mobilized and met every week to bring his vision into reality.”
At the time, Bob was serving on the board of a Christian non-profit, called HomeWord, whose mission is to bring hope and help to struggling families and kids.
“That’s where I met and became friends with Dr. Larry Acosta, founder of the Hispanic Ministry Center, and a young intern from Biola University, David Benavides, now KidWorks’ Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director.
Bob and Larry began to talk about how to act on Dan Donahue’s vision that the Teahouse Gang help families in need.
“The Teahouse Gang sprang into action to take up Dan’s dramatic call for action,” Bob says. “We decided that KidWorks would be our charity of choice and we partnered with them by delivering food to needy families at Thanksgiving and Christmas.”
That was just the start.
“Using what we learned from our epic Christmas events, we decided to do what we do best, throw a party,” Bob recalls. “The Teahouse Gang organized a rock and roll party at Bommer Canyon in Irvine that raised $50,000 in proceeds for KidWorks. The following year, the party raised an additional $100,000 for KidWorks. As we were planning the third annual event, Dan unexpectedly passed away, leaving us heartbroken.”
For many years, Bob has served on the Balboa Bay Club Board of Governors. The year following Dan’s passing, he and others helped organize a Teahouse Gang party at the club that drew 500 attendees to honor Dan and also served to raise $1 million that eventually went towards the purchase of land and an old building where the original Dan Donahue Center opened in late 2005.
Tom Schriber, a Teahouse Gang member, co-founded Donahue Schriber, a major shopping center development company, with Dan Donahue. Tom was very instrumental in the success of the Balboa Bay Club event.
“It’s just phenomenal to think about the legacy Dan, CBRE, the Teahouse Gang and others have created,” Bob says. “Thousands of students have successfully gone through KidWorks’ programs, earned college degrees and gone on to great jobs.”
Bob has also seen the Orange County real estate industry experience tremendous growth and success since he and his family first planted roots in Orange County back in the 1960s.
“Many of the colleagues I worked with who were part of the Teahouse gang or who were employed at Coldwell Banker went on to form small, medium and large companies of their own,” Bob says.
The annual Teahouse Gang’s Christmas party tradition continues to this day.
“The group now consists of about 50 men and women,” Bob says. “Richard Dick leads the holiday effort.”
Today, Bob continues to work as a real estate industry consultant. He and his wife, Cleva, have been married for 61 years, and have three adult children, Karen, Sharon and Douglas.
Bob is a big champion of the KidWorks model for reaching underserved families that has been so successful in Santa Ana.
“I really feel the KidWorks’ template can be reproduced across the country,” Bob says. “Back when Larry Acosta and I first spoke about his ministry and how the Teahouse Gang could partner, I had no concept that Dan Donahue’s vision would be realized in such a powerful way. It’s absolutely inspiring.”
Adds Bob, “When one thinks that the Teahouse Gang started out by giving Thanksgiving and Christmas gift baskets to needy families in Santa Ana just over 20 years ago, and that now KidWorks’ annual budget is in excess of $3 million and impacts the lives of thousands of kids and their families, it literally gives me goosebumps.”
Bart Brown: A longtime friend and colleague of the Teahouse Gang
Bart Brown also witnessed how Dan Donahue’s “giving back” vision for the Teahouse Gang first took root.
“The initial activity we did for KidWorks took place around 2000 and involved putting together Christmas gift baskets with food and other essentials for KidWorks’ families,” Bart recalls. “Of course, we had no idea at the time this would lead to what KidWorks is today.”
Bart’s connection with the Teahouse Gang goes back nearly 30 years when he worked as a commercial real estate professional for Coldwell Banker, assigned to their Santa Ana office. He often spent time at Coldwell Banker’s Newport Beach office, where he got to know the Teahouse Gang members when they worked on mutual business transactions.
While not a member of the original Teahouse group himself, Bart witnessed how Dan Donahue’s idea of giving back evolved from the Christmas basket project to other acts of generosity by the group on behalf of KidWorks.
While some of the Teahouse Gang members have passed away, Bart still stays in touch with living members, including Steve Barnard, Clark Booth, Jim Croul, Richard Dick and Bob Howard. Some members still volunteer at KidWorks and support us in various ways to this day.
Bart is among those, having been an active afterschool programs volunteer at our Townsend Center since 2006, tutoring kindergarten through fifth grade students. He hopes to return to tutoring as pandemic restrictions ease.
Bart is one of several retired Teahouse gang members who have volunteered at KidWorks, including Peter Marr (who has passed away) and Dan Sweet.
“Often, as we walked to the Townsend Center over the years, children and youth in the neighborhood would call out, ‘Hi, Mr. Bart,’ ‘Hi, Mr. Dan,’ and ‘Hi, Mr. Peter,’” Bart says. “We would often see young adults we tutored years ago who have now gone on to graduate high school and pursue their higher educations. Our hope is that even more children and youth from the neighborhood will experience KidWorks. We encourage supporters of the KidWorks’ mission to volunteer as tutors. You will be amazed at the fun and satisfaction you will experience.”
Now 84-years old, Bart retired from Coldwell Banker office in Santa Ana in 1999 after 29 years of service. He and his wife, Laurie, recently celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary; they have two daughters, Kimberly and Kristen.
In 2018, Bart was recognized as our November “Volunteer of the Month.” “Over the years, KidWorks blossomed around me,” he said at the time.
CBRE, Newport Beach: A trusted and generous partner over the years
CBRE grew out of the original Coldwell Banker & Company, where the Teahouse Gang formed in the Newport Beach office. Today, CBRE describe themselves as “the world’s leading full-service real estate services and investment firm with broader and deeper capabilities than any company in our sector.”
At KidWorks, we also describe the team at the Newport Beach office as a long-term partner and supporter, a relationship that goes back many years. That’s why we are honored to jointly recognize CBRE’s Newport Beach team along with the Teahouse Gang at the 2021 Foundation for Success luncheon.
CBRE’s presence in Orange County was preceded by the opening of Coldwell Bankers’ Newport Beach office around 1960 as part of an expansion of their Los Angeles operations. Coldwell Banker’s Newport Beach office was established chiefly to accommodate the sale and leasing needs of the Irvine Company.
Leading Coldwell Banker’s operations in Orange County was John B. Parker, a Senior Vice President at Coldwell Banker. Bob Howard says that John and about 20 “hard charging, fun-loving young brokers” eventually became the original members of the Teahouse Gang. John’s son, Russ, is now an active Teahouse Gang member.
CBRE has walked alongside KidWorks in countless ways, including:
- Sponsoring the Foundation for Success luncheon since the first event.
- Sponsoring the KidWorks Classic Golf Tournament since inception.
- Hosting Christmas parties for our preschoolers.
- Internal fundraising events and matching employee donations to KidWorks.
Moreover, we have benefitted from wise advice and counsel from leaders in the Newport Beach office.
Key among those is Sharon Kline, who recently retired as Executive Vice President of Debt & Structured Finance at CBRE.
Sharon currently serves on KidWorks’ advisory council and finance committee, and previously served on our board of directors for several years.
She has been co-chair of our highly successful KidWorks Golf Classic since its inception, and also served on the leadership committee for our equally respected Foundation for Success luncheon from the very start.
Sharon has also helped introduce CBRE employees to KidWorks. One example is Melissa Ley, Vice President Investment Sales – Net Lease Properties at CBRE, who is a founding member of Young Professionals for KidWorks and has been honored as one of our Volunteers of the Month.
Kurt Strasmann, Executive Managing Director of CBRE’s Newport Beach office, expressed his appreciation for their partnership with KidWorks.
“Great people like Sharon and Melissa, along with other employees who’ve supported KidWorks, really exemplify our commitment to citizenship in the communities where we operate,” Kurt says. “It’s so amazing to see the impact this partnership has had over the years. I’m honored to accept the 2021 KidWorks Dan Donahue Leadership Award on behalf of everyone at CBRE’s Newport Beach office. “
By Glenn Leibowitz, volunteer writer