KidWorks After School Programs
KidWorks HQ / Dan Donahue Center, 1902 W Chestnut Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92703
About
KidWorks After School Programs offers after-school programming for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The program operates using a hub and spoke model with one main center and three spoke centers. Program enrollment is open for students in grades K–12.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: After-school options on weekdays with separate time blocks for kindergarten–2nd grade, 3rd–5th grade, and 6th–12th grade
KidWorks After School Programs is part of KidWorks, which serves youth and families through a licensed preschool, after-school programs, tutoring, mentoring, college and career readiness, family services, and leadership development. KidWorks makes an 18-year commitment to each student, from pre-K through a bachelor’s degree. The Teen Leadership Academy recruits neighborhood teenagers to participate year-round, organize and implement children’s day camps, and tutor younger children. KidWorks targets the lowest income families in the service area for its preschool for children ages four and five.
KidWorks was founded in 1993 by Larry Acosta, a youth pastor, and his wife, Jayme, a school teacher. In 1996, the first community center opened on Townsend Street, and in 1999, the second KidWorks Center opened on Myrtle Street. In 2000, the Teen Leadership Academy was launched. In 2002, KidWorks was incorporated as its own 501(c)(3) organization called El Puente Community Development Corporation, later renamed KidWorks Community Development Corporation. In 2003, funds were raised to purchase a building to transform into a community center, and in 2005 KidWorks moved into a newly renovated, 10,000 square foot community center named the KidWorks Dan Donahue Center. In 2006, KidWorks Preschool opened, in 2007 the first KidWorks Annual Foundation for Success Luncheon was launched, and in 2009 a new home for the KidWorks Center on Townsend Street opened. In 2015, early intern David Benavides was named CEO.
The Executive Director of KidWorks is David Benavides. 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). The KidWorks mission is “Inspiring youth, fueling their growth, and catalyzing their impact in the community and in the world.” KidWorks operates in several neighborhoods of central Santa Ana and serves as a gathering space for community partners to collaborate on neighborhood change. Partners such as the Teahouse Gang have provided holiday food baskets and turkeys to families at KidWorks, and Orange Housing and C&C Development provided an in-kind donation for the KidWorks Center on Townsend.
Last updated April 3, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: After-school options on weekdays with separate time blocks for kindergarten–2nd grade, 3rd–5th grade, and 6th–12th grade
KidWorks After School Programs is part of KidWorks, which serves youth and families through a licensed preschool, after-school programs, tutoring, mentoring, college and career readiness, family services, and leadership development. KidWorks makes an 18-year commitment to each student, from pre-K through a bachelor’s degree. The Teen Leadership Academy recruits neighborhood teenagers to participate year-round, organize and implement children’s day camps, and tutor younger children. KidWorks targets the lowest income families in the service area for its preschool for children ages four and five.
KidWorks was founded in 1993 by Larry Acosta, a youth pastor, and his wife, Jayme, a school teacher. In 1996, the first community center opened on Townsend Street, and in 1999, the second KidWorks Center opened on Myrtle Street. In 2000, the Teen Leadership Academy was launched. In 2002, KidWorks was incorporated as its own 501(c)(3) organization called El Puente Community Development Corporation, later renamed KidWorks Community Development Corporation. In 2003, funds were raised to purchase a building to transform into a community center, and in 2005 KidWorks moved into a newly renovated, 10,000 square foot community center named the KidWorks Dan Donahue Center. In 2006, KidWorks Preschool opened, in 2007 the first KidWorks Annual Foundation for Success Luncheon was launched, and in 2009 a new home for the KidWorks Center on Townsend Street opened. In 2015, early intern David Benavides was named CEO.
The Executive Director of KidWorks is David Benavides. 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). The KidWorks mission is “Inspiring youth, fueling their growth, and catalyzing their impact in the community and in the world.” KidWorks operates in several neighborhoods of central Santa Ana and serves as a gathering space for community partners to collaborate on neighborhood change. Partners such as the Teahouse Gang have provided holiday food baskets and turkeys to families at KidWorks, and Orange Housing and C&C Development provided an in-kind donation for the KidWorks Center on Townsend.
Last updated April 3, 2026.
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