When KidWorks first integrated the “Leader in Me” program into our preschool through 12th grade programs in late 2019, Omar Salazar instantly knew he wanted to cultivate his skills as a leader.
In the midst of struggle, the Vega family finds strength in each other and KidWorks
During the toughest years financially for her and her family, Esmeralda Vega worked most days baking loaves of Mexican-style bread stuffed with rice pudding or sweet potatoes. Then, she and her two boys—then just eight and nine years old--would spend hours going door-to-door selling the bread to their central Santa Ana neighbors for $1.50 apiece.
At the end of a long evening, the profit was often only $50. Before or after walking all those miles, her sons, Cristian and Enrique, would sit down to complete all their school homework from that day.
At the same time, Esmeralda’s husband, Enrique, would take any minimum wage job he could find in order to provide for his family. Few of his employers knew that before the Great Recession during the late 2000s and early 2010s, he had been a mid-level manager for 16 years at a major corporation within the food industry.
Today, the Vegas’ are an example of the deep faith in God, unbending tenacity in the face of hardship and strong commitment to others found in so many of the families we serve. The fabric of their lives is deeply interwoven into KidWorks programs, and also in the many hours they volunteer supporting our outreach events into the surrounding community.
Cristian is now a sophomore at highly-regarded Mater Dei High School, having earned one of only two scholarships awarded each year through a partnership between KidWorks and the school. He plans to become a forensic scientist. The younger Enrique is an eighth grader at Saddleback High School. His dream is to become a detective, working in law enforcement.
The Vegas’ are also very proud of daughters Janet, 22, an assistant manager at a finance company and Azucena, 24, a teacher and registered nurse.
KidWorks became a safe haven for the Vega’s two boys four years ago when the Great Recession forced the family to move from a more spacious apartment in the City of Orange, to a much smaller one bedroom apartment not far from our Townsend Center, where they still live.
“My brother and I began attending KidWorks after school programs in 2015 at the insistence of our mom,” Cristian recalls. “At first, we resisted. But then, we figured out that this place was alright after all. We made friends that we’re still close with today.”
Both sons continue to volunteer as altar servers at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Santa Ana, something they've done since Cristian was eight and Enrique was nine. Both daughters did the same from 11 to 20 years old.
Enrique, the husband, gives all credit to Esmeralda for searching out KidWorks and enrolling his sons. “She is our strength,” he states. As he says this, tears slide down Esmeralda’s face as she recalls the struggles they’ve all gone through and how the hardships only solidified the lasting bond between all of them.
It wasn’t long after their two sons joined KidWorks that Enrique and Esmeralda began volunteering at our Dan Donahue Center. They’ve helped out at the Townsend Raitt Street Resource Fair, and Esmeralda has pitched in with childcare, administrative projects and other tasks at the Dan Donahue Center.
Both of them joined the KidWorks Parent Advisory Council in 2016.
“The Vegas’ approach is that community starts with one strong family and this replicates into many other strong families, which leads to an even more resilient Santa Ana,” says Sonia Rios-Guzman, our Parent Engagement Coordinator. “Enrique and Esmeralda have been married for 25 years, and have counseled about 40 soon-to-be-married couples. Their strong character is deeply rooted in each of their wonderful children. We are so grateful for each member of this inspiring family!”
The younger Enrique says it best when speaking about his family’s tenacity: “You never fail if you get right back up when you fall.”
By Glenn Leibowitz, volunteer writer
2017 Foundation For Success Presenting Sponsors: Raising The Bar For KidWorks
A 2nd grade girl in our after-school programs might not yet have heard of American Career College/West Coast University, Balboa Bay Resort, Caribou Industries, Heidi and Ruben Mendoza or Toyota Financial Services—but these generous Foundation for Success supporters have certainly heard of her!
That’s because our luncheon “Presenting Sponsors” have given so generously of time, talent and financial resources to support the event that raises the crucial dollars to support our vital after school programs enjoyed by that second grader and hundreds of other children and youth. This year, we are excited to announce that we have more presenting sponsors than in the history of the Foundation For Success Luncheon. We invite you to get to know our Presenting Sponsors a little bit better:
American Career College & West Coast University: David Pyle philanthropist, Founder/Chief Executive Officer of American Career College and shareholder of West Coast University, has generously supported KidWorks for many years. His organizations have been a Foundation for Success “Presenting Sponsor” since the second year of the event. Yet, David does so much more for our students. He meets with them to discuss their career path, and provides interns to serve in our programs. He and his team have donated hundreds of hours serving at KidWorks. David has also been a major donor to the campaign that helped make possible the expansion of our Dan Donahue Center.
Balboa Bay Resort: The Balboa Bay Resort management Team began supporting KidWorks as a result of the 2013 Foundation for Success luncheon. They have been supporters ever since. We deeply appreciate their consistent generosity on behalf of KidWorks in so many ways. This includes a major gift from their family foundation that contributed to the expansion of our Dan Donahue Center.
Caribou Industries: Mike Harrah, President, has a kind heart and generous spirit for children, youth and their educations. Since connecting with KidWorks in 2015, he has been one of our most generous supporters. This has included the Foundation for Success luncheons, as well as our annual KidWorks Classic Golf Tournament, where he was Title Sponsor in 2017.
Heidi & Ruben Mendoza: Heidi and Ruben Mendoza have been KidWorks supporters since the beginning of our mission to serve children, youth and families in central Santa Ana. Ruben was instrumental in the building of the original Dan Donahue Center and has been actively involved in the recent major expansion of that facility. Both Heidi and Ruben continue to support KidWorks in countless ways.
Toyota Financial Services – Mike Groff, President & CEO, received the 2016 Dan Donahue Leadership award at last year’s Foundation for Success luncheon. That was the first year the award was presented. Toyota Financial Services has been a Presenting Sponsor since the first luncheon, and ever since. His company also donated four vans to KidWorks, which are part of helping us run smoothly each day.
To learn how you can be part of our Foundation for Success Luncheon, please visit: http://kidworksoc.org/foundation-for-success/
Celebrating our ‘star’ students: Liliana Ledezma has a heart for music—and justice
This April, our KidWorks blog series will highlight two extraordinary students. All of our students are “stars” in our humble estimation, and the two we’ll introduce you to this month are examples of how your support develops them in ways that make them contributing members of society throughout their entire lives. In this installment, we are proud to feature Liliana Ledezma.
When you’ve been in the music industry as long as KidWorks volunteer Joe Cristina, recognizing exceptional talent almost becomes instinctual.
When he first met Liliana Ledezma, he knew there was something special about this 18-year-old Mater Dei High School student.
She was one of the very first KidWorks students to enroll in Avanti Music, founded by Joe in 2012 to help our students learn from a professional musician with 37 years of experience in composition, arranging, orchestration and production.
“Lili’s a gifted musician,” Joe says. “She has what we in the music industry call ‘chops.’ Her proficiency includes the flute, piano, ukulele and vocals. She’s also been a big part of live performance musical events hosted by KidWorks.”
Joe also sees a deeply considerate and caring person in Lili, who believes strongly in justice and searching for truth.
“Lili does not settle for the easy answer,” Joe says. “She asks very direct questions in order to get to the underlying truth.”
Another strong trait Joe appreciates in Lili is her encouraging nature.
“Although Lili might be tired from a week of school and work, she is always quick to offer help to another Avanti Music student,” Joe says. “She’s very accepting of new students. Lili makes people feel welcome.”
Joe says there is also a lighter side to Lili that’s just as engaging as her musical talent and sense of fairness.
“She’s really funny.” Joe says. “Her comedic timing is just as finely tuned as her musical talent!”
By Glenn Leibowitz, Volunteer Content Writer
Engage With KidWorks: The Joy of Giving
Editor’s note: Our latest blog series is called “Engage With KidWorks.” We’re excited to share the variety of meaningful—and fun—ways you can become part of the KidWorks experience. In our first installment, we share research that shows how monetary donations to non-profits like KidWorks not only make a sustained meaningful impact—they also make us feel better as people!
A widely acclaimed Harvard Business School research paper published in 2009 (“Feeling Good About Giving”) concluded that those who give a monetary donation to those in need “reported higher levels of happiness.”
In the words of those researcher: "Happier people give more and giving makes people happier, such that happiness and giving may operate in a positive feedback loop."
And there’s the Gallup World Poll conducted between 2006 and 2008 that found people who donated to charity “reported a greater satisfaction with life.”
Finally, consider these statistics from the Do Good Live Well survey of 4,500 U.S. adults who supported a charity: 68 percent reported that it made them feel physically healthier, 89 percent that it “has improved my sense of well-bring” (e.g., happiness) and 73 percent that it “lowered my stress levels.”
Our KidWorks supporters are among the most generous people we know. So, if giving equates to happiness, maybe that’s why our volunteers and contributors have such positive outlooks on life.
Need a lift today? Consider making a donation to your friends at KidWorks!
By Glenn Leibowitz, Volunteer Content Writer
KidWorks student, Isaac Michaca, named to City of Santa Ana planning committee
Isaac Michaca is a young man with both vision and passion for Santa Ana, a city he clearly loves.
In fact, this KidWorks student and Santa Ana College freshman is so committed to Santa Ana and its residents that he hopes one day to serve as mayor.
Before that happens, Isaac realizes that it’s “first things-first.” In that regard, he’s just accepted an appointment as the only youth named to serve a one-year term on the City of Santa Ana’s General Planning Committee.
It’s a significant role that Isaac takes seriously.
“I especially want to be a champion for health and nutrition, urban agriculture, cultural knowledge and restorative justice,” Isaac says.
Those are the same areas of focus he’s had since joining KidWorks’ Youth Empowerment Network (YEN) in 2012. He now serves as a coordinator with the group. YEN is a youth-initiated and youth-led program that develops, designs and address issues that impact youth, their families and their neighborhoods.
One of YEN’s focus areas is one that Isaac plans to be a champion for on the City of Santa Ana General Planning Committee. “Community composting and community garden programs, like the ones we have at KidWorks, will help promote healthy eating, combat obesity and help prevent diabetes,” Isaac says.
Isaac expresses his thanks to those who have helped him along the way. “I have been blessed by the KidWorks staff, my fellow students and volunteers who have helped me to grow into a leader,” he says.
“Isaac’s leadership skills and clear vision will ensure that the voice of Santa Ana’s youth will be reflected in the city’s plans,” says Frank Bejarano, our Director of Youth and Family Engagement. “He will be a major contributor to a plan for Santa Ana that will positively impact the community for generations to come. KidWorks is very proud of Isaac and we are grateful that his heart is so strongly with the community.”
By Glenn Leibowitz, Volunteer Content 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
A Closer Look: KidWorks’ Programs: KidWorks University Workshops
Editor’s note: We are pleased to introduce our latest blog series, “A Closer Look: KidWorks’ Programs.” We offer a full range of programs for children, youth and adults. In this series, we focus on several of aspects, giving you a peek into what makes these programs tick—and sharing a few “little known secrets”!
You can always tell when KidWorks posts the list of workshops conducted by our volunteers: Students crowd around the sheet, clamoring to sign-up for their favorites.
“Whether its music or woodworking, our KidWorks University workshops fill up fast,” says Noemi Juarez, KidWorks’ Director of After School Programs.
The workshops are individually tailored for students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
The idea behind KidWorks University is twofold: First, it allows our students to learn to make the choices they’ll increasingly face as their educations progress, such as what major to select in college. Secondly, it also gives the students a chance to develop their creative sides, which is part of our “whole student” approach to academics, character and spiritual development.
“In many ways, KidWorks University starts to give our students a taste of what a college or university environment will be like,” Noemi says. “They develop skills and interests, and even have the chance to try something new, to have a variety of experiences.”
Variety definitely describes KidWorks University. Classes have included music (classical, folklorico and more), ballet, acrylic painting, pop art, chess, soccer, physical fitness, computers, cooking, electronics (where they made their own flashlights) and poetry.
“Surprise—poetry was more popular than I thought it was going to be!” Noemi says.
She points out that the workshops are all volunteer-led. Each workshop is four to five sessions and there are three to four workshop cycles each year.
“The volunteers are so passionate about their skills, talents and hobbies,” Noemi says. “They are so delighted to share them with our students. Some volunteers have been conducting workshops at KidWorks for years.”
Noemi says that workshop leaders have included anyone with a passion for something they want to share. Volunteer workshop leaders have included high school and college students, Boy Scouts, professionals and retirees.
Interested in leading a workshop? Just let us know. Our students are sure to fill every seat!
By Glenn Leibowitz, Volunteer Content Writer
Townsend Street Fair was a Huge Success!
On Saturday, August 20, 2016 we hosted our largest community event of the year, The Townsend Street Fair. The theme for this year’s fair was Neighborhoods of Action and Hope. Our goal was to increase awareness and access to health related services to strengthen the local community, celebrate its positive attributes, and bring different resources from the community to Central Santa Ana.
Over 50 organizations and businesses attended, all of which brought fun activities for youth and children. Participating organizations included: PBS SoCal, Santa Ana College, Orange County Health Care Agency, Coalition of Orange County Community Health Centers and Community Health Initiative of Orange County, which offered free information and guidance on free and low-cost community services and educational and college opportunities.
Here are some photos from our event:
Questions on getting involved for next year's Townsend Street Fair? Contact Frank Bejarano, Frank.Bejarano@kidworksoc.org for more information.
A Closer Look: KidWorks’ Programs: Youth Empowerment Network
Editor’s note: We are pleased to introduce our latest blog series, “A Closer Look: KidWorks’ Programs.” We offer a full range of programs for children, youth and adults. In this series, we focus on several of aspects, giving you a peek into what makes these programs tick—and sharing a few “little known secrets”!
We’ve all heard the adage, “If you want to get something done, ask a busy person.” At KidWorks, we have our own take: “If you want to make positive change in the community, ask our youth!”
For several years now, the teens involved in our program have put their creative energies to work making the neighborhoods of Central Santa Ana safer, more welcoming and aesthetically pleasing.
They are part of our Youth Empowerment Network, YEN for short. Today, YEN has 25 members, with participants ranging from sixth grade to early college.
“This is really a youth-initiated and youth-led program,” says Frank Bejarano, our Director of Youth and Family Engagement. “They develop, design and address issues that impact themselves, their families and their neighborhoods.”
Funded by a 10-year grant fro the California Endowment, KidWorks’ YEN program is focused on four key areas where the youth continue to make an impact:
- Restorative Justice: Based on the concept of rehabilitation rather than only punishment, YEN has worked hand-in-hand with the Santa Ana Unified School district to find alternative ways to create restoration and healing.
- Urban Agriculture: YEN has helped create a community garden and compost operation at our Dan Donahue Center. The youth are involving the entire community—children, youth, adults and seniors. Their harvest so far has included kale, tomatoes, chilies and more.
- Health & Nutrition: With obesity continuing to be a life threatening problem in Santa Ana and nationwide, our youth are behind efforts to promote healthy choices. One recent success is convincing the Santa Ana School District to again offer fresh salad bars in school cafeterias. They have also mapped the location of fruit trees in the surrounding neighborhood, hoping to eventually establish a local farmers’ market and food exchange.
- Active Transportation: Active transportation lives right alongside the health and nutrition focus. Here, the students have successfully advocated for bike lanes, skateboard parks and other ways to keep arms and legs moving.
“In addition to taking steps to proactively improve their neighborhood, our YEN members are learning leadership and project management skills that will last a lifetime,” Frank says. “They take ownership of opportunities to make neighborhoods better—and then they get it done!”
By Glenn Leibowitz, Volunteer Content Writer
Worship and Concert at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church Feature Our Gifted Musicians
As the pews filled up at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach this past weekend, over 1,200 worshipers were in for a delightful surprise.
They were about to enjoy a Sunday concert and Sunday worship service featuring students from KidWorks’ Avanti program, who joined with Brandon Muchow, St. Andrew’s Minister of Modern Worship & Production, and several other professional studio musicians.
It all came together thanks to the efforts of KidWorks’ volunteer Joe Cristina, who began a KidWorks music program in 2012 called Avanti Music. In Joe, the students learn from a professional musician with 37 years of experience in composition, arranging, orchestration and production.
“The ‘KidWorks/Avanti Music Concert’ was a bilingual presentation, and therefore was a true bridge-builder since residents from Newport Beach and Santa Ana worshipped together,” Joe says.
There are 18 KidWorks students currently participating in the Avanti program. Those who performed at the St. Andrews concert included Lilian Ramirez (vocals) Liliana Ledezma (vocals and flute), Melisa Luis (piano), Julie Cons (violin) and Luis Lopez (guitar).
The second event was held in the church chapel, and was equally well received. Lilian Ramirez joined Brandon Muchow and Hector Rivera on vocals. Emily Barrios, 12-years-old, recently joined Avanti, and she joined in on percussion and vocals.
David Benavides, Executive Director, KidWorks & Councilmember, City of Santa Ana, also spoke to the congregation, sharing KidWorks’ story.
Dan Wendell, Minister of Missions & Outreach at St. Andrews says he is delighted with the result: “Having the students up front, leading through worship was a beautiful example of extending the family and valuing them as part of our community. I was particularly encouraged to learn that as a result of Avanti’s work, Lilian Ramirez, one of the vocalists, will be leaving for San Francisco State University to study music in just a few weeks. The ministry is changing lives."
Lilian and our Avanti students are equally grateful to Joe and the staff at St. Andrews for providing them with such a special opportunity to perform.
"I couldn't get this experience anywhere else than KidWorks and Avanti,” she says.
Knowing Joe’s commitment to Avanti and our students, we can’t help but say, “Encore!” to him and “Bravo!” to St. Andrews for providing such an extraordinary opportunity.
“I just wanted to celebrate a great collaboration between Gather and Send in featuring the students of Avanti/Kidworks at the 5:30 and 11:11 services. Having the students up front, leading through worship was a beautiful example of extending the family and valuing them as part of our community. I was particularly encouraged to learn that as a result of Avanti’s work, one of the vocalists will be leaving for San Francisco State to study music in just a few weeks. The ministry is changing lives.”
By Glenn Leibowitz, Volunteer Content Writer
The Women of KidWorks: Melissa Peralta
Editor’s note: This is the latest installment in our blog series, “The Women of KidWorks.” We celebrate the tireless women who generously serve at our centers each week. Some of these women also happen to be the mothers of our students. Others are KidWorks employees. Their humility, perseverance and love touch our students, staff and volunteers each day. This week, we highlight another very special mom!
Melissa Peralta’s six-month-old daughter, Alanis, isn’t exactly sure where her mom goes each morning. All Alanis knows is that she definitely doesn’t want her to leave.
Melissa, who has been KidWorks’ Volunteer Resources Manager since 2014, knows that one day her young daughter will understand that the unlimited love she has for her also extends to the hundreds of children and youth that Melissa pairs with our dozens of volunteers.
Since her days as a student at the University of California, Irvine, Melissa has had a deep desire to help others. Her position at KidWorks represents that ongoing commitment. Prior to KidWorks, she’s served at Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and Olive Crest in roles that included case management and volunteer engagement.
As a child, Melissa spent summers and weekends with her grandmother, Chole, at Chole’s home just a few blocks from our Dan Donahue Center. The neighborhood today still faces the challenges of gangs, drugs and violence that it did back then.
“As children, we weren’t allowed to go outside the gate; we had to stay in the front yard,” Melissa recalls. “Whenever I heard the gunshots, my Mom would say, ‘Don’t worry. We’ll make sure you are safe.’ It wasn’t until years later that I knew what I was being protected from.”
Melissa sees KidWorks as an antidote to the negative aspects of the neighborhood.
“The kids are so happy to come to our centers,” she says. “They are eager to learn and to be safe from what is happening outside our doors.”
Melissa sees a clear link between the help our volunteers provide to our students and her own parenting responsibilities with Alanis.
“I do everything possible to invest in my daughter’s future,” she says. “Our volunteers are also doing everything in their power to make the same investment in our students.”
As KidWorks expands and accepts more students, Melissa knows that there is much hard work ahead to recruit even more volunteers.
Her parents, Benjamin and Carmen, who worked long hours to provide for their family, inspire her. “I am willing to put in as many hours as it takes so KidWorks continues making a positive impact in Santa Ana,” she says. “I tell every volunteer that even if they are only able to dedicate one hour a week, they are having a crucial impact on young lives.”
As six-month-old Alanis grows older, we know that she will be filled with pride in her mom and all she does to help others. Of course, KidWorks and our dedicated volunteers already feel that way, Melissa!
Noche De Las Estrellas
On Friday, June 10th, we celebrated our annual Noche De Las Estrellas (Night of the Stars). Noche De Las Estrellas is an evening to celebrate our graduating seniors and this year was one for the books!
We are so proud to be sending our students into the world better equipped for college, the workforce, relationships, volunteerism, and community building! But our job doesn't end here, we are committed to doing life with these rock stars for the long haul.
Help us congratulate the KidWorks Class of 2016!
A Tale of Two Santa Anas: Kaely Catalan
Editor’s note: We are so proud of our graduating high school students, who later this year will begin attending colleges and universities. “A Tale of Two Santa Anas” is our latest blog series, where the seniors tell their personal story in their own words.
I’m an optimistic person. Maybe I got that way because I’ve seen difficult situations and learned the importance of making wise decisions.
For about 10 of my 17 years, my family and I have lived in an apartment where the neighborhood confronts the bad that comes from gangs, drugs, violence and poverty.
When my family first moved into the neighborhood, my twin 17-year-old sister, Leslie, and me looked around and said to each other, “What is this all about? Are we going to be safe?”
But I came to realize that new surroundings are also new beginnings. The gangs and drugs did not attract me. Instead, I said to myself, “That’s a problem. Avoid it. Don’t get pulled in.”
In June, my sister and I are graduating from Godinez Fundamental High School and in September we’ll both begin attending California State University, Fullerton. I’m majoring in communications. I’ll focus on either public relations or speech.
I love to write, and I’m an active blogger about music on social media, with over 3,000 followers!
So much credit goes to my parents and to the staff and volunteers and KidWorks who helped me all these years.
My parents always emphasized the importance of family. “Family first,” is one of my Mom’s favorite sayings. Another is, “Everything comes in its time.”
To me, these words of wisdom mean to put others above material objects and to not grow up too fast.
Some of my friends ask, “What’s the name of that center you go to?” “It’s called Kidworks,” I say.
We need more places like KidWorks and more people like the staff and volunteers there who help students like me!
By Kaely Catalan
A Tale of Two Santa Anas: Edgar Morales
Editor’s note: We are so proud of our graduating high school students, who later this year will begin attending colleges and universities. “A Tale of Two Santa Anas” is our latest blog series, where the seniors tell their personal story in their own words.
I guess not everyone grows up on a street where you have to avoid gun crossfire from feuding gangs from the time you start walking to school as a kindergarten student all the way through high school.
But that’s how it is on Townsend Street where I still live. I constantly have to check my surroundings, looking behind me and side-to-side, whenever I leave our apartment.
I’m 17-years-old now, but gangs and violence are still an everyday fact of life on my street
As a kid, I learned that anything could happen, and it often did.
But I never joined a gang. And neither did my 21-year-old brother, Javier. It just wasn’t for us.
I recently graduated from Mater Dei High School, and in September I will begin attending California State University, East Bay, in Northern California.
My dream is to become an architect.
I’ve attended KidWorks programs since kindergarten. Now, I volunteer there six days a week, tutoring second, fifth and eighth graders. I also help out with the “Love & Music” program for aspiring musicians.
When I tutor at KidWorks, I remember all the volunteers who encouraged me when I was frustrated with my homework and wanted to give up.
I recall the words of my KidWorks tutors from years ago, and say them back to the young kids I’m now helping: “You are really smart. You can totally do this. You made it this far. Now, keep going.”
My tutors’ words of wisdom will never leave me. They keep me motivated and focused as I take my next steps forward towards a university degree and successful career.
By Edgar Morales
Take Note: Lilian, 18, Sings On Professionally Produced Music Album
Editor’s note: This is an update to a previous KidWorks blog story about Avanti, founded in 2012 by KidWorks volunteer Joe Cristina. In Joe, the students learn from a professional musician with 37 years of experience in composition, arranging, orchestration and production.
KidWorks student Lilian Ramirez might not yet have a GRAMMY award on her shelf, but just give her a little time.
The 18-year-old high school senior recently contributed several vocal tracks to a Latin/jazz/fusion album project being written/produced by Joe and fellow professional musician, Victor Cajiao.
Both Joe and Victor lead Avanti classes at KidWorks that are very popular with our youth.
“Lilian will be on two of the album’s tracks,” Joe says. “One is an original titled ‘Through the Dark Night / The Lamp.’ It’s a modern lament psalm that has an end section that speaks of hope coming to the neighborhoods in Santa Ana.”
Lilian found the entire process exhilarating.
“The recording experience was phenomenal!” she says. “It was more difficult than I thought it would be. Getting that perfect sound is tedious but once you pinpoint it, it feels amazing. I felt the adrenaline pumping the entire time. I never thought I had that energy in me.”
Lilian will begin attending San Francisco State University this fall.
“I want to become a full-fledged musician and earn my Bachelor of Arts degree in music,” she says. “I also want to become a composer and record music.”
Joe is very encouraged by Lilian’s God-given musical talent. He also says her participation on the upcoming album is giving her priceless insight about what it’s like to be a professional musician.
“During the session, Lilian sees how we do sound checks, monitor her vocal levels, and keep performing each piece over and over again until we get a take that’s the keeper.”
Joe expects the album he and Victor are producing to eventually be available on iTunes and Amazon.
So, as they say in the music business, “stay tuned”!
By Glenn Leibowitz, Community Volunteer and Content Writer