Editor’s Note: Kids from the Salvation Army Children’s Ministries visited Acción Latina to learn about El Tecolote and about the importance of writing their own stories. Elizabeth Veras Holland, columnist for El Tecolote and Children’s Ministries Assistant coordinated the visit.
“The SF Mission Kids Program is designed to help low-income families and their school aged children. We strive to empower community, education, and structure; while still having fun! We support our community by providing a low cost for all families and offering scholarships. We apply educational activities to our summer program so that our kids may continue to learn, while they are on summer break. We want our children to enjoy themselves as much as possible, since many families do not have the resources to provide extracurricular activities for their children. In the past few months, we have taken the kids on various trips around the city. These trips have included local parks, Lands End, the Exploratorium, and the movie theater. The Salvation Army SF Mission Corps not only offers a summer day camp, but also an afterschool program. Our Mission Corps is run by Lt. Judah and Megan Young and I am the director of our Children’s Programs. I was born and raised in San Francisco. When I was younger, the Salvation Army helped my family a lot. I am here to support my community and to give back in the same way.”
—Mina Alexandra Santiago, Children’s Program director
We are the kids of the Salvation Army Mission Corps and we want to share our dreams and passions with the community! We hope you like our stories and art!
“The Warriors are my favorite team. My favorite player is Kevin Durant! When I grow up I want to be a scientist, singer, basketball player and an actor! I like to make my friends laugh by telling silly jokes!”
Giancarlo, 8, San Francisco
“I want to be a football player. I know I will have to practice very hard. I like to dance when I make a touchdown! My favorite team is the Niners.”
Brianna, 6, San Francisco
“I want to be a scientist and an artist because you can use your imagination and be creative! I like really, really want to do science! I like doing projects about volcanoes and how they erupt!”
Gabby, 6, Daly City
“I want to be a police officer because I want to help people and make a better world. I like to draw pictures of me and my family and butterflies.”
JJ, 4, San Francisco
“I want to build a house! My cousin Pete in Fairfield builds houses. And I want to be a fireman, I want to put out fires with water and drive a big red truck!”
“I want to be a gymnast because I always do it at my house, and I like it. I haven’t taken classes yet but I do cartwheels everywhere! When I was five, my sister showed me how to do them. I like ballet and pictures of ballerinas too!”
Alyson, 9, San Francisco, born in New York
“I want to be a scientific illustrator and artist. My dad inspired me because when he was my age, he loved to draw. I really like drawing comics especially Star Wars themed comics! I really like science too and I’m good at it!”
“I love soccer and my favorite team is Mexico. I even have their shirt! I hope I can play soccer one day.”
Alain, 7, San Francisco
“I like to play baseball especially catcher and second base. My favorite team are the Giants! I want to play baseball when I’m older but I also like science! I want to create new and different numbers.”
“I want to be a basketball player. My favorite team are the Warriors. I like all of the players! I really like drawing, I draw pictures for my mom and grandma. I also love dancing and singing and being silly!”
Marianah, 8, San Francisco
“I want to be a chef or maybe a doctor for animals. I have two dogs named Doggie and Chocolate. I love drawing pictures too! I like drawing pictures of my cousins JJ and Gabby. They are my best friends.”
“We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that they are somebody today.” –Stacia Tauscher.
This is a quote that Tanya Nayak, new assistant for the Children’s Programs likes to keep in mind in her daily work with children.