Aalambana is a Sanskrit word meaning support. The Aalambana Foundation—our June 2023 “Volunteer of the Month”—brings that definition to life through the heartfelt way they support KidWorks’ youth in numerous ways.
This Tustin-based non-profit, founded in April 2020, define themselves as “focused on women empowerment, supporting socioeconomically disadvantaged children and community betterment activities.”
They first partnered with KidWorks in 2022 and have made a remarkable positive impact with us since then.
The Aalambana Foundation has provided hundreds of nutritious snacks to students attending our 2022 and 2023 Campus Crash events. Campus Crash Campus provides students an in-person taste of college and university life, with the goal that they pursue higher education.
“We really appreciate how Aalambana provided our students and staff with snacks and food that sustained us during the long days of college campus visits,” says Clarisa Vargas, our College & Career Readiness Coordinator.
She adds, “Aalambana volunteers arrived each morning during Campus Crash with boxes full of snack bags that included water, granola bars, chips and sandwiches.”
The foundation has also lent a hand at our Trunk or Treat event in October, on Friday Fundays and during our spring break events.
We are delighted that Aalambana Foundation is also part of our summer program, a multi-week series of events where students create lifetime memories. Participants experience Bible studies, field trips, outdoor activities, arts and crafts, fellowship and much more.
“Aalambana has been so generous with both time and donations, all of which have made a huge impact on our programs,” says Vanessa Hernandez, KidWorks Volunteer Manager.
She adds, “The organization’s kindness is inspiring. The Aalambana volunteers who’ve participated in our programs have taken the initiative by proactively leading within their assigned groups. They are highly engaged with our students and create a fun and friendly environment.”
Says Deepa Agrawal, Aalambana’s Community Services Coordinator, “I’m looking forward to strengthening the connection between Aalambana volunteers and those who attend KidWorks.”
Deepa says the shared vision between the two organizations to serve others “aligns perfectly.”
“We work with the homeless directly and through other shelter organizations for immediate basic needs,” she says. “While we continue to make good progress in addressing those needs, KidWorks gave us an opportunity to come together, pause, connect, experience the smiles of children and youth celebrating and enjoying through the Trunk and Treat events, spring camps and more. It's been a blessing.”
Aalambana’s reach extends far beyond Santa Ana.
“We support more than 250 kids each year,” Deepa says. “We’re helping children from low-income neighborhoods in Southeast Asia finish college by funding/mentoring and monitoring their progress.”
She adds, “We are also opening a library/mentoring center in rural India which should be functional in several months.”
Aalambana’s youth volunteer base includes more than 300 families and ranges from ages 6 to 17.
“We support more than 10 shelters with food needs on a weekly basis,” Deepa says. “Our kids also love making cards on special occasions for senior centers and kids fighting cancer in hospitals.”
She adds, “Our engagement with KidWorks provides opportunities for teens to get more involved in helping, guiding and mentoring in a way that benefits everyone.”
KidWorks is convinced that the opportunities to partner with the Aalambana Foundation are without limit. The Sanskrit word “support” from which they take their name truly defines this remarkable organization and the sustained positive impact they are having at KidWorks and worldwide.
By Glenn Leibowitz, volunteer writer