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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
KidWorks summer theme is “Celebrate” in conjunction with KidWorks 30th anniversary and Rexford Industrial brought the party to a whole new level.
Their energetic employees from the Rex for Good program decorated our centers in time for the start of summer. The colorful decorations set the tone for a party-like atmosphere.
KidWorks summer programs provide students with fun and meaningful experiences designed to expand their worldview and build their confidence. Students look forward to summer programs all year.
“The team from Rexford was fun and engaging. Their service provided huge time savings to KidWorks program staff and their work set the tone for an amazing summer.” said Abigail Moore, Donor Relations & Outreach Manager at KidWorks.
KidWorks provides meaningful opportunities for corporations, churches and civic groups of all sizes to partner with our students. Volunteering together will make a positive impact on employee morale while meeting your company’s corporate social responsibility goals.
Engage your corporation with KidWorks :
abigail.moore@kidworksoc.org
Phone: (714) 834-9400 x129
Engage your corporation with KidWorks :
abigail.moore@kidworksoc.org
Phone: (714) 834-9400 x129
| 1902 W. Chestnut Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92703 | |
Eighteen years ago, Antonieta Pintor first stepped into a small apartment on Townsend Street in Santa Ana. It served as one of the first KidWorks neighborhood centers.
Nearly two decades later, our May 2024 “Volunteer of the Month” reaches out to parents in the community to encourage them to enroll their daughters and sons in our programs.
“To say that Antonieta is a tireless ambassador for KidWorks would be an understatement,” says Sonia Rios-Guzman, our Family & Community Engagement Manager.
Antonieta is especially active in our Parent Advisory Council, a group formed over six years ago to strengthen the bond between KidWorks and the families we serve.
“Antonieta is a wonderful advocate and steward for KidWorks in the central Santa Ana community,” Sonia says. “She distributes flyers and information about our programs throughout her neighborhood and at area schools.”
Sonia adds, “She is constantly on the lookout for ways to connect with other parents, telling them about the opportunities at KidWorks that would benefit their children. She doesn’t think twice about lending a hand to support her neighbors.”
This year alone, Antonieta has logged more than 50 volunteer hours at KidWorks.
In addition to serving on the Parent Advisory Council, our Volunteer of the Month also regularly lends a hand at various KidWorks events during the course of the year. This includes our Christmas store where parents can shop for holiday gifts at a greatly discounted price (where proceeds go towards a benevolence fund for families in need), distributing Thanksgiving food baskets to struggling families and our Trunk or Treat fall event in October.
Sonia has seen Antonieta emerge from her natural shyness to become proactive in sharing ideas with KidWorks’ staff and members of the Parent Advisory Council.
“I try to voice my thoughts and help other parents whenever they’re in need,” Antonieta says. “I’ve learned many good skills by being a part of the Parent Advisory Council; I try my best to implement what I’ve learned.”
One of her ideas that’s been adopted is free bus transportation between our Townsend and Dan Donahue centers for ninth through 12th grade students. This gives parents and students an added measure of safety, especially during times when it gets dark earlier and KidWorks programs for youth continue into the early evening hours.
Being an actively engaged KidWorks parent has been one of Antonieta’s key areas of focus.
“I enjoy helping my peers and connecting them with resources,” she says.
All of Antonieta’s children have been involved with KidWorks:
Daniela, Jorge and Natalia are all still enrolled in KidWorks programs.
They’ve participated in our after-school programs, as well as our spring and summer events.
Antonieta has instilled in her children the same commitment to serving others as she asks of herself.
They’ve all volunteered at KidWorks community service events such as neighborhood clean-ups and street fairs.
In her spare time, Antonieta enjoys walks with her family and their dogs. She’s also an excellent cook, often preparing dishes for the Parent Advisory Council, such as mole, which is a traditional dish made in her hometown of Guerrero, Mexico
Antonieta is representative of the many parents who volunteer at KidWorks in countless ways. She’s planted the seeds of service, academic excellence, leadership and faith in her children as well as in so many others.
Thank you, Antonieta, for all you have done on behalf of the community and KidWorks.
By Glenn Leibowitz, volunteer writer
Click below to learn more about KidWorks Family and Community Engagement Programs
For many years during the 2000s, students at our Dan Donahue Center would eagerly await the arrival of Robert “Bob” White for his weekly tutoring sessions at our Dan Donahue Center.
“Mr. Bob! Mr. Bob!” they would shout, before running up to give him a hug, although many of the youngest were barely tall enough to reach his knees.
Mr. White recently passed away at the age of 93.
The entire KidWorks team mourns his passing. Many of our longtime staff members recall his warm presence and the way he always encouraged students to do their best.
Mr. White began volunteering in our after-school programs in 2003, making a connection with KidWorks through his attendance at Village Bible Church. He and his wife, Lydia were also donors over the years.
“Bob had the perfect blend of getting the students to laugh at his kidding around while also keeping them focused on their homework and completing school assignments to the best of their ability,” says David Benavides, KidWOrks Chief Executive Officer.
“Bob was also a role model, having served as a U.S. Marine and then having had a successful career working for Orange County government in finance capacities,” David adds.
Mr. White was especially adept at working with second graders during after-school homework sessions. The kids might cajole him to “please just give me the answer,” but this wise tutor would instead lead them through the steps to get to the answer themselves.
Mr. White also had a bit of a mischievous side. During snack time, he might hide an item behind his back and feign innocence before returning it to a laughing student who always pretended to be surprised no matter how many times Bob repeated the prank.
Many of the students Mr. Bob tutored are now young adults. He positively impacted their lives—and ours—forever. We miss our dear friend.
Erika Sanchez, one of KidWorks’ most accomplished alumni, was recently elected to serve on our Board of Directors.
Erika was enrolled in KidWorks as a student from second grade until she graduated from Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana.
In 2015, Erika earned her Master of Arts in Transformational Urban Leadership degree from Azusa Pacific University.
She also served on our staff for three years, with her final role being College & Career Manager. In that role, Erika created the College & Career Success initiative, which is a keystone program of the organization today.
Erika is now Project Director of Hispanic Serving Institutions at Concordia University in Irvine, California. Prior to that she was Director of Hispanic Services at Biola University.
Erika also served in long-term missions in the Philippines where she worked at a non-profit to create scholarship opportunities for first generation college students.
She has 10 years of experience in higher education access, scholarship development and first-generation support services. She is fluent in English, Spanish and Tagalog.
“Erika is a very strong addition to our board,” says David Benavides, KidWorks’ Chief Executive Officer. “Our board is comprised of a wide spectrum of talented individuals from various industries and walks of life. Our newest board member brings with her both the perspective of a former student and staff member.”
“I’m excited to contribute my insight and expertise as a community leader,” Erika says. “My experience as an alumnus and as a previous staff member will inform the decisions I make serving in this important leadership position. I continue to champion KidWorks’ students and families.”
Erika says she is excited by a board member’s duties, which include fiduciary responsibility, oversight of the organization’s budget and key decisions about the future.
Our newest board member says her leadership role at Concordia University is a perfect fit with her service on our board.
“At Concordia University, I oversee the institution’s first and largest federal $9 million grant, which funds the implementation of effective programming to support Hispanic student enrollment in higher education, retention and graduation.”
She adds, “Through my expertise in program development and expansive experience working with Hispanic first-generation students, I have been able to build a team of faculty, staff, students and partners to do this work in the Santa Ana community.
“On the board, my goal is to provide a wide scope of knowledge and a bird’s eye view of the ever-changing landscape within higher education and its impact on KidWorks’ students. I hope to be a valuable partner with KidWorks, a vital Hispanic-serving non-profit.
“My expertise is in program development. I think of myself more closely to an engineer, creating and building something new. I enjoy building a team that is high in trust that is brave enough to be creative and willing to troubleshoot.”
She adds, “In my off hours I have fun with my dog, a two-year-old husky. I also enjoy gardening and hosting dinner parties/gatherings. It’s always a special treat to spend time with my nieces and nephews.”
We are grateful for the journey we’ve shared with Erika for so many years. We are thankful that this KidWorks’ star is now helping us chart the course for an even more impactful KidWorks future.
By Glenn Leibowitz, volunteer writer
Second graders in KidWorks’ after-school programs know that Ed Duong—our February 2024 “Volunteer of the Month”—is the go-to guy when it comes to anything from helping with a tricky math homework problem to microwaving their chicken nuggets snacks to just the right temperature.
Ed volunteers an impressive 16 hours each week (Monday through Thursday), working with second and eighth graders, along with assisting at our events and community outreach. He also helps with high school students when needed.
“Ed has excellent charisma with the students,” says Rosie Estrada, Program Assistant. “He’s like a best friend to them. He’s very open-minded and always finds solutions when students need additional support with certain subjects. Ed makes it a priority to help everyone in the best way possible.”
Ed has donated over 200 hours of his time since he first started volunteering in January 2020, with a hiatus when the pandemic put in-person programs on hold.
He discovered KidWorks through an online search, having previously volunteered at soup kitchens and with food drives, but was looking for a different experience.
“I wanted to work with youth from under-served neighborhoods in a way that would be impactful,” Ed says.
“Establishing good habits while someone is still young and highlighting their potential helps encourage them to continue striving for success.”
Ed graduated from UCLA in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science degree in molecular, cellular, and development biology with a minor in biomedical research.
He plans to attend medical school and is keeping an open mind about an area of specialization, such as becoming an ophthalmologist or a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician.
“Ed is a standout volunteer,” says Vanessa Hernandez, our Volunteer Manager. “He brings such positivity to our after-school programs, along with joy and laughter to events as Fun Fridays, Youth Feast and Youth Lock-in.”
Vanessa adds, “His warm-heartedness and eagerness to support wherever required are truly uplifting. Ed’s remarkable dedication reflects his genuine care for every student. We’re truly fortunate to have such an exceptional volunteer on our team!”
Rachel Cervantes, our Volunteer Coordinator, says Ed “has been an incredibly consistent and dependable volunteer who always goes above and beyond to make sure the students and staff have the support they need.”
Our February “Volunteer of the Month” is very intentional and thoughtful about every aspect of volunteering, including how to approach homework help to maximize learning potential.
“I prefer to help the students solve the work themselves as opposed to outright telling them the answers,” Ed says. “For example, I accomplish this by alternating between reading a problem and having them read it. I also double check their work, point out their mistakes, and ask them how they can fix them.”
Ed adds, “I encourage the use of tools such as the abacus or finger counting for math. For the older students, I help them by showing them how to do or set up a problem and then having them do a problem. If they need more help, I always ask them what the next step should be.
“For grammar, I have them read the sentence or take turns reading sentences if it is too much for them. I try to have them do most of the work with me guiding them if they don’t initially grasp a concept.”
Ed employs this approach with a view of the long-term benefits it yields.
“I hope the students learn good habits and foundations at KidWorks to work towards a brighter future,” he says. “I hope that KidWorks continues to be a community and mission-driven organization that helps youth grow and have a sense of belonging and allows parents to be involved with the development of their sons and daughters.”
As Ed takes the next steps in pursuing a medical career, we can attest firsthand to his deep care and compassion for others. We are honored that he has chosen KidWorks as a place to share himself.
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.
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:
“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.
Halloween arrives at KidWorks a little ahead of Oct. 31, and we invite you to join the fun in several ways at our annual Trunk or Treat event on Oct. 27 at our Dan Donahue Center:
To volunteer, please contact Vanessa at Vanessa@kidworksoc.org or (714) 834-9400 x115.
Since this is KidWorks’ 30th anniversary, we’re also weaving that milestone into our Trunk or Treat festivities. Various departments within KidWorks are planning creative ways to integrate the anniversary into the event.
Our Parents Advisory Council members will prepare and sell their favorite foods.
Participating with booths and other support will be AmWest, Carrazco Law, Dentistry 4 Kids, Girl Scouts of Orange County, PureGame, Teen Challenge and US Bank.
Trunk or Treat has been a tradition at KidWorks since 2018. It provides a safe, wholesome alternative way for our students and their families to enjoy Halloween.
We’d love to have you join in on all the fun.
On a recent Monday in late June, nearly 100 students in grades kindergarten through fifth gathered during our 2023 summer program at the Dan Donahue Center to sing a worship song titled “Fruit of the Spirit.” Volunteer Stephan “Buddy” Joe joined in with just as much enthusiasm as those raising their voices in praise.
What the students probably didn’t know was that our September “Volunteer of the Month” had been working many hours behind the scenes, decorating, setting up, preparing for snack distribution and much more so the summer experience would create lifetime memories.
He also helped with announcements, games and other activities during the June 19 through July 14 summer program.
“Buddy has volunteered nearly every single day during our summer program and stayed throughout each day,” says David Saucedo, a Program Assistant at our Dan Donahue Center.
Adds David, “Seeing him be so determined and hardworking when it came to meeting deadlines and decorating was awesome because it shows how much he cares that the decorations are done just right, but more importantly his dedication to our students.”
Cynthia Gomez, our Youth Lead, says Buddy has been a much-appreciated summer volunteer in other ways, too.
“Buddy has chaperoned our teens during our field trips, performed snack duty and conducted headcounts,” Cynthia says. “He’s very approachable and has a very kind nature that’s earned him the trust of our students and staff.”
Our September honoree lives in Window Rock, Arizona, the capital of the Navajo Nation. At his own expense and with financial help from family and friends, he’s traveled to California the past two years, specifically to support our summer programs.
“The most rewarding aspects of being involved with KidWorks for me is getting to know and develop relationships with the kids and having fun with them, seeing them brighten up when they see me, making new friends with the other volunteers and staff and experiencing life in Santa Ana,” Buddy says. “Another is when kids remembered me from when I was here last year; that’s something I didn’t expect.”
The students let Buddy know he’s recognized and appreciated.
“One time as I was walking back to my Airbnb, which is just a short distance from KidWorks,” Buddy says. “It was at the end of the day and I heard sweet little voices yelling out ‘Hey, I remember you, I know you from KidWorks!’”
He adds, “It was a group of about four or five children playing in their yard. They all ran up to me and started excitedly talking all at once. We talked together for a while; it just goes to show the impact in the community that KidWorks’ volunteers have.”
It’s perfectly natural that Buddy relates so well with our students. His career in education has included work as a preschool teacher, a teacher’s aide and leading classes in the areas of music physical education and hands-on learning.
Our September honoree is a person of deep faith.
“My Catholic faith is of utmost importance to me and is interweaved in everything I do,” Buddy says. “I want to live my life for Christ and do my best to lead others to Him by word and deed. Before volunteering at KidWorks, I hadn’t realized it was a faith-based organization; that was a huge plus!”
Buddy also shares how he likes to spend his leisure time.
“I enjoy reading classics, spirituality books and books about the inner workings of people,” he says. “I learn and practice meditation and mindfulness.”
He adds, “I love anything outdoorsy, like hiking and camping. I love traveling, having been to the Philippines, Mongolia, the arctic part of Canada and Guatemala–not so much as a tourist but as someone open to sharing life with the people I’m visiting. I know the basics of guitar, piano, ukulele and violin.”
As KidWorks celebrates our 30th anniversary, Buddy joins us in having big dreams for our future and the City of Santa Ana.
“My hope for KidWorks is that it continues being a beacon of light in Santa Ana and beyond, actively expressing love for the children and their families,” Buddy says. “My hope for Santa Ana is that the community would work together to create a safer, brighter, and hopeful future for their children.”
With such a positive and inspiring outlook as that, it’s no wonder that Buddy is the perfect KidWorks volunteer.
By Glenn Leibowitz, volunteer writer
This is a required class for anyone who wants to be a volunteer or intern at KidWorks. Please contact Rachel.cervantes@kidworksoc.org for training details and the zoom link to participate.
http://kidworksoc.org/volunteers
This is a required class for anyone who wants to be a volunteer or intern at KidWorks. Please contact Rachel.cervantes@kidworksoc.org for training details.
http://kidworksoc.org/volunteers
