Meet the KidWorks Alum: Haide Gutierrez
August 19, 2026(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… Continue Reading
Tag: summer programs
Q&A with SLAY: KidWorks’ newest leadership cohort
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:
SLAY’s inaugural cohort, nicknamed the “SLAYdies,” pose for a photo with the KidWorks team.
1. What does “leadership” mean to you?
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.”
2. Why is it important for youth in your community to pursue leadership opportunities?
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.”
3. Why did you choose to apply to the Summer Leadership Academy for Youth (SLAY)?
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.”
4. What has been your favorite part/memory of participating in SLAY?
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.”
5. How have your leadership skills grown throughout your time in SLAY?
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.”
6. In 3 words, how would you describe your SLAY experience?
Jeritzel M., 9th grade: “Fun. Educational. Hands-on.”
7. You are part of the inaugural cohort for SLAY, what does it mean to you to belong to this new group here at KidWorks?
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.”
8. What is something you’ve learned from a SLAY mentor that impacted how you approach leadership?
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!”
9. What is one piece of advice you’d give to someone thinking of joining SLAY?
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.”
10. How do you plan to practice leadership after your time in SLAY?
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!
The “SLAYdies” celebrate their summer at KidWorks with a trip to 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.
Summer Camp: Faith & Fun
After nine months of classes and homework, every student needs a vacation. That’s exactly what KidWorks provided for 36 students in sixth through 12th grades who attended our Yosemite summer camp in early July.
“Ranked right at the top of our students favorite KidWorks activities is attending Star Rock Ministries summer camp,” says Maria Ruvalcaba, our Youth Leadership Development Coordinator.
“During this week, they see each other in different ways and in a different setting than what takes place during the school year,” Maria says.
Adds Maria, “Students are able to express their faith in God while enjoying nature with their friends in a fun environment. They see each other in a vulnerable way, too, as they experience new challenges, such as rock climbing and a high ropes course.”
“One student who challenged himself this year is Joel C.,” says Jesus Arroyo, a Program Assistant at our Dan Donahue Center. “At the beginning of camp, Joel was terrified of heights. Despite his fears, he decided to test himself during the rock-climbing wall and tall pole challenges.”
Adds Jesus, “On his second attempt, Joel told us that his goal was ‘to reach the top.’ Relying on his friends’ cheering and the directions from the staff, he was able to accomplish his goals.”
Jesus says this led to sharing the Bible verse 1 Thessalonians 5:11 that says, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
For 10 years, KidWorks has partnered with Star Rock Ministries, who offer a summer camp that they describe as “Christ-centered camp experiences that grow faith, relationships, character, and life skills to youth from under-resourced communities and the U.S. military.”
On July 2, campers from all three KidWorks centers boarded buses with six of our staff and arrived hours later at Yosemite Sierra Summer Camp (YSSC), just in time for “XLR8” week, made possible through donations and funding from the Urban Youth Workers Institute (UYWI) and their collaboration with Star Rock Ministries Christian Camps.
Among the popular activities our youth were able to select from were nature walks, visiting a waterfall, arts and crafts, skateboarding, archery, rock and wall climbing, tomahawk throwing, marksmanship, pole climbing, a high ropes course and banana boating on Bass Lake.
“This year’s summer camp was especially meaningful because everything Star Rock Ministries included in the July 2 through 7 experience was an intentional blend of growing the students’ faith in Jesus as inspired by the beauty of nature that surrounded them,” says Cynthia Gomez, our Youth Lead.
KidWorks is also very grateful to Kelsey’s Corner for Christ, a ministry formed by Jill and Troy Potts in memory of their daughter, Kelsey Faith, who went to heaven 10 years ago at age 13.
“Our amazing and generous family and friends joined with us to collect and put together 40 backpacks full of goodies for students to take to KidWorks camp,” Jill says. “This included items such as beach towels, sunscreen, lip balm, flashlights, hand sanitizers, journals, water bottles, socks and lots of snacks. We also provided each camp attendee with their own Bible.”
Adds Jill, “We are so grateful the Lord led us to KidWorks, a wonderful organization to partner with and to be a blessing to these 40 campers, sharing the love of Jesus with them.”
Many of our students have never before slept under the stars or even attended a summer camp. That made their visit to Yosemite perfectly timed after working so hard during the past academic year. A few days at camp also assures that they are refreshed and energized for the school year that’s about to begin!
By Glenn Leibowitz, volunteer writer