At our state-licensed preschool, we make sure that even a field trip to a pumpkin patch is a meaningful learning experience for our youngest scholars.
Editor’s note: In this feature, we are proud to introduce you to our newest team members, along with staff who have been recently promoted.
At the end of the article, we ask you to join us in thanking and wishing all the best to several team members who are continuing their successful careers with other organizations.
Michael Baron,
Accounting Associate
“I’m very happy to be working at KidWorks and to play a role helping the children and youth succeed in life. As Accounting Associate, I’m focused on making sure all donations and grants are properly entered into our accounting system. Plus, I make sure all invoices and bills are paid in a timely manner. I’m most excited that KidWorks truly helps the community. That makes the world a better place, too.
Before joining KidWorks, I worked as a mechanical engineer at Haas Automation in Oxnard, California. My passion is travel; I’ve been to over 15 countries. I also played drums all through high school. In high school and college, I volunteered as a counselor at Camp James Kids Summer Camp in Newport Beach.
Rachel Cervantes, Volunteer Coordinator
“I view my new job as a great opportunity to onboard and welcome new volunteers to come alongside us and foster change. I am especially excited to grow professionally and support KidWorks students in additional and new ways. I’m so blessed and fortunate to have found a home at KidWorks over the past six years as an After School Program Leader and most recently as the Arts & Enrichment Coordinator. My favorite place to be is with my family or at Laguna Beach for a sunrise or sunset. I love poetry. I am a twin (older by a minute, which is big in my book!). My entire family has volunteered at some point at KidWorks’ after school programs, Love in Music and at KidWorks University workshops. My husband, Martin, and I have known each other since elementary school.”
Elizabeth Chavez,
Receptionist/Administrative Assistant
“I first became involved with KidWorks as a volunteer. I volunteered as a first and fifth grade tutor, plus helping with KidWorks University workshops, Trunk or Treat at Halloween, Thanksgiving feast for the families KidWorks serves and youth nights. Even though my new job doesn’t involve being in the classroom, I’m glad I can contribute to the students’ success in school. In my new role at KidWorks, I am assisting the Operations team while providing administrative help to other departments as needed. Helping parents is also something I’ll be doing. I’m a dedicated soccer fan, both playing the game and watching matches. In case there is any doubt, you should know that my room at home is filled with soccer posters!”
Nohemi Cohetzaltitla, Administrative Service Assistant
I’m excited to get to know everyone and grow at KidWorks. I look forward to making great lifetime memories here. I see firsthand how excited the students are when they are at KidWorks. It makes me so happy to be part of such an amazing organization. Prior to KidWorks, I was employed as a receptionist and administrative assistant at a tax firm. I love animals and one day my dream is to own a ranch where I care for goats, pigs, horses and alpaca.”
Brizzy Cruz
“I’m beyond blessed to transition into the new Cedar Evergreen Site Director role. I will oversee kindergarten through 12th grade students. I look forward to continuing serving families in the Cedar Evergreen community. I’ll also continue to create kindergarten through fifth grade ‘Leader in Me’ lessons while implementing this curriculum at my site with students, volunteers, staff and families.
Feb. 7 will mark my 15th year serving alongside KidWorks. In my career I have grown professionally and learned so many leadership skills that make me forever thankful for my second home. In my journey I have been honored and blessed to have been a part of all KidWorks’ sites. I started as a volunteer in our state-licensed preschool and Alma Magana, still a teacher with us, believed in me and encouraged me to become part of the KidWorks team. Little did I know I would fall in love serving and walking alongside KidWorks’ mission and vision.
I first became the Townsend Center’s Program Coordinator, went back to school while doing my internship at KidWorks, was back on staff leading and implementing the Arts and Academics Coordinator position, was moved to lead the first combo class at the Dan Donahue Center with kindergarten/first grades and third/fourth grades, transitioned into Cedar Evergreen Site Director, moved on to become the Bishop Manor Site Director and recently the Associate Site Director at the Dan Donahue Center while also in the classroom with kindergarten, third and ninth graders.
Students call me ‘Ms. Brizzy.’ I played the drums and the clarinet in elementary school. In middle school I played volleyball and joined choir. In high school I was a member of the Chicano Club and led assemblies and dances. In college I joined the Child and Adolescent Club and enjoyed my time as a volunteer. I love to dance, took salsa dancing classes and belly dance as my electives while pursuing my college degree. I have a beautiful family of five plus Rokey, my five-year-old pug that made me a fur mom and is my first pet ever. My nickname ‘MaNiNa’ was given to me by a child sent from God, my godson, Jose. It means mom and godmother and he is the world to me because he holds such a special place in my heart.”
Brenda Trujillo Sanchez, College & Career Manager
”It’s exciting to move up from my position as College Readiness Coordinator to my new leadership role as College & Career Manager. I will oversee college and career readiness programs and services for kindergarten through 12th grade students enrolled in our programs. Additionally, I have responsibility for our College Success Initiative, which ensures our students have the resources and support to graduate high school and pursue higher education. We call this ‘From Pre-K to B.A.’
As I continue my career at KidWorks, I see my new responsibilities as a way to continue to lead a team that’s dedicated to creating opportunities for students to dream big, envision themselves on a college campus, explore their interests and be introduced to a variety of meaningful career options. In my spare time, I enjoy nature, hiking and running. One of my 2022 goals is to run a half-marathon. Wish me luck!”
Alyssa Saucedo, Long-term Program Assistant Substitute Teacher
“In my new job at KidWorks, I’ll work with kindergarten, third and ninth grades. I’m so excited to now be part of the amazing KidWorks organization and its wonderful after school program team. I can’t wait to watch my kiddos grow and discover new things about themselves. I’m not entirely new to KidWorks.
I began as an after-school programs tutor in 2014, working with the same grade levels I’m now teaching. I also partnered with KidWorks and ran the Nike Community Outreach program. In addition to my love of teaching, I also enjoy hiking and exploring new trails and states with my family.”
Elise Schroeder, Youth Program Assistant Substitute
“While on staff part of last year through early this year, my focus was on assisting staff with planning and teaching lessons, helping students with homework and building positive relationships with kindergarten through 12th grade students; as the Youth Program Assistant Substitute, my emphasis was grades six through 12. In addition to supporting our incredible students, I assisted staff, volunteers and interns at two of KidWorks' centers, specifically the Dan Donahue and Townsend centers.
As I joined the KidWorks team last year, I was excited to build and deepen my relationships with my students and to have the opportunity to play an active role in their lives as I watched them grow both academically and personally. Serving as both a teacher and mentor to my students truly excited and fulfilled me. Before becoming the Youth Program Assistant Substitute, I volunteered at KidWorks for over two years during after school and summer programs.
Prior to graduating from the University of California, Irvine last year, I was a youth intern at KidWorks for several months as well. I’ve also worked as a tutor and provided in-home tutoring services to K-12 students. When this story is published, I will no longer be on staff at KidWorks because I will be earning my teaching credential from California State University, Long Beach as I work towards my dream of becoming a high school history teacher. Although I will not be at the center as frequently (I still hope to volunteer and give back whenever I can), KidWorks will always carry a special place in my heart. As my team members would say, ‘It’s not goodbye, it’s see you later’!”
Vanessa Sedano
“I’ve been KidWorks’ Volunteer Coordinator for the past several years, and I’m now excited to move into my new leadership role as Volunteer Manager. Overseeing the entire volunteer department will be so rewarding, and I’ll put my past experience as coordinator to work making sure the volunteer experience is the best it can be.
I’m also thrilled to be working with Rachel Cervantes, who has moved into my prior role as Volunteer Coordinator. Together, we’ll further sharpen and build on the systems and processes created by Gerardo Magaña, our former Senior Director of Volunteer and Leadership Resources, now at Young Life, a Christian ministry. I am also exited to continue to build meaningful connections with our volunteers and see them as equally excited to walk with students on their journey at KidWorks and in life.”
Van Vo, Roving Program Substitute Teacher
“As a roving program substitute teacher, I have the wonderful privilege of being able to work with students at all three of KidWorks’ centers, the Dan Donahue, Cedar Evergreen and Townsend Street locations. I work with each of the site directors and program leaders wherever I’m needed.
And I’ve been forming connections with students at all three locations. I’m personally focused on getting to know all of the students and building relationships with them. I’m most excited to have the unique opportunity to meet and work directly with all the students and to experience the love and fun that is KidWorks.
I graduated from the University of California, Irvine last June. I’ve had a variety of part-time jobs in school. Now, along with working at KidWorks, I’m also a preschool paraeducator with the Tustin Unified School District, while also holding down a part-time weekend job at Chipotle. I love baking and trying out new recipes, even though I’m not an expert at it yet!”
Best Wishes to our former colleagues
Please join us in thanking these former colleagues and wishing them all the best in their new roles:
Carolina Garcia, Receptionist/Administrative Assistant at our Dan Donahue Center, now working directly with families at another non-profit organization in Orange County.
SueLynn Kim, Partnership and Donor Relations coordinator is now a staffing specialist at Skylark Staffing.
Gerardo Magaña, our Senior Director of Volunteer and Leadership Resources, now at Young Life, a Christian ministry.
Corina Mora, Receptionist/Administrative Assistant at our Dan Donahue Center, now working in the admissions department for rehabilitation and diabetic care at Hoag and CHOC hospitals.
Rosa Rojas, Preschool Teacher Assistant, now pursuing a degree in early childhood education at California State University, San Francisco.
Erika Sanchez, College and Career Manager, now Director of Hispanic Services at Biola University,
Dianna Valdez, Site Director, Cedar Evergreen; now with the State of California Department of Social Services
KidWorks Parent Council Gears Up For Even Bigger Dreams in 2018
Vianey Quiroz and Maria Peña never set out to be role models when they joined the KidWorks’ Parent Advisory Council. Yet, their hearts for their families, central Santa Ana and KidWorks has led them and 18 other parents to grow in ways they never imagined.
Vianey and Maria are members of our Parent Council, a group formed four years ago to strengthen the bond between KidWorks and the families we serve.
Now, the council is setting even higher goals for itself for 2018 and beyond.
“The council is expanding its focus to include not only KidWorks, but the community as a whole,” says Sonia Rios-Guzman, Parent Engagement Coordinator.
That has included everything from advocating for better street lighting, pushing sometimes reluctant landlords to make necessary apartment repairs and even addressing ways to improve traffic flow at our Dan Donahue Center during especially busy times.
“We really benefit from the leadership workshops where KidWorks has brought in outside speakers,” Vianey says. “We have learned that to make meaningful change you have to understand how government works, make contacts with decision-makers and rally neighbors together because two, three and four is better than one when it comes to issues we all care about.”
Adds Maria, “I went from being an observer to now knowing that I want to be a part of making improvements at KidWorks and the community. I want to give my time, effort and support.”
Like all members of the KidWorks Parent Council, Vianey and Maria have students enrolled in our programs. For Vianey, that includes her son, Jared, a fifth grader; and Jair, a kindergartener. For Maria it is her daughter, Stephanie, a ninth grader. The 20 parents run their monthly council meetings like a well-managed business.
“It’s so good to watch these parents work together as a strong team,” Sonia says. “For each 90-minute monthly meeting, they come prepared with an agenda, prioritize goals and are now in the process to assigning responsibilities and deadlines. They are a really hands-on group, lending invaluable support to events such as our annual resource fairs in the neighborhood.”
Maria says that one of the key lessons she has learned as part of the Parent Council is that meaningful changes rarely happen overnight.
“When a positive change happens, it’s worth all the time, effort and even occasional frustration that it takes,” Maria says. “Because it means we’ve made life a little better for a child, a family and a community.”
Dedicated parents like Vianey and Maria, along with the other members of the KidWorks Parent Council, guarantee that Maria’s dreams for an even better Santa Ana are coming true.
For more information about the KidWorks Parents Council including a calendar of events, click the button below.
By Glenn Leibowitz, volunteer writer
Karina Flores: Longtime KidWorks student is now a leader on our team
It’s inspiring and uplifting to hear the words Karina Flores uses to describe the impact she hopes to have in her newly promoted role as Site Coordinator for our Townsend Street Center:
“I hope that the students as well as the families see me as a person they can trust,” she says. “I hope to have a positive impact in their lives, whether it’s by helping students with homework or just having a conversation. I would like to be a positive impact in the students’ lives, in the same way that KidWorks made such a lasting impact in mine.”
And when she refers to the positive impact KidWorks has had on her life that speaks volumes.
Karina joined our programs as a sixth grader and continued through her high school years. She was also a member of the first-ever group of students who comprised Community Leaders of Santa Ana (CLOSA), our youth-led organization that helps improve the surrounding neighborhood with cleanups, sponsored events and other activities.
She didn’t know it at the time, but her immersion in KidWorks was the perfect preparation for her to join our staff in 2012 as an assistant within the after-school program. Since then, she’s had roles that have included assisting with KidWorks University workshops and a program leader at the Dan Donahue Center. For the past four years, Karina has also been a member of the leadership team responsible for the kindergarten through fifth grade summer program.
Karina is the perfect person to take on the Site Coordinator role from Jessica Ellis, who was recently promoted to Site Director for the Dan Donahue Center. That’s because Karina had been assisting Jessica at the Townsend Center in 2014.
“Karina is so caring and encouraging with each of the students,” Jessica says. “She’s always motivating them and willing to share her personal story about the many obstacles she too faced while growing up in the community. Karina sees the potential in each student and really tries to pull out the best in each one.”
Having grown up in Santa Ana, Karina is well suited to understanding the challenges and opportunities within the neighborhoods we serve.
In addition to the academic achievement she works to develop in each student, Karina also hopes to impart even more of what she’s gained through her KidWorks years: “I was able to grow both personally and spiritually. I came to know God at a deeper level and grow in my faith.”
Outside of work, Karina has a full range of interests and hobbies.
“I absolutely love to dance!” she says. “In high school I was part of the school’s performing dance team. It has always been a passion of mine ever since I was a little girl. I also enjoy doing arts and crafts, scrapbooking and painting.”
Please join us in congratulating this delightful member of the KidWorks team on her new role and in wishing Karina every success.
By Glenn Leibowitz, Volunteer Content Writer