Since PBS SoCal first formed a partnership with KidWorks three years ago, they’ve provided unique and groundbreaking programs that have positively impacted those we serve—from preschool through high school students, and their parents as well.
A Closer Look: KidWorks’ Programs: Community Parent Council
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”!
“They’re definitely fired up.”
That’s how Frank Bejarano, our Director of Youth and Family Engagement, describes the KidWorks Community Parent Council.
The Community Parent Council is a group of eight women from the neighborhood that’s nearby KidWorks’ Dan Donahue Center. Over the past eight-plus years, they have turned fear and concern about the problems on the streets where they and their families live into action that has significantly improved the quality of life.
“When they started out, these women had never spoken before a city council or navigated through the processes required by a local governmental agency,” Frank says. “Now, they can confidently sit at a table across from staff representatives from the City of Santa Ana or get all the permitting and approvals needed for a large street resource fair. They are impressive to watch in action.”
While KidWorks provides meeting facilities and advice, the Community Parent Council is largely autonomous. They identify the issues of safety, neighborhood improvement and community collaboration that matter most to them. Then they get results.
Several examples of their success include having the city replace burnt out lights at Jerome Park, getting approval for a crossing signal to be installed at an intersection where pedestrians have been struck by cars and pushing landlords to spruce up rundown buildings.
“One of their most effective outreaches was a community walk attended by the Director of Public Works, Code Enforcement Manager Alvaro Nuñez, Santa Ana City Manager David Cavazos and Santa Ana Police Chief Carlos Rojas,” Frank says. “The women showed them first-hand the impact of gangs, illegal drug dealing and infrastructure neglect. The community parent councilmembers are tenacious. They don't quit. Results soon followed.”
The KidWorks Community Parent Council focuses on external issues in the surrounding neighborhood, while the KidWorks’ Parent Advisory Council works with our staff to offer suggestions and ideas about how we can continuously improve our programs.
“Both are examples of how those we serve take a personal ownership in their community and the overall well-being of others,” Frank said. “Their enthusiasm is a fire that never goes out.”
By Glenn Leibowitz, Volunteer Content Writer
The Women of KidWorks: Karina Torres
With three of her six children currently learning how to play a musical instrument, Karina Torres knows the importance of perseverance and determination.
She puts that philosophy to work at KidWorks, where this mom has volunteered for over seven years.
“Like with a musical piece, a plan is only successful if it is well thought out and you work really hard to make it the best it can be,” Karina says. Then she smiles and adds, “I don’t like to just sit around, and if something needs to get done, I don’t need to be asked; I jump in!”
Sonia Rios-Guzman, our Parent Engagement Coordinator, says Karina is definitely a woman of action.
“Even though it might seem like Karina’s plate is full with six children, she still manages to volunteer and support KidWorks in so many ways,” Sonia says. “And she does all of this while fully supporting her children in their educations.”
One of the ways Karina helps KidWorks is with our “Love & Music” program for aspiring musicians. Karina is proud that three of her children are in the program: Evelyn, 13, and Ashley, eight, who are both learning the violin and Jesse, 10, who is mastering the flute.
Karina volunteers in many other ways at KidWorks. She is part of our Parent Advisory Council, has helped with neighborhood clean up days and both our Myrtle and Townsend Street Resource fairs. For the most recent Myrtle Street Fair, she helped make over 150 ham and cheese sandwiches that were given out for free to those from the surrounding neighborhoods who attended.
Karina enrolled her daughter, Evelyn, in our after school programs six years ago when Evelyn was still in elementary school.
“KidWorks is not like other after-school programs, I see it as the best of all,” Karina says. Then she adds with a grin, “On the very first day Evelyn started at KidWorks, I told her, ‘Get used to it. You are going to be there until you graduate from high school."
Recently, her 10-year-old Jesse gratefully told her, “Mom, you are always around for us.”
“Kids don’t always say it out loud, but it was his way of saying ‘thank you’,” Karina says.
Karina, we also can’t say “thank you” enough for all you do for our students and the community!
By Glenn Leibowtiz, Volunteer Content Writer