OUR SAVIOUR CENTER SPOTLIGHT: Dorris Dann Kids Campus Celebrates 20 Years of Empowering El Monte Youth

On September 12th, we at the Dorris Dann Kids Campus celebrated our 20th anniversary. Our celebration event was well attended, with more than 150 people participating. Marking this milestone has reaffirmed the understanding that meaningful change is achievable through collective community effort.

We were honored to have LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis, Assemblymember Michael Fong, and a representative from State Senator Susan Rubio's office, who underscored our campus's vital role in the region. Dr. Maribel Garcia, Superintendent of the El Monte City School District spoke about our 20-year partnership, noting how our campus became the leading site for first-responder learning pods (small, in-person groups of students who learn together, directed by an in-person tutor or teacher) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reflecting on our origins, former Executive Director Rex Botengan, Jr., expressed gratitude to numerous private donors, including the Annenberg Foundation, the Dwight Stewart Foundation, the Eisner Foundation, and the Whitecap Foundation, for making this 18,000-square-foot Kids Campus possible. The Rev. Jeff Thornberg also emphasized that guiding our youth through challenging times is indeed a divine calling. Our Program Director, Marguerite Ponce, echoed this sentiment, reflecting on her twenty years of administration, which she considers not merely a career but a lifelong vocation dedicated to uplifting our community.

Perhaps the most moving moment came from longtime parent Mrs. Aguilar. Embodying our “circle of life” philosophy, she proudly shared how her four children grew from after-school participants into dedicated volunteers and, eventually, proud campus employees.

Today, through our Expanded Learning After-School Program, Dorris Dann Leadership Academy, Soccer for Success, and Best Buy Teen Tech Center, we continue to equip tomorrow's leaders. Thank you for walking with so many families along their paths. With deep gratitude, we eagerly look forward to transforming lives for the next twenty years.

For more information on our programs and how you can access them, please visit our website at our-center.org or email us at info@our-center.org. If you wish to make a donation to our programs, at our-center.org/donate there is a link to a secure Paypal page where you will be able to give directly. We are so grateful for your support.