When she was five years old, Julie (Juliana) Villanueva first stepped into a KidWorks’ classroom as a preschool student. Now a freshman business major at Orange Coast College, Julie overflows… Continue Reading
Favorite Memory at KidWorks: Attending summer camp at Yosemite Sierra. That experience stretched me; I had never been away from my family. Although I was homesick, I’m glad I stayed. A staff member selected me for a leadership role amongst my peers which helped me grow mentally, spiritually and emotionally stronger.
Why KidWorks is important: KidWorks has always been there for me! When times got really tough , they convinced me to not give-up. Instead of dropping out, they helped me transfer schools so I could pursue my nursing degree.The staff helped me recognize and overcome many difficult obstacles over the years. During COVID-19, KidWorks even provided me with a working laptop when mine broke and couldn’t afford repairs or the cost of a new one.
Dreams for the future: My passion is to make my community a healthier place. I am busy pursing my nursing degree with a focus on pediatric oncology. I have been volunteering at CHOC Hospital and recently got a job providing COVID tests to residents in Santa Ana.
The community surrounding KidWorks faces many obstacles and other at-risk factors. KidWorks’ donors and supporters make a real difference. Because of their generosity, students like me won’t become dropout statistics and instead develop into lifelong contributors to the community.
