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It’s officially the start of fall programming at KidWorks. We’re welcoming new and familiar faces to our four sites across Santa Ana, but summer is still on our mind. Summer programming at… Continue Reading
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It’s officially the start of fall programming at KidWorks. We’re welcoming new and familiar faces to our four sites across Santa Ana, but summer is still on our mind.
Summer programming at KidWorks brought exciting opportunities for student development with the launch of the Summer Leadership Academy for Youth (SLAY).
In May, applications to participate in SLAY’s inaugural cohort opened to KidWorks’ students.
22 participants were selected for the program via a rigorous interview process with Maria Ruvalcaba, Youth Leadership Development Coordinator, and site supervisors across KidWorks’ centers, to explore students’ interest and capacity for leadership.
SLAY aimed to equip young leaders at KidWorks, from 7th to 12th grade, with the skills and confidence to make a positive impact in their communities and at KidWorks by supporting Kids Club, our K-5th summer programming. It’s a first step for youth to explore leadership and incentivize students to join leadership spaces at school, church, sports teams, or extracurricular activities.
The decision to introduce this program was a nod to KidWorks’ longstanding history of student leadership over the summer months.
16 years ago, the Teen Leadership Academy (T.L.A) was an opportunity for teenage youth at KidWorks to learn about leadership, support K-5th summer programs, and build kinship with their teammates.
As Maria notes, “SLAY was an opportunity to bring some of that old essence of KidWorks by having KidWorks’ youth volunteer in our very own summer programs for their younger peers, but through an educated and curated approach guided by three frameworks — Spirituality, Leadership, and Volunteerism.”
David Correa, Youth & Family Pastor, and Rachel Cervantes, Volunteer Manager, worked alongside Maria to plan and oversee SLAY’s debut at KidWorks.
The team developed daily curriculum focused on providing youth with in-depth training on what defines identity, stewardship, and community through SLAY’s pillars of Spirituality, Leadership, and Volunteerism.
When speaking with David and Rachel, it was clear that SLAY created opportunities not only for students to grow in their leadership but to reflect and grow in their faith by receiving practical tools for classroom management, conflict resolution and teamwork.
Rachel mentions that students at the end of SLAY were also encouraged to continue their commitment beyond summer programs and become regular stewards during the academic year.
SLAY students sat down with KidWorks’ Marketing & Communications team to reflect on their summer with KidWorks. Read below to see what they had to say about their leadership experience:
Alondra G., 8th grade: “Leadership means to take responsibility for your actions and doing something even when you’re not told to.”
Amaris M., 8th grade: “Leadership means taking control and initiative, allowing others to bring out what they have to offer and play an important role by being inclusive.”
Yulissa R., 10th grade: “It’s important for youth in my community to get out of their comfort zone and create opportunities for other youth.”
Mia G., 9th grade: “I chose to apply to SLAY, because I really enjoy working with kids, especially younger kids. I wanted to have the opportunity to see if I wanted to pursue this career in the future.”
Genesis M., 7th grade: “I chose to apply to SLAY, because I wanted to learn about being a leader, and what being a leader means while working with others. I’m also exploring if I’d like to work with kids in the future!”
Fatima R., 7th grade: “I applied to SLAY to get out of my shell. I’m trying to be open-minded and working with youth seemed like a great way to do that.”
Sofia C., 11th grade: “I applied to SLAY, because I want to be a child psychologist. When I heard I’d be working with kids, I wanted to explore what it’d be like to work with youth before pursuing my career field in college.”
Katelyn B., 9th grade: “Seeing the impact you have on the kids.”
Emily F., 9th grade: “Not just interacting with the kids but also becoming closer to the people I’m working with.”
Brianna I., 7th grade: “All the kids were excited for all the dances, songs, and games.”
Leslie G., 10th grade: “Connecting with the kids I volunteer with and making fun new memories with them.”
April G., 8th grade: “At the beginning of Kids Club, I was scared and nervous to talk to students, but I got used to interacting with students and playing soccer with them.”
Jeritzel M., 9th grade: “Fun. Educational. Hands-on.”
Leslie G. 8th grade: “Being part of SLAY shows leadership and that you’re engaged in your community. We demonstrate communication skills and engage with students through activities like playing one-on-one.”
Yulissa R, 10th grade: “Belonging to this new group at KidWorks shows that you’re paying more attention to what you’re doing in your community. You practice compassion by helping students and by developing a passion in what you do.”
Leslie M., 12th grade: “Something that I’ve learned from Ms. Maria is that we have what it takes to have an impact on ourselves, others, and our community!”
Kayleen E., 7th grade: “One piece of advice I’d give is to spend your time wisely, because one second, it’ll feel like you’re meeting a student for the first time, and the next, you’ll have a strong bond with them.”
Emily Q., 10th grade: “I plan to practice leadership by being less shy and encouraging others outside of KidWorks to get involved in their community!”
KidWorks’ first summer with SLAY was a success. SLAY officially wrapped in July with a trip to the happiest place on earth…Disneyland!
Thank you to each SLAY student for their commitment to student leadership and their hard work during summer programming at KidWorks.
When you support KidWorks with a financial donation, you empower student-leaders to develop the skills to give back to their communities. Give today at kidworksoc.org/donate.
By Bryanna Paz, KidWorks Marketing & Communications Coordinator
For a deeper understanding of the SLAY experience, hear from Youth Leadership Development Coordinator, Maria, as she shares about the SLAY day-to-day.
“It was such a pleasure to create, plan, organize, and lead the Summer Leadership Academy for Youth (SLAY). I wanted the SLAY students’ experience to be one of learning, hands-on, and fun, therefore, I was very intentional in engaging other staff with this program. Youth were mentored by staff leading our summer program for K-5th grade students, Kids Club, and became fully integrated into the KidsClub program as key leaders in its daily execution. Through the three intensive training days prior to the start of KidsClub, the youth had the opportunity to get to know each other and learn more about themselves as leaders in their identity, stewardship, and community. Once Kids Club began, their “on-the-field” hands-on experience kicked in and they got an opportunity to get a taste of what it’s like to be in a classroom and lead programs, reflecting on their work and growth as leaders every day before and after KidsClub. Lastly, in our Friday Rewinds, youth had the opportunity to reflect on their challenges and learnings that week, share-out any funny stories or cherished moments of working” with the kids that week, and give each other shoutout affirmations and celebrations of their accomplishments that week.”
Read more about Maria as we celebrate 10 years of her service at KidWorks.