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
November 2023 ‘Volunteer of the Month’: Nestor Morones
Nestor Morones—our November 2023 “Volunteer of the Month—readily relates to the students he works with at our Dan Donahue Center. That’s because he was once one of them.
Nestor’s parents, Maria and Isaac, first enrolled him in KidWorks’ programs when he was in second grade. He continued to attend KidWorks through his high school graduation in 2017.
Nestor benefitted from our after school academic program, leadership classes, college/university guidance, community service opportunities and more.
His brother, Daniel, 30 and sister, Roxana, 22, also attended KidWorks during their school years.
Now a college student, Nestor is an intern with the City of Santa Ana’s youth employment program and volunteers 20 hours a week at KidWorks.
“Nestor has volunteered an amazing 600 hours so far,” says Rachel Cervantes, our Volunteer Coordinator. “He’s kind, down to earth and the students to feel at ease and happy with him.”
His duties are varied, including:
- Helping kindergarteners learn the letters of the alphabet.
- Assisting sixth graders with math and science homework.
- Snack set up and distribution in our classrooms.
- Supervising sports and fitness activities in our outside sports court.
“What excites me about returning to KidWorks is coming back to a place that played such a big role in my development,” Nestor says.
He adds, “The staff and volunteers helped with my homework when there was an English language barrier at home; now, I can do the same for students facing the same situation. Regardless of background, I believe everyone deserves opportunities and chances.”
Nestor remembers the approach our teachers and volunteers took with him when he was a KidWorks student and applies these techniques as a volunteer.
“My style a very calm and understanding,” Nestor says. “I approach situations with the goal of finding a middle ground with the students. For example, most sixth graders are not big fans of reading so I encourage them to read about something they are interested in, like cars or music.”
Nestor also empathizes with the challenges and concerns so many students face.
“KidWorks guided me academically in every way,” he says. “This ranged from helping me with homework to showing me the value in pursuing higher education after high school.”
Nestor adds, “The teachers and volunteers encouraged me to keep going during moments I wanted to drop out of high school.”
He especially thanks Jessica Ellis, Senior Site Supervisor, Dan Donahue Center and Maria Ruvalcaba, our Youth Leadership Development Coordinator.
Our November Volunteer of the Month has also grown in confidence and skills as a leader.
“I never really viewed myself as a leader,” he explains. “KidWorks taught me otherwise. Slowly, the students started to view me as an example to follow.”
He adds, “Positivity was in the air. Life has its moments where we become leaders and examples to follow. I just feel blessed that I was able to become a good example to the children and youth who need role models in their lives.”
Beyond academics, Nestor says KidWorks also instilled in him a lifelong desire to give back to the community and serve others, especially in an under-resourced community like central Santa Ana.
“KidWorks was my biggest motivator when it came to giving back,” he says. “So, giving back as a volunteer at KidWorks feels like I’ve come full circle.”
During his high school years as a KidWorks student, KidWorks provided Nestor opportunities to serve others in ways that included distribution of food to homeless residents and hours spent picking vegetables for a local food bank.
“The employees at the food bank said we picked enough vegetables that day to feed 1,000 people and that was a great feeling,” Nestor says.
He calls the opportunities KidWorks provided to give back to the community “some of my fondest memories.”
In his spare time, Nestor has a wide range of interests, including painting, hiking, acting, editing videos and baking. He’s also a music lover and plays the bass acoustic guitar and piano.
Nestor says his career goals include “appearing in a movie, writing my own book and finishing my album.”
We saw the wonderful potential in Nestor when we first met him as a second grader. We continue to see that endless potential realized as he works with the young minds he helps mold as a valued volunteer and mentor.
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.
October 2023 ‘Volunteer of the Month’: Vanessa Rosas
Vanessa Rosas, our October 2023 “Volunteer of the Month” is a multi-year, longtime volunteer, especially with children and youth.
This month’s honoree is a California State University, Fullerton senior who’s volunteered at KidWorks since 2018 and is no stranger to other volunteer experiences as well.
Working with children is Vanessa’s passion. And KidWorks helped confirm for her that it’s her life’s calling.
Vanessa is a psychology major with a minor in child and adolescent studies. Her career goal is to become a child life specialist (a health care professional who works with young patients and his or her family during medical experiences, some very challenging).
Vanessa is now both a KidWorks intern and volunteer, serving 11 hours each week, exclusively at our Townsend Street Center in central Santa Ana. She works with each of the kindergarten through eighth grade students enrolled at that center.
While at the Townsend, Vanessa helps with homework, passes out snacks and assists with clean up.
“Vanessa has given so much of her time to KidWorks as a volunteer since she was in high school and continues to serve while in college,” says Karina Flores, Townsend Site Supervisor. “She has so much potential and enjoys helping students succeed.”
Adds Karina, “Vanessa takes the initiative. She has such a tender, gentle approach with students. They reach out to her.”
Rachel Cervantes, Volunteer Coordinator, adds: “Vanessa has been consistent and dependable; her sweet, welcoming demeanor and heart for our students is exemplary.”
Vanessa says her experiences at KidWorks confirmed her desire to work with children.
“I knew I wanted to work with children for my career, but I didn’t know if that was true for me until I tried it out,” Vanessa says. “I’m glad it was with KidWorks; I discovered I have the patience for children and enjoy being around them.”
She adds, “What’s most rewarding about being involved with KidWorks is getting to experience different temperaments from the children and the experience I gain from that.”
And in case anyone thinks being a volunteer helping with homework and other needs is all serious business, Vanessa will tell you that there are plenty of lighthearted moments and lots of laughter.
“One Thursday, most of the children were doing worksheets or finishing homework when I noticed a quiet child who liked to draw,” Vanessa says. “I approached her because she drew a character from a movie I liked. I asked if it was okay if I drew with her.
“That’s when two other children noticed and wanted to join; a child asked if we wanted to challenge each other with our drawing skills and make it timed. Everyone was being silly and having a good time.”
In addition to being a volunteer, Vanessa is a KidWorks intern. Her internships began this past August and continues into the fall.
“We are actively inviting high school and college/university students to consider serving as a volunteer or intern,” Rachel says. “It’s a great way to satisfy service hour requirements and to gain experience no matter what a person’s career goals might be.”
KidWorks is currently recruiting and accepting internship applications. More information is available by emailing Vanessa Hernandez, our Volunteer Manager, at Vanessa@kidworksoc.org
Vanessa keeps a very busy schedule in addition to her studies and volunteer time at KidWorks.
“I work full-time as an assistant manager at a restaurant called Cafe Cultura and have a part-time job as a caregiver,” she says.
When there’s time, she enjoys painting, baking, listening to music, taking her three dogs to the beach or park and going to the movies.
“Volunteering at KidWorks is so rewarding and helpful as I plan a career working with children,” Vanessa says. “At KidWorks, I’m building my relationships and skills with children. I get to face children’s different temperaments and the challenges that may bring. It’s such an impactful experience to volunteer at KidWorks.”
We are grateful that our students benefit each day our October “Volunteer of the Month” is in the classroom. We are honored that her career got a start with us.
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.
30 Faces of KidWorks – Hector Mora
Name: Hector Mora
City: Santa Ana
Role at KidWorks: KW Alum
How did you become involved with KidWorks?
I joined KidWorks as a preschool student and graduated high school in 2020. I am now enrolled in the OC Fire Authority academy and work part time at PTS marketing. My ultimate dream is to work for CalFire or the US Forest Service.
Share the most meaningful experiences you’ve had at KidWorks? What made them impactful to you?
Attending summer camp was life changing because I got to experience so many “firsts” like the climbing wall and the banana boat. These experiences challenged me to test my limits. I learned I am braver and stronger than I realized.
Can you talk about some of the biggest obstacles KidWorks’ programming overcame when you were involved?
There were times I wanted to quit but I’m thankful for the staff at KidWorks who kept me focused and on track with my career goals. Now that I’m working, I continue to benefit from KidWorks mentors who are walking alongside me as a young professional.
What does KidWorks mean to you? Looking back, how did KW help to shape your life? How did KW help to influence the person you are today?
Kidworks is all about people – I met so many friends and mentors that have shaped me into the person I am today. I want to give back to the next generation and my family. I recently represented PTS Marketing at the KidWorks career fair and it was rewarding to connect with younger students and help the next generation of KidWorks students.
What are your dreams for KidWorks over the next 10, 20, or 30 years?
I hope to see more students at KidWorks and more centers across Santa Ana.
Anything else you would like to share about KidWorks?
I am excited for the future of KidWorks.
Thanksgiving Holiday
1st Day of Preschool
KidWorks Preschool programs start today. 
Fritzi Valladares: Born to run
For someone who once professed to “dread” running during her high school physical education classes, KidWorks alumni Fritzi Valladares has learned to fully embrace one of KidWorks life lessons: “Welcome new experiences.”
In February, Fritzi ran the 2023 Surf City Half Marathon in Huntington Beach. She’s currently training for the Orange County Half Marathon in May.
This former KidWorks student first experienced the joy of running as an early member of the KidWorks running club, formed in 2013 (although currently not active).
Fritzi was in high school at the time and had been attending KidWorks since fourth grade. She stayed enrolled in our programs through high school. We helped her pursue a college career as the first in her family to do so.
Today, as KidWorks celebrates our 30th anniversary, Fritzi is another example of a successful KidWorks student alumnus who has gone on to a successful career.
Fritzi is a program supervisor within the intensive services department at Olive Crest, a non-profit dedicated to preventing child abuse. With the encouragement of KidWorks staff, she graduated from Azusa Pacific University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in social work and in 2018 with a master’s degree in social work from the university.
On occasion, she’s returned to KidWorks during alumni gatherings and last spring she spoke to our high school students during a career day event.
Fritzi is a perfect example of someone who reflects KidWorks’ core values: Belief, hope, perseverance, confidence and impact.
Fritzi says her time at KidWorks—including as a member of the running club —taught her life lessons she carries with her to this day.
“KidWorks taught me the importance of being confident and knowing that I could accomplish anything that I set my mind to,” Fritzi says.
She adds, “I was able to set the goal of running this February’s half-marathon after almost 10 years since running my last half-marathon. This showed me that I could accomplish any goal I set my mind to.”
Julie Herrick was active in KidWorks beginning in 2001 and was a coach/leader involved with the KidWorks running club in 2013. She’s now an administrator at the Connected Learning Lab at the University of California, Irvine.
“I’ve personally experienced how powerful it is to set a big, challenging goal and then reach it through hard work, over time,” Julie says. “I remember Fritzi as an active part of our group and being impressed with her and the other runners’ perseverance and positive attitudes, even as the runs got longer and harder.”
Julie was excited to learn about Fritzi’s successful completion of the Surf City Half Marathon:
“Fritzi, congratulations on 10 years and another half-marathon!” Julie says. “What an accomplishment and a great way to celebrate that milestone!”
Fritzi offers her thanks to Julie and the other running club coaches/leaders for the lessons the experience brought to her life: “It was a great and life-changing experience. It made me fall in love with running, and to continue to run.”
The Bruce Springsteen song, “Born to Run” isn’t about Fritzi, yet it’s an apt description of the many KidWorks experiences that have so positively shaped her life.
By Glenn Leibowitz, volunteer writer