KidWorks After School Programs
Dan Donahue Center, 1902 W. Chestnut Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92703
About
KidWorks After School Programs serves students in grades K–12 through a hub and spoke model that includes one main center and three spoke centers. The program operates at the Dan Donahue Center (DDC), Cedar Evergreen (KCE), Townsend Center (KCT), and Bishop Manor Center (KBM), with separate time blocks for elementary, middle, and high school students at each site.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Weekday after-school sessions with blocks ranging from 1 hour to 2 hours, depending on grade level and center
KidWorks After School Programs is part of a broader organization whose mission is “Inspiring youth, fueling their growth, and catalyzing their impact in the community and in the world.” KidWorks serves youth and families through a licensed preschool, after-school programs, tutoring, mentoring, college and career readiness, family services, and leadership development. KidWorks operates from a Hub & Spoke Model and currently runs programs from one main center and three spoke centers. The organization reports that 100% of KidWorks students graduated high school on time and have pursued higher education over the last decade, 98% of KidWorks high school students believe they are equipped to solve challenges they face, and 91% of preschool students are assessed as Kinder-ready. It also reports that 72% of KidWorks college students are on track to graduate, 97% of KidWorks youth served in a leadership role in the classroom or the community, over 40% of 2024 high school seniors started with KidWorks in preschool, and 75% of KidWorks youth view themselves as leaders and serve in meaningful leadership roles.
KidWorks was founded in 1993 and began as summer Bible clubs and mentoring groups in under-served neighborhoods of Santa Ana. In 1996, the first community center opened on Townsend Street, and in 1999, the second KidWorks Center opened on Myrtle Street. In 2000, KidWorks launched the Teen Leadership Academy, and in 2002, it was incorporated as its own 501(c)(3) organization called El Puente Community Development Corporation, later renamed KidWorks Community Development Corporation. In 2003, funds raised were used to purchase a building to transform into a community center, and in 2005, KidWorks moved into a newly renovated, 10,000 sq. ft. community center named the KidWorks Dan Donahue Center. In 2006, KidWorks opened its Preschool for children ages four and five, in 2007 it launched the first KidWorks Annual Foundation for Success Luncheon, and in 2009 the KidWorks Center on Townsend opened down the street from the original Townsend apartment, which had served as the Los Puentes Center apartment and the central location for the Homework Club after-school program and adult education programs. In 2015, early intern David Benavides was named CEO, and he now serves as Executive Director. Site supervisors include Jacquelynn Hernandez at the Dan Donahue Center (DDC), Briseida Cruz at Cedar Evergreen (KCE), Haide Gutierrez at Townsend Center (KCT), and Eva Ochoa at Bishop Manor Center (KBM).
Last updated April 3, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Weekday after-school sessions with blocks ranging from 1 hour to 2 hours, depending on grade level and center
KidWorks After School Programs is part of a broader organization whose mission is “Inspiring youth, fueling their growth, and catalyzing their impact in the community and in the world.” KidWorks serves youth and families through a licensed preschool, after-school programs, tutoring, mentoring, college and career readiness, family services, and leadership development. KidWorks operates from a Hub & Spoke Model and currently runs programs from one main center and three spoke centers. The organization reports that 100% of KidWorks students graduated high school on time and have pursued higher education over the last decade, 98% of KidWorks high school students believe they are equipped to solve challenges they face, and 91% of preschool students are assessed as Kinder-ready. It also reports that 72% of KidWorks college students are on track to graduate, 97% of KidWorks youth served in a leadership role in the classroom or the community, over 40% of 2024 high school seniors started with KidWorks in preschool, and 75% of KidWorks youth view themselves as leaders and serve in meaningful leadership roles.
KidWorks was founded in 1993 and began as summer Bible clubs and mentoring groups in under-served neighborhoods of Santa Ana. In 1996, the first community center opened on Townsend Street, and in 1999, the second KidWorks Center opened on Myrtle Street. In 2000, KidWorks launched the Teen Leadership Academy, and in 2002, it was incorporated as its own 501(c)(3) organization called El Puente Community Development Corporation, later renamed KidWorks Community Development Corporation. In 2003, funds raised were used to purchase a building to transform into a community center, and in 2005, KidWorks moved into a newly renovated, 10,000 sq. ft. community center named the KidWorks Dan Donahue Center. In 2006, KidWorks opened its Preschool for children ages four and five, in 2007 it launched the first KidWorks Annual Foundation for Success Luncheon, and in 2009 the KidWorks Center on Townsend opened down the street from the original Townsend apartment, which had served as the Los Puentes Center apartment and the central location for the Homework Club after-school program and adult education programs. In 2015, early intern David Benavides was named CEO, and he now serves as Executive Director. Site supervisors include Jacquelynn Hernandez at the Dan Donahue Center (DDC), Briseida Cruz at Cedar Evergreen (KCE), Haide Gutierrez at Townsend Center (KCT), and Eva Ochoa at Bishop Manor Center (KBM).
Last updated April 3, 2026.
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