Kids Corner : Meet The Youth Team by Joan Diamond
Hey Valley Friends and Families. If any of you have children enrolled in The Loft, Zoila’s, Vast, Youth Job Training Program, Holiday Camp or Summer Camp, or your child attends SWAP, Empowerment, or Greenstitch, you’ve had some contact with one or more of our team members. If you’ve ever wondered about who we are and why we love what we do, keep reading: Nicole Jene’e Ramirez, Director of Programs Born in : Los Angeles, CA Favorite Color: Green, Purple and Maroon Favorite Candy as a Kid: Hot Tamales and Starburst Favorite Game: Basketball Favorite Childhood Memory: Going to Sleep Away Camp with my brother, first time without my mom. So Fun!!! My Superpower: MY LOUD VOICE!!!! I’m happiest when: I am swimming underwater. Favorite thing about Zoila’s: Snack time and asking the children what they did over the weekend. Favorite thing about the Loft: Air Hockey and Joan’s Cooking. My message to the kids I work with: Dream Big—Be your authentic self and be kind to yourself and others. Anything else?: Children make me smile and I love the joy they bring to our world. Lori Ramirez, Recreation, Wellness & Youth Programs Manager Born in: San Francisco Favorite Color: Blue Favorite Candy as a Kid: Butterfingers! My mom’s favorite as well. Favorite Game: New York Times Connections, Othello with the kids at the Loft and Memory with Leo at Zoila’s (he’s got a winning streak I just can’t break!) Favorite Childhood Memory: Spending a week each summer at Konocti with my mom, sister, brother, cousins and aunts. It was a truly magical time! My Superpower: I’m the fearless leader of an all-girl super squad—four daughters, each with their own unique powers, personalities and missions. Together we’re unstoppable. I’m happiest when: I’m at the beach with my daughters, searching for shells and crabs, chasing waves or just soaking up the sun. Favorite thing about Zoila’s: Connecting with the kids--Every day is full of energy, imagination and sweet conversations that give me a window into who they are. Favorite thing about the Loft: Spending time with the kids and being a support- ive presence for them. My message to the kids I work with: Each of you is special and has something amazing inside of you. Whatever it is, the world needs your light. Keep trying, keep learning and never be afraid to make mistakes—that’s how we grow! Favorite Candy as a Kid: Butterfinger Favorite Game: Dungeons and Dragons Favorite Childhood Memory: Hanging out with my brother and cousins in Berkeley. My Superpower: Movie Trivia I’m happiest when: I’m hanging out with close friends and family. Favorite thing about Zoila’s and The Loft: Playing games with the kids My message to the kids I work with: Always treat others the way you’d like to be treated. Zoila Berardi, Family Advocate Born in: San Francisco Favorite Color: Turquoise Favorite Candy as a Kid: U-NO Bar Favorite Game: House Favorite Childhood Memory: Going to a dairy farm in Oregon with my cousins. Dad telling stories. My Superpower: Patience I’m happiest when: I’m with the little people or family. Favorite thing about Zoila’s: Logan, Leo and Ava. Favorite thing about the Loft: Having My 70 th birthday party there. My message to the kids I work with: Be kind and laugh! Anything else?: I’m old and I have great wrinkles Maile Marino, Family Advocate Born In: San Francisco Favorite Color: Periwinkle, green, red Favorite Candy as a Kid: Reeses Favorite Game: Sudoku Favorite Childhood Memory: Making my mom go on the Gravitron with me. My Superpower: Patience and Empathy. I’m happiest when: I’m with my family, friends and pets. Favorite thing about Zoila’s and The Loft: The kids! My message to the kids I work with: Remember to always be kind to others. Eric Humphrey, Family Advocate Born in: San Leandro Favorite Color: Black
Jasmin Vasquez, Family Advocate Born In: Marin General Hospital Favorite Color: Black, white, pink and purple. Favorite Candy as a Kid: Reeses Favorite Game: Fortnite Favorite Childhood Memory: Playing outside with my friends.
My Superpower: Connecting with kids. I’m happiest when: I’m with my friends. Favorite thing about Zoila’s and The Loft: Being able to hang with all the cool kids. My message to the kids I work with: Love One Another.
Joan Diamond, Family Advocate Born in: Brooklyn, NY Favorite Color: Blues and greens
Favorite Candy as a kid: Bazooka Bubble Gum, Atomic Fireballs, Black Licorice, Charms Lollipops—Too many, that’s why I don’t eat sugar—I like ittoo much! Favorite Game: Hot Seat Favorite Childhood Memory: Summers at Camp Lokanda! My Superpower: I feel deeply. I’m happiest when: I’m speaking my truth or hearing another person’s truth— being real! I’m dancing freestyle. Favorite thing about Zoila’s: Watching how kids find joy and wonder in the simplest of things, like going down a slide, getting covered in sand, making up a word…it’s contagious. I also love how they respond to life with their whole beings…no holding back. Favorite thing about the Loft: Watching kids cook something on the griddle, laughing with the kids about a funny and original Meme of The Week entry, just hanging out and getting to know a kid. My message to the kids I work with: Whether you know it or not, you’re each amazing people with precious gifts to share. Be here now—the present moment is where the good stuff happens.
Taylor Marino, Family Advocate. Born in: Greenbrae, CA Favorite Color: Red Favorite Candy as a kid: Twix Favorite Game: Uno
Favorite Childhood Memory: My dad worked at a farm and we were on a hill get- ting the cows in for their dinner and my dad saw them running down the hill and he told me to go behind a wall and I looked up and saw cows jumping over me. My Superpower: Animal Whisperer I’m happiest when: I’m at the beach. Favorite thing about Zoila’s: Seeing all the kids playing together. My message to the kids I work with: Be true to yourself and follow your dreams.
Cory VanGelder, Wellness Coordinator Born in: San Francisco Favorite Color: Spring green Favorite Candy as a kid: Butterfinger Favorite Game: Kick the Can
Favorite Childhood Memory: When my older siblings played these elaborate make-believe games in the backyard with the neighbors, and they gave me, the youngest, a part, and I felt so included. Sometimes I could be the hot dog man or the robber. My Superpower: Loving and connecting with young people I’m happiest when: I’m in nature, in the ocean, riding my bike, hiking… Favorite thing about Empowerment: Students get to be themselves and talk about what’s on their minds and support each other and discover other people share their same feelings and concerns. Favorite thing about SWAP: Students make a commitment to take time during their school day to focus on wellness. Students just put on a fabulous wellness week and worked really hard to bring activities that would uplift and bring well- ness to their peers. Favorite thing about Greenstitch: Students, starting in Middle School, have a place to connect with other young people who care about the future of the planet and want to do something that really makes a difference. Having fun together put- ting on events and making murals. My message to the kids I work with: You are awesome, way more cool than you realize.
SGV Community Center Stone Soup Page 5
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