About
CREER Educational Programs offers a homework club, tutoring, summer programs, a cultural and performing arts program, and food distribution. At the end of every summer session, the program holds a closing ceremony where all children have the opportunity to share their achievements and art works.
• Ages: 4–18 years old
• Schedule: Six-week sessions, including five six-week afterschool tutoring sessions and one six-week summer session scheduled in 2026
• Price: The cost of the programs per child is $450.00 for six weeks of classes.
CREER Educational Programs was founded in September of 1991 and is described as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit. Its mission is to develop children, youth and families through educational, cultural, arts, sports and civic leadership programs, and to fight food insecurity in their households. CREER decided in 2012 to concentrate efforts and limited resources into education and co-wrote the CREER Community Education Initiative (CCEI), which outlines the Homework Club (K–12th grades), the Afterschool Tutoring Program (Pre-K–12th grades) with five six-week sessions in 2026, and the Summer Program (Pre-K–12th grades) with one six-week session in 2026. For 2026, CREER is seeking to offer the Summer Programs free of charge to all attending children if sufficient funds are raised.
CREER is based in San Juan Capistrano and serves children, youth and families in South Orange County, including San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point, San Clemente, Mission Viejo, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Lake Forest, Rancho Santa Margarita, Ladera Ranch and adjacent cities. CREER works with at risk children and families, and although 95% of the families served live in poverty, all programs are described as universal, inclusive, and never discriminatory to anyone. The number of children, youth and families served by CREER’s combined programs is approximately 10,080 a year. By default, CREER works with a large number of children with learning disabilities who are benefiting from the homework club, tutoring and summer programs. CREER’s Mission, Vision and Values are described as aligned to develop educational, cultural and civic leadership programs to help the most vulnerable families in the community to close the gaps that poverty creates. CREER is described as one of the most effective providers of educational programs, parent education, community and youth leadership, and gang prevention programs for at risk children and families in South Orange County. CREER develops positive programs to guide youth in productive, self-sufficient life paths and aims to give children and youth academic success leading to higher education and an artistic base as alternatives to negative influences. CREER believes that giving children and youth the means to express themselves in a positive way will help to deter future crime, making the community a safer place. Children enrolled in these programs are described as learning vital study skills, workmanship and the joy and pride in learning, giving them a sense of empowerment that will help them achieve their academic goals.
The leadership team includes Mr. Joe Soto (President, The Soto Company – CEO, Mayor, City of SJC – 2004 and 2008), Mr. Ricardo Beas (Vice-President, Ricardo’s Place Restaurant – Owner, Community Leader, Rotary Club Member), Mrs. Adela Greeley-Coronado (Secretary, CREER Founder, Credential Educator – Retired, Former Illinois Teacher of the Year), Mrs. Vera Assanti (Treasurer, Partner / Office Manager / Accountant, Assanti & Associates, P.C), Mrs. Shirley Sauvageau (Member, Credential Educator – Retired, Faculty Volunteer Member – CREER), Mrs. Lourdes Gutierrez (Member, Business Owner / Community Leader), Ms. Aurea Florentino (Member, Dental Assistant / Community Leader), and Mr. Jeff Singer (Member). Staff credentials listed include Mrs. Shirley Sauvageau (Former Teacher; Credential Educator – Retired), Mrs. Adelita Coronado-Greeley (Former Teacher), Mrs. Adela Greeley-Coronado (Credential Educator – Retired, Former Illinois Teacher of the Year), and Ms. Aurea Florentino (Dental Assistant). Mr. Ricardo Beas, Mrs. Lourdes Gutierrez, and Ms. Aurea Florentino are each described as community leaders. At the end of every Summer Session, the closing ceremony is described as offering a unique opportunity for family bonding and community togetherness, while giving children a strong sense of pride and empowerment.
Last updated July 30, 2026.
• Ages: 4–18 years old
• Schedule: Six-week sessions, including five six-week afterschool tutoring sessions and one six-week summer session scheduled in 2026
• Price: The cost of the programs per child is $450.00 for six weeks of classes.
CREER Educational Programs was founded in September of 1991 and is described as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit. Its mission is to develop children, youth and families through educational, cultural, arts, sports and civic leadership programs, and to fight food insecurity in their households. CREER decided in 2012 to concentrate efforts and limited resources into education and co-wrote the CREER Community Education Initiative (CCEI), which outlines the Homework Club (K–12th grades), the Afterschool Tutoring Program (Pre-K–12th grades) with five six-week sessions in 2026, and the Summer Program (Pre-K–12th grades) with one six-week session in 2026. For 2026, CREER is seeking to offer the Summer Programs free of charge to all attending children if sufficient funds are raised.
CREER is based in San Juan Capistrano and serves children, youth and families in South Orange County, including San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point, San Clemente, Mission Viejo, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Lake Forest, Rancho Santa Margarita, Ladera Ranch and adjacent cities. CREER works with at risk children and families, and although 95% of the families served live in poverty, all programs are described as universal, inclusive, and never discriminatory to anyone. The number of children, youth and families served by CREER’s combined programs is approximately 10,080 a year. By default, CREER works with a large number of children with learning disabilities who are benefiting from the homework club, tutoring and summer programs. CREER’s Mission, Vision and Values are described as aligned to develop educational, cultural and civic leadership programs to help the most vulnerable families in the community to close the gaps that poverty creates. CREER is described as one of the most effective providers of educational programs, parent education, community and youth leadership, and gang prevention programs for at risk children and families in South Orange County. CREER develops positive programs to guide youth in productive, self-sufficient life paths and aims to give children and youth academic success leading to higher education and an artistic base as alternatives to negative influences. CREER believes that giving children and youth the means to express themselves in a positive way will help to deter future crime, making the community a safer place. Children enrolled in these programs are described as learning vital study skills, workmanship and the joy and pride in learning, giving them a sense of empowerment that will help them achieve their academic goals.
The leadership team includes Mr. Joe Soto (President, The Soto Company – CEO, Mayor, City of SJC – 2004 and 2008), Mr. Ricardo Beas (Vice-President, Ricardo’s Place Restaurant – Owner, Community Leader, Rotary Club Member), Mrs. Adela Greeley-Coronado (Secretary, CREER Founder, Credential Educator – Retired, Former Illinois Teacher of the Year), Mrs. Vera Assanti (Treasurer, Partner / Office Manager / Accountant, Assanti & Associates, P.C), Mrs. Shirley Sauvageau (Member, Credential Educator – Retired, Faculty Volunteer Member – CREER), Mrs. Lourdes Gutierrez (Member, Business Owner / Community Leader), Ms. Aurea Florentino (Member, Dental Assistant / Community Leader), and Mr. Jeff Singer (Member). Staff credentials listed include Mrs. Shirley Sauvageau (Former Teacher; Credential Educator – Retired), Mrs. Adelita Coronado-Greeley (Former Teacher), Mrs. Adela Greeley-Coronado (Credential Educator – Retired, Former Illinois Teacher of the Year), and Ms. Aurea Florentino (Dental Assistant). Mr. Ricardo Beas, Mrs. Lourdes Gutierrez, and Ms. Aurea Florentino are each described as community leaders. At the end of every Summer Session, the closing ceremony is described as offering a unique opportunity for family bonding and community togetherness, while giving children a strong sense of pride and empowerment.
Last updated July 30, 2026.
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