Meet the Preschool Alum: Jesse Cadena
July 13, 2026Jesse Cadena is used to doing life on his own. He’s a go-getter with a tendency to stay one-step ahead of the crowd, but asking for help wasn’t always part… Continue Reading
Tag: kidworks
Meet the Preschool Alum: Michelle Martinez
The world is big—bigger for children like Michelle Martinez. Shy and reserved, Michelle’s first transition from home to school felt like an odyssey. The classroom was uncharted territory, but KidWorks ensured that Michelle developed the skills to thrive in any environment.
Like many of our students, Michelle joined KidWorks’ preschool upon recommendation from a neighbor. Her mother learned about the opportunity from a trusted community partner whose children had also enrolled in preschool at KidWorks.
Shortly after their conversation, Michelle’s mother visited our Dan Donahue Center and met with the preschool team at KidWorks. The school environment and teachers, along with KidWorks proximity to their home, made enrolling here an easy decision.
Michelle attended her first day of preschool in 2009, but her first day was far from easy. She shared a close bond with her mother—leaving her at the door seemed impossible.
Michelle and her mother celebrate Mother’s Day at KidWorks’ preschool in 2010.
For months, Michelle struggled to acclimate to her new routine as a preschool student.
Drop-off heightened her anxiety. Michelle felt overwhelmed and alone. But the preschool team at KidWorks provided crucial emotional support during this big transition in her life.
“My preschool teachers helped me understand and feel that everything was going to be okay. I learned that it’s okay to step into something new, because they’re always going to be there for me, even as I step into new stages of life.”
Michelle Martinez
Alma Magaña, Early Learning/Family Specialist, was a pillar during Michelle’s time in preschool.
Recognizing that it was harder for Michelle to socialize, Alma extended her warmth and support. She encouraged Michelle to advocate for herself inside the classroom and build connections with her peers.
Michelle poses for a photo with her classmates during her preschool graduation in 2010.
Michelle recalls making a close friend—her co-chef in the preschool’s play kitchen. Soon, they were even sitting together during quiet time with a book and a tiny cassette player with headphones.
With a friend by her side, preschool transformed into a site of wonder.
Tea parties. Mobile aquariums where Michelle touched sea stars and urchins. Each new experience helped Michelle understand that trying new things could be exciting. But her trip to the pumpkin patch at Irvine Regional Park was particularly special.
Everyone in her class was tasked with picking their own pumpkin to take home. Most students grabbed a pumpkin proportionate to a 3 or 4-year-old. Except one student who wanted the biggest pumpkin at the fair. Michelle laughs looking back at this moment.
Memories like these are a reminder that it’s okay to go off the beaten track—a lesson that she’s learned throughout the years at KidWorks.
“Developing social skills in the classroom made socializing less scary, especially when it came to chatting and reaching out to teachers at school. I got more comfortable asking for help. KidWorks helped me find my voice.”
Michelle left preschool empowered to explore new spaces. Her transition into K-12 education proved challenging, but KidWorks staff connected Michelle’s family with a therapist that supported her social and emotional development at school.
From first grade to her senior year of high school in 2021, Michelle built a strong support network at KidWorks. She joined the Youth Leadership Team (YLT), now known as Youth Community Leaders (YCL), during her last year in programming.
Michelle was reluctant to participate in YLT, but her friend encouraged her to join. Now, she appreciates what she learned during her time with the group.
“Community advocacy is something that’s stayed with me since my time in YLT. I always try to teach my brothers, friends, and family about the importance of community advocacy and what actually having a community means…connecting with the people around us.”
Maria Ruvalcaba, Youth Leadership Development Coordinator, leads the YCL team and encouraged Michelle to meaningfully engage with her community.
“I first met Michelle when she was in 8th grade, she’s always been a kind, smart, sweet young woman, and a great friend to all her peers. Through her participation in the Youth Leadership Team, I had the pleasure to see her step out of her comfort zone and step up to the several leadership opportunities that came her way such as serving our community through service projects or sharing her input in city meetings. Though she may be quiet, she is fierce, talented, and fun to be around. Michelle will always be a great moral compass for her peers and now students that she works with.”
Maria Ruvalcaba, Youth Leadership Development Coordinator
Joining YLT helped Michelle find her voice and build the skills to mobilize the next generation of leaders in her community.
Michelle is now a 3rd year education major at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). She will begin her teaching credential program this upcoming spring with plans to work as an elementary school teacher after college. Michelle is excited to help students, like her, achieve success in the classroom.
Michelle, second from left, celebrates her graduation at Noche de las Estrellas in 2021.
Beyond the classroom, KidWorks continues to shape Michelle’s future. She looks forward to giving back to the community that’s supported her growth over the past 17 years.
“KidWorks instilled the importance of giving back to my community. After becoming a seasoned teacher, I’d love to go back and support KidWorks like they supported me throughout the years.”
When you support KidWorks with a financial donation, you empower students, like Michelle, to explore education fearlessly. Give today at kidworksoc.org/donate.
Preschool enrollment is now open! Find out more about how you can register your child today at https://kidworksoc.org/registration/
By Bryanna Paz, KidWorks Marketing & Communications Assistant
Meet the Preschool Alum: Kimberly Santana
The world is Kimberly Santana’s playground. She’s curious and “talkative”—that’s the word she uses to describe herself. Over her 14 years with KidWorks, Kimberly transformed her natural talent for conversation into a skill for success.
Kimberly’s mother heard about KidWorks from a trusted neighbor in 2009. Doña Rosio, a longtime resident of the neighborhood around the Dan Donahue Center (DDC) and community partner of KidWorks, recommended that Kimberly enroll in our preschool.
At four-years-old, Kimberly arrived at DDC for her first day. Moving from home to school was challenging, but Kimberly’s upbringing prepared her well: “My parents taught me that even if a problem feels big in the moment…In the future, it’ll reveal itself to be small. It’ll be something that I learned from.”
Preschool was one of Kimberly’s first opportunities to practice what her parents taught her.
While she felt apprehensive on her first day, Kimberly soon gravitated to the front of the line at preschool with the support of her teachers. They encouraged Kimberly to fearlessly embrace her new routine.
“Preschool at KidWorks teaches you to be brave. Teachers told you that you were brave to help regulate your emotions and empower you to tackle problems head-on.”
With a renewed sense of security in her environment, Kimberly spent her days at KidWorks learning how to build meaningful experiences inside the classroom.
Kimberly poses for a class picture at KidWorks’ preschool in 2010.
Among her favorite memories of preschool: the birthday she celebrated alongside her classmates. The long table with small plates for cake. The birthday crown she was gifted by her teachers. Everyone singing happy birthday. The exact details of the event are spotty, but Kimberly looks back at this moment with affection.
Preschool introduced Kimberly to a world outside her home—replete with memories, feelings, and relationships that carried a different pulse than what she was accustomed to. Kimberly built a positive association with learning at KidWorks that motivated her to explore other aspects of the classroom.
“I’ve gotten a lot from preschool. My teachers taught me how to be nice, say sorry, and to see that school is fun—everyday there’s something new to do, friends to hang out with, and fun to be had.”
As an outgoing child, Kimberly thrived in the preschool’s outdoor classroom. She refined her motor skills on the playground slide. But most importantly, she met lifelong friends that keep her grounded among life’s many shifts.
“My favorite outcome of preschool at KidWorks is meeting my friends that I still love and talk to. Even though we’re far apart and we’re pursuing different careers, we’re still connected. We might have different petals, but KidWorks is our stem.”
Kimberly Santana
This was true for Kimberly when she returned to KidWorks in 6th grade. But the transition during elementary school proved challenging at first.
When Kimberly stopped attending KidWorks programming in elementary school, she was worried that the friends she’d made at KidWorks had moved on. Seeing familiar faces at DDC quickly eased Kimberly’s anxieties. Friends and staff welcomed Kimberly back, reminding her that she always has a second home at KidWorks.
“KidWorks has always been a place where I can be myself, where I don’t have to shy away from who I am. Sometimes I feel like I’m too talkative…but KidWorks staff give me the space to be myself,” she says.
Over the next 7 years, Kimberly embraced her natural charisma and sociability. She volunteered with KidWorks in high school, joined the College Apps Academy, and participated in the Youth Leadership Team (YLT), now referred to as Youth Community Leaders (YCL).
“I had a lot of new experiences at KidWorks. I tried public speaking and community work. Being part of the Youth Leadership Team taught me that I enjoy helping my community and giving back to a neighborhood that has given me so much. YLT helped me find my values and adapt to the many transitions in my life.”
Through her participation in YLT, Kimberly elevated her interpersonal skills. She grew meaningful relationships with her community in Santa Ana. And at KidWorks, Kimberly developed a close relationship with her mentor Maria Ruvalcaba, Youth Leadership Development Coordinator and YLT’s staff lead.
With Maria and YLT’s support, Kimberly was selected as a student speaker for Noche de las Estrellas in 2023, KidWorks’ graduation celebration.
Kimberly celebrates her graduation with Ms. Alma, Ms. Minda, & Ms. Idalia at Noche de las Estrellas.
That experience helped her develop a passion for advocacy that changed the trajectory of her life: “Speaking at Noche taught me that I am not afraid to talk in front of a crowd. That achievement shaped me to be out there…always talking with people, giving out resources, and helping the community.”
Kimberly is now a third-year Business Administration major, concentrating in Information Systems, at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
The skills Kimberly developed at KidWorks have helped her advocate for students like her at Cal Poly SLO, which is a predominately white institution (PWI) where first-generation Latine students comprise a small percentage of the university’s population. Kimberly’s tenacity has allowed her to advocate for her community and celebrate her cultural heritage proudly.
She’s part of the Latinx Business Association, two ambassador programs with University Housing and the College of Business, and mentors high school students in her free time.
After college, Kimberly looks forward to working as a Business Intelligence Analyst and giving back to her community by encouraging others to pursue an education beyond high school.
“My biggest goal is to see others pursue higher education. I want to be on panels talking to students about my experiences, encouraging them to broaden their horizons through college. I want to be a role model for what higher education can do.”
Kimberly Santana
Thank you, Kimberly, for being part of the KidWorks family! We celebrate your continued success in college and look forward to seeing how you make an impact in the world.
When you support KidWorks with a financial donation, you support students, like Kimberly, to find their voices and empower them to pursue higher education. Give today at kidworksoc.org/donate.
Preschool enrollment is now open! Find out more about how you can register your child today at https://kidworksoc.org/registration/
By Bryanna Paz, KidWorks Marketing & Communications Assistant
Meet the Preschool Alum: Jasmin Ibarra
On her first day of preschool, Jasmin recalls big emotions, the tears at drop-off, and the overwhelming transition of being with her parents at home to being in a classroom full of peers.
But the moment she stepped into KidWorks preschool, Jasmin’s anxieties were soon eased.
Jasmin Ibarra joined the KidWorks community more than 15 years ago. At just three years old, Jasmin’s mother, Edemia Leal, enrolled her in preschool. She learned about KidWorks through her good friend, Sonia Rios, Family & Community Engagement Manager.
Sonia encouraged Edemia to consider KidWorks for her daughter’s early-childhood education.
“Jasmin was Edemia’s first child. She wasn’t sure about how to enroll her daughter in preschool. I jumped in and talked to her about our preschool at KidWorks, assuring Edemia that Jasmin was going to be in good hands with our teachers. Their experience, passion, and dedication would help Jasmin learn, not only academically, but also develop social, communication, and problem-solving skills.”
Sonia rios, Family & Community Engagement manager
That advice—plus, KidWorks’ proximity to Jasmin’s childhood home on Myrtle—brought her to her first day of preschool in 2008.
Over the span of two years, preschool at KidWorks provided Jasmin the structure and support she needed to thrive across key developmental areas in a child’s life.
Jasmin grew-up first-generation to working parents, who spoke Spanish as their primary language. Getting support with her academics was often difficult as the bulk of her classwork was in English. At KidWorks, Jasmin valued the patience and dedication of her teachers. They “broke things down” and ensured that she understood what she was learning.
Preschool at KidWorks went beyond academic support, however. Jasmin learned how to be a kid — a cool, well-rounded kid who could thrive in various environments.
“The way your preschool teachers teach you to respect others and to follow rules on how to be with other students in the classroom helped me growing up…even at home.”
While she’d always been a friendly child, Jasmin needed some extra encouragement when it came to socializing. Her preschool teachers—Ms. Minda, Ms. Idalia, and Ms. Jacky—ensured that KidWorks was a safe place for Jasmin to express her emotions and seek out friendships. She remembers their reassurance: “You’re safe here at KidWorks. You have friends here. You’re not going to be alone.”
During her time in preschool, she met three of her now friends—Michelle, Jackie, and Omar. Their bond remains strong despite life’s ebbs and flows.
Jasmin looks back at her preschool education at KidWorks with fond appreciation as an adult.
“What stands out to me about receiving a preschool education at KidWorks is the support teachers give you. They’re here for you whenever you need help and always give you really good advice.”
Jasmin continued with KidWorks programming through her senior year of high school, receiving essential support that encouraged her to pursue higher education.
Jasmin, third from the left, celebrates her graduation from KidWorks programming in 2023.
Soon after graduating high school, however, Jasmin discovered she was expecting a child. That moment changed her life.
Jasmin was determined to give her daughter, Alitzel, the best life she could provide.
College suddenly felt out of reach. But, Clarisa Vargas, College & Career Director, motivated Jasmin to continue pursuing her dream of attending college.
Jasmin recalls Clarisa’s advice, “You don’t have to go at everyone’s pace. You can be a mom and go to school. You don’t have to give up and leave everything behind.” Her words encouraged Jasmin to enroll at Santa Ana College (SAC).
Being a full-time mom and student has not been easy. There’s been many moments where Jasmin’s questioned her decision to continue her education. But she’s always returned to the advice and support she’s received at KidWorks.
This month, Jasmin graduated with an associate’s degree in Sociology from SAC. She will transfer to California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) to pursue a degree in Human Services and initiate her career in advocacy for houseless community members in Santa Ana.
Both motherhood and higher education are the catalyst for Jasmin’s success — what she hopes will motivate her daughter to push through difficult moments in her own life.
“I want Alitzel to recognize that life will not always be easy. There’s always going to be obstacles that are hard and challenging, but if you ask for help and keep going, you’ll make it to where you want to be.”
Jasmin Ibarra
Though Alitzel is only a year old, Jasmin looks forward to enrolling her daughter in preschool at KidWorks. She hopes Alitzel will learn what she’s learned over the past 15 years: life’s challenges are part of your success, not failure.
Thank you, Jasmin, for being a part of the KidWorks Community. We are so proud to walk with you from Pre-K to BA!
When you support KidWorks with a financial donation, you are directly helping students, like Jasmin, find a path forward and persevere through difficult circumstances. Please click this link for more ways to give.
By Bryanna Paz, KidWorks Marketing & Communications Assistant
Preschool earns top five-star rating
Our state-licensed preschool was just awarded a five-star rating from the Orange County Department of Education. This is the top possible rating and is an increase from our previous four-star rating.
The KidWorks’ preschool earned its five-star “Quality Rating and Improvement System” (QRIS) grade for the high quality of our early learning programs, as evaluated by the county. Programs like ours are ranked from one to five stars and the evaluation occurs every five years.
“Earning a five-star rating is a source of great pride for KidWorks and our entire preschool team since we are one of 500 early learning programs in Orange County who participate in QualityStart, the education department’s focus on assessing, improving and communicating the importance of early childhood education,” says Idalia Galdamez, our preschool director.
She adds, “The rating criteria help programs like ours to demonstrate their commitment to quality, keeping up to date on current research and adopting best practices.”
Among the criteria to earn this top rating are:
- A safe environment
- A developmentally appropriate curriculum
- Well-educated staff
- Small group sizes and low adult-to-child ratios
- Parent-teacher communication and family engagement
Idalia says achieving the five-star rating lets families know that our preschool provides their children with the highest level of early care services as these youngsters embark on their academic careers.
“Our highly educated, experienced and dedicated preschool team sets our youngest scholars on a solid classroom path by delivering quality early care and education in a safe environment based on developmentally appropriate curriculum,” Idalia says.
She adds, “This rating should encourage parents to consider enrolling their child in our program. In addition to our five-star rating, we offer field trips during the year where the children get to explore what they learn in the classroom out in other environments such as a pumpkin patch and museum, for example.”
Our preschool is now accepting applications. Register and find out more about this KidWorks program: https://kidworksoc.org/preschool/
“Obtaining this rating has taken years,” says Minda Barrera, ” KidWorks preschool teacher. “It’s required countless hours working with children, learning with them and attending workshops/trainings.”
She adds, “It required a dedicated team to obtain our certification. We’re very thankful to all who have contributed to attaining this goal: parents and their children, volunteers, parent volunteers, partners, supporters the KidWorks’ executive leadership team and others. We are truly blessed and thankful to God for allowing us to work with the little ones.”
In addition to the five-star QRIS rating, KidWorks preschool obtained our Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom Certification in November 2024.
“The new outdoor classroom plays a big role in our daily school schedule,” says Alma Magaña, our Early Learning/Family Specialist. “When children are exposed to an outdoor classroom environment, they learn to manage their time and behavior.”
She adds, “Children have the opportunity to choose what they would like to do and experience on a daily basis. When children are allowed to make good choices, they feel empowered.”
KidWorks’ preschool also benefits from the support of volunteers, who work alongside our staff and teachers during each of the two daily sessions.
Idalia also thanked our supporters, who have so generously given time, talent, resources and financial support:
- ABA Collaborative Therapies
- Carrazco Law
- City of Santa Ana
- First 5 Orange County
- The Great American Lunch Box
- JFK Transportation
- Orange County Department of Education
- PBS SoCal
- QualityStart OC
- Start Well
Read more about this 5-star rating here! Congratulations, Preschool Team!
By Glenn Leibowitz, volunteer writer
Campus Crash 2024 – UCI and IVC
Starting KidWorks Campus Crash off with a bang, KidWorks high school students and parents met at UC Irvine on April 1st to tour their campus, connect with current college students and consider future career paths.
After being dropped off at the UCI flagpoles, students learned fun facts about the different dorms, subjects to study and food options available to students. The tour guides showed off a couple of UCI’s prestigious schools, like their schools of engineering and business. Students also got a chance to check out university merch at the campus store and take a Starbucks run before heading back to their next stop. From there, students were transported to a lunch and tour at Irvine Valley College to explore more options for future education.
Students heard from speakers about the many programs and services IVC offers for student success and learned about the IVC Basic Needs Program. The group also got the opportunity to tour some of the campus buildings such as the Computer Science building, and the career and transfer center. One student shared, “I really enjoyed learning about the campus, especially hearing about the soccer team and other sports.”
Overall, the first day of Campus Crash was a success! The tours were a great way to provide a vision for college, ignite an excitement for learning and show that learning is a lifelong pursuit.
KidWorks’ youth champion parks
Santa Ana has one of the largest youth populations in California. For decades, it has also been “park poor.”
That means that children, youth and families in the city had very limited community recreation areas, green spaces, bike lanes or skate parks.
Nearly 31% of the population of Santa Ana is under 18-years-old, making it one the youngest cities in the U.S.
Beginning in 2016, a group of KidWorks youth set out to change all that.
“This took years of effort, coupled with leadership, intense research, working with elected officials and much more,” says Maria Ruvalcaba, KidWorks’ Youth Leadership Development Coordinator.
“Now, we are seeing their hard work come to fruition,” she says.
Maria explains that through these leadership projects and campaigns youth develop critical thinking skills, academic and professional skills such as working together towards a goal, as well as leadership skills such as public speaking.
“These skills help them feel empowered which helps them build agency and courage to speak up for themselves and call for positive change in their communities,” Maria says.
In late March, the city held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Friendship Park, a small green place located around the corner from our Dan Donahue Center. The park features such amenities as a jungle gym, picnic tables and concrete bollards for traffic safety.
KidWorks’ youth Estrella Moreno, a high school senior, and Jose Vazquez, 12th grade, played a big role in working with the city leading up to the April 3 ribbon cutting.
“The lessons I learned by being part of this project is that teamwork and communication are key, especially for a project like Friendship Park,” Estrella says. “It’s extremely important to communicate with one another, share ideas, hear other people’s inputs and take them into consideration.”
Estrella’s role in making Friendship Park a reality included providing input and ideas (along with other KidWorks’ youth), to city decision-makers. She also monitored the progress of the park renovation and bike trail addition.
Getting buy-in from the neighborhood was also part of the process.
“My team by talked with the students and neighbors who live in the area about what they would like to see,” Estrella says. “Being part of the planning and knowing that the park is now open is a very big accomplishment for KidWorks’ youth. We had a say and our voices were heard.”
“Friendship Park is the fourth success story achieved by our youth over the past seven years,” Maria says.
The other three are:
- Mariposa Park: It opened in 2019 and features one of the first skate parks in the city.
- Ed Caruthers Park: It opened in October 2023 and also features a skate area and is located about a two-minute walk from KidWorks.
- Standard Street and McFadden Avenue: That park expected to open later this year that will also include a skating area.
KidWorks alumni Evelyn Torres, a Vanguard University senior who’s graduating in May, and Irma Mateo, a third-year student attending the University of California, Berkeley, were deeply involved for several years beginning in 2016.
Evelyn was one of the KidWorks organizers for the Youth for Active and Safe Communities group.
“I participated in meetings with the City of Santa Ana, the University of California, Irvine and community members,” Evelyn says. “We also shared our team’s research results with Sacramento officials.”
She adds, “These efforts validated the need for more skate venues in our community. Knowing that the project created a safe space for families is such a rewarding feeling. It’s one of my proudest accomplishments. The work we did as high schoolers will have a positive impact for future generations.”
“I learned so much about decision-making and problem-solving throughout this project,” Irma says. “We faced many challenges and needed to make a lot of decisions, so it was very important to analyze situations and come up with solutions we all agreed on. My teammates taught me to be more confident and speak up; it’s always important to share your ideas.”
“Each of these parks is in some measure the result of KidWorks’ strategic focus on developing tomorrow’s leaders, beginning with students enrolled in our state-licensed preschool,” Maria says.
Building future leaders is woven into KidWorks’ DNA. Starting in our preschool, youth are assigned leadership roles in the classroom to help them develop the skills and self-confidence they can use their entire lives. KidWorks’ youth leaders receive education and training to make a meaningful impact in their homes, at KidWorks, in their careers and in the community.
“Evelyn and Irma, along with several other KidWorks alumni, spoke before the Santa Ana City Council, Parks and Recreation Department and met with other elected officials,” Maria says. “They also partnered with such skateboard advocacy groups.”
In a KidWorks blog story from 2017 Maria said, “Active transportation—such as biking, walking and skateboarding—is how many of our youth get to school, appointments and other destinations. Being physically active is part of our advocacy for healthy diets and exercise.”
That vision took tenacity, drive and true leadership to come to fruition.
The year 2017 was also when KidWorks youth took a more active role in making sure their voices were heard and insights understood by city leaders.
“That engagement with decision-makers continues to this day,” Maria says. “What’s even more impressive is that these youth have inspired their younger siblings and their friends to also be passionate and take on leadership roles about issues they care about.”
She adds, “The younger siblings and friends also want to help their community and make a positive change for their families and neighbors. They experience a beautiful feeling when they walk past a park and know that they played a key role in its design.”
Maria says these issues largely revolve around making sure their Santa Ana has adequate green spaces, parks (including those with fitness equipment), bike lanes and more.
“The city is also in the midst of finalizing their annual budget and KidWorks youth have gone to council meetings to voice support that monies are allocated for these purposes,” Maria says. “Over the years, I believe city officials have come to value the ideas, insights and leadership of KidWorks’ youth.
“It’s so uplifting to see how our youth have made indelible, positive impact on Santa Ana and acquired leadership skills that will surely grow stronger over the years.”
By Glenn Leibowitz, volunteer writer
Senior Success Spotlight: Jesse Torres
KidWorks closely collaborates with the business community to develop students who are prepared to enter the workforce and embark on meaningful careers.
A perfect example is Jesse Torres, a KidWorks student since second grade who is graduating this June from Segerstrom High School in Santa Ana with the goal of becoming a computer programmer.
Jesse plans to major in computer science when he starts at a college or university this August. He’s deciding between offers of acceptance he’s received from four universities and colleges.
College was not always in Jesse’s plans.
He credits KidWorks with giving him the confidence—and the motivation—to attend a college or university after high school.
“In my elementary and middle school years, I thought college was out of reach because it would be too expensive and also that I didn’t have what it takes,” Jesse says.
All that changed when KidWorks encouraged him to attend events such as our Campus Crash, where students in sixth through 12th grade get a firsthand taste of college and university life through in-person visits to a range of campuses.
Jesse participated in Campus Crash twice while in middle school, visiting campuses that included UCLA, USC, the University of California, Irvine and others.
Campus Crash is part KidWorks’ College & Career Success Initiative™ (C&CSI). The initiative prepares first generation college students for higher education beyond high school and includes our College Apps Academy, Campus Crash, engagement with our college counselor, care packages for our college students and more.
“KidWorks opened my eyes that if I tried hard enough, I’d have what it takes to be accepted at a college or university,” Jesse says.
“Math was one subject that was not my strong suit during my elementary school years,” Jesse recalls.
Teachers and volunteer tutors in KidWorks’ after school programs helped him gain confidence and proficiency in math, so much so that he’s been enrolled in honors math classes in the areas of algebra and pre-calculus since his sophomore year in high school.
“Math is an essential skill in computer programming and the tutoring help in this subject during KidWorks’ after school programs really set me on a path for success in a career I wasn’t even considering back then,” Jesse says.
Jesse has participated in KidWorks wherever possible, including:
- After school tutoring/academics.
- Summer programs (where for the first time ever he went camping in Yosemite, did rock climbing and hiked).
- Spring programs (including Campus Crash).
- Music programs (where he learned to play the flute).
- Youth programs (where he joined with others in such community outreach as food drives, Christmas toy drives and advocating with officials in Sacramento and locally for approved skate parks and pedestrian safety).
- Tutoring and classroom volunteer with fifth and sixth graders in our after-school programs when he was in eighth grade.
Jesse may be one of the busiest youths you’ll ever meet.
“Jesse has a crazy academic, athletic and social calendar and also attends KidWorks programs weekly,” says Clarisa Vargas, our College & Career Readiness Coordinator.
She adds, “Jesse maintains the most positive attitude despite being extremely busy and at times exhausted. He’s always fully engaged.”
“Many of my KidWorks’ experiences—such as playing the flute in front of a crowd during a concert and presenting to elected officials—helped me gain confidence in public speaking and being a leader,” Jesse says.
In fact, from second through fifth grade, Jesse says he aspired to become president of the United States.
His main policy goal, he recalls, was “free candy for kids who can’t afford it.”
“I’ve seen Jesse grow into a very caring and confident young man; he is a natural-born leader,” says Maria Ruvalcaba, our Youth Leadership Development Coordinator.
She adds, “His faith and self-confidence have grown over the years. He’s always looking out for others and is not afraid to speak and voice his concerns. He embodies a humble leadership style that is very admirable for someone his age.”
Maria, Clarisa and other KidWorks staff members have worked alongside Jesse to help him complete college/university admissions applications, apply for scholarships and more.
Once he starts his higher education in August, Jesse says he plans to do much more than only attend classes.
“I want to be as much a part of that experience as possible,” he says.
A big influence on Jesse is Lance Lew, 26, an incoming medical student and future doctor, who is part of KidWorks’ mentor program. That program matches those with career and life experiences with our 12th grade students to help them navigate the challenges and decisions they face.
Jesse was so excited to meet Lance for their first introduction last year that he attempted to run the three miles from Segerstrom High School to KidWorks rather than be late (the KidWorks van came to the rescue and that’s where the two first shook hands).
Like other KidWorks’ mentors, Lance meets with Jesse at least once a month. But they connect whenever Jesse needs advice.
“The world needs more people like Jesse, who are positive, passionate and kind to the core,” Lance says. “When I sit down with Jesse, I’m immediately in a brighter mood. His strong sense of self and ability to enliven others is inspiring.”
“Lance is amazing,” Jesse says. “He gets me. He’s a key person in my life. If I need help, he’s there for me.”
As KidWorks celebrates our 30th anniversary, Jesse says he hopes to see KidWorks “become even bigger and touch more lives.”
Jesse’s entire family has been very involved with KidWorks over the years, including his parents, Jesus and Karina.
His five siblings have also called KidWorks home: Evelyn, 21, now attending Vanguard University; Ashley, 16, a high school student still enrolled in KidWorks and also a volunteer; Andrew, 14, a middle school and KidWorks student; Alex, 12, a middle school and KidWorks student and Stephany, nine, an elementary school and KidWorks student.
Jesse remains active at Segerstrom High School as he prepares to graduate. He’s part of their color guard and is a midfielder on the varsity lacrosse team.
His hobbies include video games, reading and a big emphasis on personal physical fitness.
We see a wonderful future ahead for Jesse and look forward to sharing his successes and achievements in the years and months ahead. We are also deeply grateful for the entire Torres family. They inspire us in our mission to serve even more students and families in Santa Ana.
By Glenn Leibowitz, volunteer writer
2nd Annual Easter Eggstravaganza Coming Soon!
Are you ready to hop into spring and the Easter season? Join us for a day of egg-citement with our 2nd annual KidWorks Easter Eggstravaganza!
Students, keep your eyes peeled at the event during our egg hunt! Once you’ve found all the Easter bunny’s gifts, unleash your creativity with crafts and games.
Want to get involved in the springtime spirit and Easter cheer? There are three easy ways for you to make this event one to remember!
- Purchase supplies from our Amazon wishlist!
- Donate to KidWorks!
Send a Venmo payment to @susan-graham-20 OR mail a check payable to Susan Graham with “KidWorks Easter Event” on the memo line.
- Hop into Action and Volunteer
Volunteers are needed for this event on March 14th, from 2-5pm. Click HERE to get involved.
A big thank you to our KidWorks Women leadership who are planning this event!
Auxiliary Chair
Kyle Team
Social Team
Kim Carpenter
Debbie Trammell
Sue Willett
Kathy Ursini
Amanda Zimmerman
Spiritual Team
Betsy Flint
Kristen McGuiness
Community Advisor
Vicki Booth
Staff Advisor
Lisa Gels
Service Team
Stephanie Peleuses
Anne Yardley
Young Professional Team
Melissa Marshall
Student Spotlight: Jesse Torres
Jesse Torres may be one of KidWorks busiest high school seniors. In addition to honors classes, he plays varsity lacrosse, serves on his school’s color guard, and is active in KidWorks leadership.
“Jesse maintains the most positive attitude despite being extremely busy and at times exhausted. He’s always fully engaged.” says Clarisa Vargas, our College & Career Readiness Coordinator.
KidWorks has always been a part of Jesse’s world. In addition to music programs, Jesse has been involved in after-school programs and youth leadership teams where he has volunteered in the classroom, attended summer camp and advocated for the building of skate parks in Santa Ana.
“Many of my KidWorks’ experiences—such as playing the flute in front of a crowd during a concert and presenting to elected officials—helped me gain confidence in public speaking and being a leader,” Jesse says.
“I’ve seen Jesse grow into a very caring and confident young man; he is a natural-born leader,” says Maria Ruvalcaba, our Youth Leadership Development Coordinator.
She adds, “His faith and self-confidence have grown over the years. He’s always looking out for others and is not afraid to speak and voice his concerns. He embodies a humble leadership style that is very admirable for someone his age.”
Now that college is on the horizon, Maria, Clarisa, and other KidWorks staff have worked alongside Jesse to help him complete college applications, apply for scholarships, and prepare for college life.
Jesse plans to major in computer science and has already received several acceptances including Cal Poly and Vanguard University.
He credits KidWorks with giving him the confidence—and the motivation—to pursue higher education.
“In my elementary and middle school years, I thought college was out of reach because it would be too expensive and also that I didn’t have what it takes,” Jesse says.
All that changed when Jesse attended Campus Crash, visiting UCLA, USC, UC Irvine and others.
“KidWorks opened my eyes that if I tried hard enough, I’d have what it takes to attend college,” Jesse says.
“Math was one subject that was not my strong suit during my elementary school years,” Jesse recalls.
KidWorks’ tutors helped him gain confidence and proficiency in math, so much so that he’s been enrolled in honors math classes in the areas of algebra and pre-calculus since his sophomore year in high school.
Another big influence is Lance Lew, 26, an incoming medical student and future doctor, who is part of KidWorks’ mentor program. Like other KidWorks’ mentors, Lance meets with Jesse at least once a month. But they connect whenever Jesse needs advice.
“The world needs more people like Jesse, who are positive, passionate and kind to the core,” Lance says. “When I sit down with Jesse, I’m immediately in a brighter mood. His strong sense of self and ability to enliven others is inspiring.”
When you support students like Jesse you are making a significant impact on future generations who will be tomorrow’s respected leaders.
By Glenn Leibowitz, volunteer writer
Christmas toy drive now underway!
Do you treasure the joy of Christmas as much as we do at KidWorks? You can fill your holidays with even more love by being part of our once-a-year holiday toy drive.
For 21 years KidWorks supporters have made Christmas extra special for the parents of children and youth enrolled in our programs. These parents are often unable to afford gifts for their sons and daughters.
That’s especially true during these economically challenging times; being able to purchase Christmas gifts is often not financially possible for the families we serve. Their limited funds go to rent, gas and groceries.
Our goal for this year’s Christmas Store: A gift for every student.
There are many ways you can brighten the holidays for our students:
- Donate new/unused and unwrapped toys, games, sports and outdoor recreational items delivered to KidWorks, 1902 W. Chestnut Ave., Santa Ana by Dec. 14.
- Gift cards in the $30 range are much requested by parents of youth in sixth through 12th grades. Especially popular are gift cards for Walmart, Starbucks, Target, Amazon, movie theaters and fast-food restaurants.
- New wrapping paper, bows and decorations are also needed, and can be dropped off at KidWorks.
- Host a toy drive for the Christmas store. Churches, companies, service organizations and families are invited to do so.
- Shop/donate on Amazon for our Christmas Toy Drive 2023.
- Make a financial gift to KidWorks towards the purchase of gifts.
- Help with store set up on Dec. 18. To sign up, please email: rachel.cervantes@kidworksoc.org
“An added request this year is for toys that are appropriate for parents of children with special needs in pre-K through 12th grade and those enrolled in Individualized Education Programs,” says Vanessa Hernandez, our Volunteer Manager. “Such items include toys that stimulate the senses. These are very helpful for students with autism, for instance.”
Here’s how the Christmas gift program works for the parents of our students: Moms and dads purchase gifts for their sons and daughters at a discounted rate at the KidWorks Christmas Store on Dec. 19. KidWorks then deposits these proceeds into our benevolence fund, which provides financial and other support to families when they are in serious need or experience a crisis.
What makes the KidWorks Christmas Store so special for these parents is that it offers them a sense of being able to provide for their families. By purchasing the gifts at nominal cost instead of receiving them for free they feel respected and empowered.
“As KidWorks celebrates our 30th anniversary, we are incorporating creative ways for the store to reflect our gratitude to God for allowing us to serve others for three decades,” says Sonia Rios-Guzman, our Family and Community Engagement Manager.
She adds, “Parents shopping at our Christmas store will receive a small gift commemorating this milestone in our history.”
KidWorks will send each donor a thank you letter acknowledging the contribution for their tax records.
Interested in knowing more? Email: vanessa@kidworksoc.org, visit https://kidworksoc.org/christmas-store or contact the KidWorks at: 714-834-9400, extension 115. You can also view our Christmas store flyer.
“We are so grateful for the amount of support we receive each year for the Christmas store from our partners and donors,” Sonia says. “It fills our hearts and lights up our spirit to see so much generosity and love towards the families and community we serve.”
Your help will help continue a wonderful 21-year tradition of Christmas smiles.