Tag: Staff

Meet the KidWorks Alum: Haide Gutierrez

Posted on by Bryanna Paz

(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 from KidWorks’ programs and have gone on to successful careers in a wide variety of fields. This story introduces Haide Gutierrez, Site Supervisor of our Townsend Street Center.)

When Haide Gutierrez arrives each weekday at our Townsend Street Center to lead our after-school programs, she pauses in front or the dozens of classroom chairs lined up in neat rows.

20 years ago, she sat in those same chairs as a kindergarten student.

Haide, center left, poses for a photo during her time in KidWorks programming.

“My family lived in an apartment not far from the center and I remember running at full speed from elementary school to get to the center before programs began at 4 p.m.,” Haide recalls. “I usually made it with a minute or two to spare!”

As it was during her childhood, the Townsend neighborhood is an underserved area of Santa Ana still prone to the negative impacts of poverty, crime and violence.

“Just as it was for me, KidWorks’ Townsend Center is a trusted, safe haven for families and their sons and daughters,” Haide says.

She adds, “Despite these challenges, the students continue to arrive each school day. We do our best to create a safe space for them, at least for the hour and a half that they are here. It’s a break from what may be going on outside. It’s a chance to learn and have a little fun.”

As site supervisor of Townsend Center, Haide brings joy to her students.

The Townsend Center is located within an apartment complex where one of the units has been converted into a KidWorks classroom.

“The parents are always so incredibly grateful for the resources we provide,” Haide says. “Most people would never guess that we are in the middle of dozens of apartment units, but that means we are just steps away from where those we serve actually live.”

Haide says the challenges in this neighborhood are real but is confident that she is helping to make a positive impact.

Haide builds strong relationships with her students both inside and outside the classroom.

“I have a student who’s in fifth grade who struggles with reading,” Haide says. “I’m really focused on helping her to read words; it’s a skill she simply must have to go forward successfully academically and in life. In these cases, KidWorks is doing our best to help these students catch up and not get left behind.”

For Haide, it also goes far beyond helping students learn the basics. She also wants them to set their sights on higher education and meaningful careers.

“Many of my students would be the first in their families to go to a university or college,” she says. “We work with the students and their parents to plant the seed that this is a realistic possibility and guide them to higher education.

“For example, one of my students plans to study medicine. This was a shift; only last year she doubted this dream was even within her reach. Now, she sees herself as a future nurse.”

Interestingly, that was also Haide’s story. As a youngster she had doubts that college was in the cards for her, yet a KidWorks teacher changed her mindset.

“My teacher at that time said, ‘Haide, you’re going to college.’ And I did!”

Haide graduated from the University of California, Irvine in 2023 with majors in criminology, law and society.

Thanks to alumni like Haide, the future is bright for our students.

Haide says it best:

“KidWorks’ goal is that our students see beyond their circumstances and pursue higher education and a rewarding career. That’s why it’s so important that KidWorks continues expanding our presence into additional communities, helping children and youth realize their full potential.”

Haide Gutierrez, Site Supervisor at Townsend Street Center

By Glenn Leibowitz, volunteer writer

Maria Ruvalcaba: Inspiring Youth for 10+ Years

Posted on by Bryanna Paz

Social Media. AI. The pressure from “influencers.” Today’s youth—like most of us—face a daily onslaught of distractions.

That’s why for KidWorks’ youth a trusted resource like Maria Ruvalcaba is indispensable.

This year, KidWorks’ Leadership Development Coordinator celebrated her 10-year anniversary as a member of our team.

Over the past decade, Maria has been an “influencer” of the best kind: Instilling in our youth a full range of success-based characteristics that include faith, leadership, academic excellence, community service, responsibility, career-readiness, wellness and self-confidence.

Maria poses for a silly photo with KidWorks’ Youth Community Leaders

No one explains it better than our students. Here’s what 18-year-old Leyla Navarro says about Maria:


“Ms. Maria is a blessing. Her strong, independent mindset has inspired me to become a better leader by stepping up for my community, just as she has done.”

Leyla (who plans on becoming a Physician Assistant or an OB/GYN) adds:

“I met Ms. Maria halfway through my high school years and she has made a huge impact in my life by listening to my crazy stories or simply by asking how my day is going. I enjoy Ms. Maria because we share similar interests. Plus, whenever we talk, we are always laughing.”

Maria spearheads our Youth Community Leaders (YCL) team, currently comprised of 18 students from eighth grade through high school. It was formerly known as the Youth Leadership Team.

Under Maria’s stewardship, YCL encourages our youth to get involved in their city and become servant leaders in their neighborhoods through community service projects as well as networking with other youth in partner organizations.  

“YCL encourages youth to be respectful, responsible, accountable, challenge themselves out of their comfort zone, to try new things—and more than anything, to experience joy and passion in all they do.”

Maria Ruvalcaba, Leadership Development Coordinator

Maria adds, “YCL creates that space for youth to learn the value of collaboration and to act. They are not on the sidelines standing idly by as they see the hardships faced by their families and neighbors. Instead, they are encouraged to work together to make a positive impact in their communities.”

All of this has led to meaningful results.

“Most of the new parks around Santa Ana have design elements that came about as a result of our youth collaborating with the city’s parks and recreation department and urban planners to speak into what elements should be included,” Maria says.

She adds, “In my role, I create the leadership lessons that the afterschool program assistants teach to students every Tuesday. I also support the afterschool program team at youth events, the college and career team with the college visits and engaging alumni who have benefitted from KidWorks’ programs.”

Maria and the Youth Community Leaders (YCL) team!

“Maria’s impact can be seen in the confidence, leadership and growth of the students she has mentored over the years,” says Gerardo Magaña, our Associate Director of Programs. “She has cultivated youth leaders who are not only engaged in their schools and communities, but who also understand the importance of servant leadership and giving back.”

Gerardo adds, “Maria leads with a relational, empowering and growth-oriented approach. She believes in giving students ownership and responsibility while walking alongside them with encouragement and accountability.”

“She has a natural ability to connect with young people, making them feel seen, valued and capable of more than they often believe possible for themselves.”

“Over the years, Maria has grown into leadership. Early on, her strengths in relationship-building and youth mentorship were clear. She has continued to expand her skills in leading teams. She has grown in her ability to empower others, delegate leadership and cultivate future leaders around her.”

Maria, behind the camera, snaps a picture of KidWorks students.

Erika Sanchez, our Senior Director of Programs, says:

“Maria’s style is focused on long term impact. She warmly welcomes young students into the fold and allows them to grow and flourish year over year.”

“She also has a deep commitment to walk with students even after high school. She gathers alumni and cultivates community. She celebrates their wins and walks with them during difficult seasons. 

“She is deeply personal and challenges growth in our students. She communicates expectations and upholds youth to these standards. She creates learning opportunities and curiosity among her students.” 

From baseball games to summer beach days, Maria is always looking for exciting ways to connect with KidWorks youth.

Maria knows from firsthand experience that engaging with youth in a way they can relate to is different today than it was 10 years ago.

“Youth have become a lot busier and tougher to engage with at times,” she says. “There’s so much taking up their attention now with social media and other pressures.

“This sometimes make it challenging to capture their attention, interest and level of commitment. However, they still want to be involved; we’re just competing for limited time in their busy lives. And I feel the results show we have been successful in doing that.”

Maria cites one example:

“We are offering more wrap-around services for the entire family through more robust college and career support, practical parenting workshops and youth leadership development opportunities in their communities,” she says.

As Maria begins her second decade of service at KidWorks, we are inspired by her humble reflection on what the journey has been like so far and invite everyone to join us in saying, “Well done,  Maria!”

In her words:

“It’s been such a pleasure and honor to know that I’ve played a small part in someone’s young life and hope that they took away some learning, experiences, opportunities and memories from their time participating and serving on our youth leadership team.”

Maria Ruvalcaba, Leadership Development Coordinator

By Glenn Leibowitz, Volunteer Writer

When you support KidWorks youth with a financial donation, as a volunteer and in other ways, you are directly helping to provide a path forward for tomorrow’s leaders. Learn more. kidworksoc.org/donate