KidWorks Blog
#GivingTuesday has been the global day of giving since 2012. #GivingTuesday always occurs after Black Friday and Cyber Monday and this year its on November 27th.
Everybody has something to give. Whether you come together with your family, your community, your company or your favorite non-profit, it’s an opportunity for you to find a way to give back and then share your ideas.
By joining “A Global Day of Giving,” you’re a part of something big!
“What I’m the most thankful for is the KidWorks Center.”
-Cynthia Ramirez
“What I’m the most thankful for is you guys being here to help us with the homework.”
-Joselyn Torres
“What I’m the most thankful for is the opportunity for new experiences at KidWorks Programs.”
-Isabel Rivas
“What I’m the most thankful for is the center. It has helped me improve my homework and grades.”
-Sophia Sanchez
“What I’m the most thankful for is the neighborhood cleanup event.”
-Cynthia Espinoza
“What I’m the most thankful for is my baby brother and food.”
-Natalie Beltran
“What I’m the most thankful for is the support of my family and friends. The opportunity to get an education.”
-Gabriel Beltran
Editor’s note: We’re delighted to present the second installment in our latest blog series, Giving Thanks. As everyone prepares to celebrate Thanksgiving, we feel this is the perfect time to invite KidWorks’ friends and families to share a little about what they are most thankful for. Look for another installment next week!
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If you ask a teacher what she’s especially thankful for, it’s not surprising that the value of education is right at the top of the list.
In fact, the love of learning and teaching is a common thread that’s woven throughout Elizabeth Nilsen-Doble’s life.
Elizabeth Nilsen-Doble
This KidWorks volunteer was a teacher in New York and California for four decades. Now, she generously brings that wealth of experience to us when she serves as a tutor and after school program volunteer at our Dan Donahue Center.
“I taught in both public schools locally in Cypress and in an independent school in Brooklyn Heights, New York,” she says. “I especially loved the sense of challenge and wonder I saw in my sixth grade students. I’m grateful to have worked with so many incredible young people and their families across the years.”
Elizabeth is also quick to express thanks to her parents and the church.
“My parents immigrated to the United States from Norway,” she says. “I was the eldest of four children. They took us to church, taught us to be responsible and cheered us on whenever we worked hard and made progress.”
Elizabeth is also grateful for the fellowship she enjoyed at the Lutheran church in Brooklyn when she was growing up. She is now equally thankful to be part of the congregation at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach. That’s where she first heard about KidWorks.
“At KidWorks, I always find lots of smiling faces, and students filled with energy and a love of learning,” she says.
Elizabeth Nilsen-Doble and family
Elizabeth perfectly summarizes her own feelings during this season of thankfulness:
“I thank God for health, friends and all the family. Above all, I thank God for His Love, for His peace, for His strength.”
By Glenn Leibowitz, Volunteer Content Writer
Editor’s note: We are introducing our latest blog series, Giving Thanks. As everyone prepares to celebrate Thanksgiving, we feel this is the perfect time to invite KidWorks’ friends and families to share a little about what they are most thankful for. Look for another installment next week!
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Maria Villa knows instantly what fills her with gratitude and thankfulness as the holidays approach.
“If you met my grandmother, Fermina Flores, you’d know why I want to share my story by saying how grateful I am for having her in my life,” Maria says. “She raised and guided me all these years, and so that is why I prefer to call her Mom instead of Grandmother.”
Maria's grandmother provided her with all the love, care, and resources she needed growing up. She lovingly refers to her grandmother as the “ultimate role mode”: Always being caring, lovable and hard working.
Maria and her husband, Juan Carlos, are proud parents who also readily express how grateful they are for their children.
“I have two little ones, Ashley, who is in first grade and enrolled in KidWorks’ programs, and Carlos, who is two-years-old,” Maria says. “My husband and I always do our best with our children. Every day, I remember how Fermina raised me, and I put those parenting skills to good use with my own children.”
Maria sees her life and her family as a blessing from God. She expressed how thankful she is for every blessing God provides to her family each and every day.
“I'm thankful for every person at KidWorks who has made an impact in my daughter and in me throughout the time my family and I have been a part of their programs,” she says. “KidWorks has helped Ashley with her studies, and improving her reading and social skills.”
Maria has a heart of gold and we are grateful that her family is a part of KidWorks as well.
By Glenn Leibowitz, Volunteer Content Writer
