Gabi and Omar Cova are a true love story—not only because they met and married while at KidWorks but also for their love of KidWorks since our early beginnings. Both served for a number of years as KidWorks team members, positively influencing the lives of hundreds of students. They have also served on Christian missions outside of the United States, bringing their love of Christ and His children.
Name: Gabi & Omar Cova
City: Santa Ana
Role at KidWorks
Gabi: high school participant, employee, Board Member
Omar: Los Puentes Afterschool assistant, Myrtle Center Director, YouthWorks Program Coordinator (later I would be the director), Youth and Family Liason.
How did you first become involved with KidWorks?
Gabi: I started in the summer of 10th grade. I hung out with the KidWork’s interns. After that, I was tutored in math, and was then mentored by Joy, a Biola student intern. While in college, I worked at Los Puentes, and after that I went off to college. While attending Biola, I was involved with teen bible studies. Lastly, I served as a Board Member for one term.
Omar: I met Larry Acosta while finishing my senior year at Azusa Pacific University (2003) and he mentioned that a position could be open later that year. After returning from a mission trip I called him and he invited me to come and check out Kidworks. I spoke with Ava and walked the neighborhood. I also met the staff at Los Puentes and Myrtle Street. Since my first visit, I knew this was where God wanted me to be and I ended up serving for 10 years.
Share the most meaningful experiences you’ve had at KidWorks? What made them impactful to you?
Gabi: Having positive role models during my formative years gave me a sense of belonging. Mentors like David, Emily, Larry, Jayme, and others, guided me through my journey as a first generation college student and follower of Christ.
Omar: This is a very hard question because there are a lot of experiences that were meaningful and transformational, including a missions trip. Gabi and I took a group of youth on a mission trip to Ensenada, Mexico for a week in partnership with a Calvary Chapel Spanish church. It brought me joy to see our youth love God and love others in a whole new context. As children of immigrants, they went and served the migrants of Oaxaca that were now working in Ensenada and living in extreme poverty. Seeing them love other kids different than them, laugh, play with them, pray, sing worship, and get to know the love of Jesus more brought me so much joy. Jesus was transforming their hearts to see themselves serve God beyond borders. Finally, on the way back they were able to witness Erika commit her life to Jesus. I had the privilege of baptizing her. I would have to say this was transformational for me as it was for them.
Can you talk about some of the biggest obstacles KidWorks' programming overcame when you were involved.
Gabi: The biggest obstacle I saw was not having enough space for kids that wanted to attend the program. Thankfully, the Donahue center was opened and more kids had a place to attend.
Omar: When the Donahue Center was built I remember really having to trust that God was going to give us wisdom on how to bring together youth and families from both neighborhoods. This was one of the major obstacles that we had to overcome in that early stage.
What does KidWorks mean to you? Looking back, how did KidWorks help to shape your life? How did KW help to influence the person you are today?
Gabi: KidWorks is a place were you can be yourself. It is a safe place were you can be encouraged, guided, and supported.
Omar: At Kidworks I worked with like-minded people focused on living out the gospel of Jesus incarnationally within the community. God used those 10 years to mold and shape me in my faith, in my leadership, and most importantly how to walk with people through their pain and joy.
What are your dreams for KidWorks over the next 10, 20, or 30 years?
Gabi: I dream that KidWorks would continue to support the community it serves and that we would see students and community members give back to their community in a positive way.
Omar: A dream would be that KidWorks would continue to be a place where the community would meet Christ and be transformed by His love!
Anything else you would like to share about KidWorks?
Gabi: KidWorks holds a special place in my heart. I met wonderful people who shaped who I am today.
Omar: KidWorks has a special place in my heart! Continue to seek the wisdom of Christ in all that you do! Blessings!