IN THIS ISSUE
From Our CEO | The Season of Growth | Jill Jacobson
Spotlight on Staff | Celebrating Expanded Learning Stars
Highlight on Afterschool / Expanded Learning Programs | Herstory, Makers, and Bakers
Highlight on ACE | Expanding Our Reach, Targeting Our Support
Highlight on Specialized Student Support Services| We're So Proud of Our Students
Thanks to Our Donors
Making Summer Happen | Fun and Learning Go Hand in Hand
From Our CEO:
The Season of Growth
Jill Jacobson
Spring is the time of year when we begin to see that the seedlings we have so carefully planted and steadfastly nurtured are becoming strong, healthy plants. And we are happy to report that EduCare's "new plants" are taking off beautifully!
Our goal at the start of the year was to have a strong focus on continuous improvement, automation, and process enhancements, and we can share that the organizational changes we made in 2025 have been working well.
The result: Our efficiency throughout the organization has increased, resulting in enhanced program development, stronger teamwork, and greater outreach to our students and communities. Our staff – at all levels of the organization – has been inspired, excited, and engaged as they envision new programs, outreach opportunities, and expansion. From reimagining existing programs and business models to strengthening relationships with our outstanding partners, vendors, and clients, we are continuing to build EduCare into the most vibrant expression of Heartset® Education possible.
Dr. Marco Durazo, previously EduCare's Board of Directors Vice Chair, is our new Board Chair. You learned about Marco in our last newsletter; his focus on supporting EduCare's expansion while retaining its "magic", as well as on ensuring that our Board is the most effective guiding body it can be, make him an invaluable part of our growth as we head towards our future vision of 1,000,000 Bright Lights by 2030.
We are highlighting two of our Afterschool/Expanded Learning staff members in this issue of the newsletter – Belen Hernandez (Linda Marquez High School) and Steve Laguna (Dr. Maya Angelou Community Schools). I think you'll enjoy learning more about two of the dozens of passionate, dedicated EduCare staff members who bring Heartset® Education to our students.
As we move all too quickly towards the end of the school year, I wish every member of our extended EduCare family – students, schools, staff, community partners, and supporters – an amazing summer. Thank you for standing with us as we continue to support and encourage our young people!
Spotlight on Staff:
Celebrating Afterschool / Expanded Learning Stars
Steve Laguna & Belen Hernandez
In this issue, we are highlighting two of our dedicated Afterschool / Expanded Learning site coordinators. We know you’ll enjoy getting to know them!
Steve Laguna, Afterschool / Expanded Learning Program Site Coordinator at Dr. Maya Angelou Community Schools, has a guiding principle: “We should make every moment count.”
As a family man and father of three, as well as in his work, it's a priority for Steve to invest in other people's lives. At school, this ensures that the students he serves feel safe and cared for. “We are responsible for this chapter in the students’ lives. We are responsible for the social-emotional development of our students. It is rewarding but also difficult.”
Steve began his relationship with EduCare as a student, and returned to EduCare after graduating with a degree in Clinical Psychology from California State University, Northridge. He brings his student experience, educational background, and knowledge to his work to provide quality programs to the students of South L.A. Steve strongly believes in EduCare’s mission, and supports it by teaching students to be curious, to take risks, and to understand that they are worthy of receiving a quality education – including Expanded Learning Program services. He actively encourages students to take chances on themselves.
Under Steve's guidance, the Forever United Newcomers (F.U.N.) Club afterschool program has been recognized by LAUSD’s Commission on Human Relations, Diversity & Equity department. In collaboration with Beatriz Nunez, Title IV Newcomer Counselor at Maya Angelou, the Commission supports new students requesting additional academic and emotional support. These students are now scoring "proficient" on standardized tests. Many have transitioned into Advanced Placement classes and are entering four-year universities after graduation. While continuing to participate in a wide offering of afterschool programs, students have taken the initiative to coordinate special events, like Poetry Nights. F.U.N. students will be receiving the Support Network – Club for Change Award.
Steve Laguna believes that even though time constraints can make it challenging to offer quality programming, he works every day to make great programs possible for his students. He is giving back to the communities he serves – and making every moment count!
Belen Hernandez, Afterschool / Expanded Learning Site Coordinator at Linda Marquez High School, believes that she is fortunate to work for an organization that allows her to give back to the community where she grew up.
She has served in many roles at several school sites for EduCare's Expanded Learning Program over the years – including dance coach, middle school Site Coordinator, and now lead high school Site Coordinator. At every site, she has seen the urgent need to provide targeted support for under-represented students. As a first-generation student herself, and lifelong resident of Lynwood, California, she can readily see things from her students’ points of view.
Belen's compassionate approach to her work and profession is something that she has in common with her colleagues. “As site coordinators, we keep the heart in the work that we do. It is something that we all share as a core value, because we want to do right by the students. It's a real possibility that we might be the only ones that truly see a student needing encouragement or guidance on a given day.”
She fully embraces Heartset® Education,
EduCare's essential approach to working with students. It's important to her that EduCare has stayed true to its origins and founding values, and that its primary purpose continues to be making a positive difference in young people's lives.
Belen is pleasantly surprised by her students on a daily basis. She is in awe as to how much a student can change because of their participation in Afterschool / Expanded Learning Programs, and that they are so willing to express their gratitude for EduCare's programs, services, and staff. She plans to continue to advocate for and support students, and would like to be in a position to share her knowledge with other site coordinators.
What would Belen say to new site coordinators? “If you can make a change in one person’s life it will make all the difference.”
Highlight on Afterschool / Expanded Learning Programs:
Herstory, Makers, and Bakers
EduCare's Expanded Learning / Afterschool Programs are always in full swing, ready to make school even more engaging for our students. From science experiments to art projects, our students are given ample opportunities to enhance creativity, learning, and critical thinking.
Here's a small sampling of the variety of student-led, inventive afterschool activities that have been happening in the EduCare family of schools.
Downtown Magnets High School | Women's Herstory Month, Book Fair, and Panel | Ricardo Monterubio
This event showcased the importance of Women's Herstory Month, and the myriad of individuals who have fought for women's civil rights through literature, movements and leadership. The panel included representation from both the student body and school administration, the latter sharing their experiences as woman leaders in education. The lively discussion provided a safe space for dialogue, and included a Q&A segment.
César Chavez Learning Academies | Maker Space & Baking Club | Yolanda Montero
The Maker Space & Baking Club is keeping students engaged with fun, hands-on activities – everything from making S’mores cupcakes to creating LEGO animals. Students love it, and it continually sparks creativity and teamwork. EduCare Site Coordinator Yolanda Montero and Instructor Delilah Contreras maintain this thriving program, which has created a positive, engaging space for all participating students.
Highlight on ACE:
Expanding Our Reach, Targeting Our Support
EduCare's nationally recognized program, ACE (Achievement and Commitment to Excellence), includes the ACE Program, ACE Initiative, and ACE Heartbeats. Based on EduCare's decades of expertise in Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), ACE provides a foundation for safe, positive learning and growth, as well as comprehensive student success and character building.
ACE Programs
We are very happy to welcome two new school partners to our network: Ànimo Ellen Ochoa Middle School and Jefferson High School. It's always a privilege to bring ACE to new schools, and to grow the number of students and educators participating in this transformative program.
Ellen Ochoa Middle School, located in East Los Angeles, is attended by 312 students. The teachers care deeply about their students. Some notes on the recent ACE Workshop from facilitators: "The Program has been amazing so far! The kids are really great! One student who was nervous about attending showed up and had a great time; another who sought attention by giving inappropriate responses, and who was called out on it, ended up being a terrific participant. Everything ran really smoothly!"
Jefferson High School, in the heart of South Los Angeles, is attended by 555 students, with highly supportive teachers and staff. We encountered some unique challenges with Jefferson, since it was the first time the campus had incorporated Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) techniques with their students. However, the school was both encouraging and helpful, and we were able to tailor the workshop to fit this specific student body's needs.
ACE Professional Development
We have launched three exciting new workshops this year:
A Classroom Management workshop for afterschool / expanded learning programs personnel
Creating Positive Relationships Through Healthy Communication focuses on strengthening connections in school communities
An engagement workshop session designed for EduCare donors, to provide a direct experience of Heartset skills
We are also developing a series of new half-day workshops to be added to our growing workshop menu, offering more flexible options for the schools and partners we serve.
Stay tuned for more information, and we invite you to reach out if you would like information on our workshops!
Highlight on Specialized Student Support Services:
We’re So Proud of Our Students!
Our case management program is delighted to recognize several students who have shown steady improvement in their GPA. They have demonstrated their commitment to hard work, maintaining a positive attitude, and strengthening their academic success. Congratulations!
And we are proud of our North Hollywood students, who placed 5th in the National CyberPatriot Finals. We applaud them for making it to the Nationals, and congratulate them all on a job well done!
Thanks to Our Donors
To our generous donors, thank you for making this quarter’s progress possible. Your gifts power our impactful programs, expand our services, and deepen our impact in the community. Because of you, more young people gain access to the support they need and thrive. Together we are moving our mission forward!
We are deeply grateful for all our donors, and are acknowledging those individuals who have given so generously:
American Online Giving
Victoria Bloch
Ana Brightleaf
Merlene Bukovich
Michael Conner
Malick Diop
Dr. Marco Durazo
Barbara Evans
Dr. Brian Evans
Michael & Lynn Farwell
Katherine & Martin Hall
Jill Jacobson
Denise Jauregi
John Lee
Joseph Millar
John Morgan, Jr.
Megha Poliki
Katherine Price
Michael & Dona Rawson
Randey Riedel
Dr. Kamin Samuel & Mark Samuel
Linda Searle
Stu & Candace Semigran
Sergio Sicairos
Dr. Valerie Simons
Frank Vitale
Making Summer Happen:
Fun and Learning Go Hand in Hand
You can join us in making summer special for all EduCare students. Your support sends a powerful message: Every student deserves a bridge to a brighter future, and every donor – like you – makes that bridge stronger!
Scan the QR code to make your gift of transformative Summer Programs to the young people EduCare serves, or click the button above.
During the summer, EduCare provides opportunities for young people to enjoy summer to the fullest, with time to expand their horizons, master new skills, build friendships and have fun. Our summer programs are activity-based, engaging, and allow students to develop important social skills, all in the spirit of summer fun.
Summer activities also help bridge the critical gap for students making the transition from elementary to middle or from middle to high school. When they’re making that leap, they can feel like they’re stepping into a whole new world with brand-new routines, challenges, and goals. Meeting that transitional moment successfully can shape not just a student’s future educational trajectory, but their prospects for achieving their dreams.
EduCare offers Summer Programs designed to engage imaginations, explore new skills, and make new friends – all while enjoying real summer fun!
Here’s what EduCare Summer Programs offer students:
Small-group tutoring in core subjects, boosting readiness and confidence
Creative activities exploring and developing new skills
College-readiness workshops on coursework planning, scholarships, and admission timelines
Social-emotional learning, building resilience, leadership, and a growth mindset
And here’s just some of the impact of our Summer Programs:
Last summer, 4,987 students participated across our partner schools
95% of middle school students reported feeling more prepared to start high school
84% of all students expressed greater confidence in planning their college pathway
100% of participants in the Chatsworth High School summer ACE program reported positive impacts on their confidence, self-esteem, relationships, and school/work habits.