Every minute in our state-licensed preschool is a whirlwind of activity. After all, three through five year old boys and girls are hard at work recognizing colors and shapes, learning the letters of the alphabet, growing their vocabulary and much more.
In the midst of all this activity is Dulce Flores, our hard-working March 2023 Volunteer of the Month.
She’s right beside the preschoolers and our teachers, helping with set-up and clean-up, project preparation, monitoring the children during playtime and helping with hygiene—plus anything else that will assure the classroom runs smoothly.
That alone would keep any volunteer busy. Yet, Dulce has energy in abundance. She’s an active member of our general and preschool parent advisory councils (PACs). These two groups represent the vital link between parents and the KidWorks team, where suggestions and ideas turn into plans and actions.
“As a parent serving on the preschool PAC, Dulce takes her leadership role very seriously,” says Idalia Galdamez, our Preschool Director. “She voices her concerns and offers recommendations for the betterment of our program.”
Adds Idalia, “Dulce also plays an important role in getting things done for the activities planned for the preschool. She ensures communication is ongoing and clear with everyone. We are truly blessed to have Dulce as a member of our PAC; she has literally gone beyond expectations.”
Idalia says Dulce is “a flexible and reliable volunteer.”
She adds that Dulce is always the first to communicate her interest in volunteering for a specific task or opportunity.
Dulce is the proud mother of Enrique, a four-year-old, who is enrolled in our preschool.
“Enrique has learned so much during the time he’s attended KidWorks,” Dulce says. “It amazes me to witness him learn his letters, count in English and Spanish, use new vocabulary, form more complex and longer sentences, recognize shapes and colors, sit and hold a pencil, put away his toys (not all the time, but usually), sit for longer periods of time while he uses watercolors and become more confident in what he does.”
Dulce is a big part of assuring that Enrique and all the students enrolled in our preschool get a solid start on their academic careers.
“I am delighted to see Dulce honored as Volunteer of the Month because of her initiative to help in areas both related and unrelated to preschool,” says Salma De Loera-Dominguez, our Family & Community Engagement Program Assistant.
Adds Salma, “Dulce cares about creating a space where all families feel supported and empowered to develop as local leaders. For example, she’s offered to help with childcare during the English as a Second Language courses now available to parents.”
Salma says she appreciates how Dulce “brings her energy and willingness to learn about the uniqueness of our parents in the PAC. She has been eager to get onboard with the Leader in Me Training, specifically the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families.”
Dulce is not only a person with ideas and opinions, she’s also a doer.
“I offer my hands and feet to help with whatever the teachers need in the classroom and to those serving on the PACs with me,” she says.
Dulce also sees the bigger picture when it comes to the partnership not only between parents and the KidWorks team, but also with the community as a whole.
“It’s important to form a community with the families who are part of KidWorks and the neighborhood as well,” Dulce says. “I’ve gotten to know more about the different needs and gifts of each of the parents.”
She adds, “I believe in order to move forward, in anything, one needs to have a clear goal and work together. PAC meetings allow us parents to know each other, but we also voice our experiences and family goals, which brings us together.”
Dulce’s work experience gives her special insight into how organizations operate at peak performance.
“I’ve been an administrative assistant, a secretary and a receptionist,” she says. “There was also a point when I directed a religious education program. All have gifted me life lessons and made my journey more interesting in becoming a parent.”
Idalia describes our March volunteer honoree perfectly when she says: “Dulce is very caring. She is intentional in telling other parents and staff they are an important part of our program. She fills our hearts with her kind gestures. Dulce is definitely a leader that gives, not only of her time, but also by the special and thoughtful gifts she crafts.”
And the best gift of all is Dulce herself!
By Glenn Leibowitz, volunteer writer