Marissa Arredondo
Welcome to my portfolio where I showcase my journey, experiences, and achievements.
Explore My Work
My Journey
I’ve been working with youth since graduating high school in 2006. It all started in my hometown of Kerman, where I served as a Recreation Leader for the city’s Parks and Rec Department, running summer and winter programs that brought the community together. In 2007, I became a tutor with the California Teaching Fellows Foundation, and by 2012, I stepped into a leadership role as Site Lead at Goldenrod Elementary, managing a program that served over 200 students with a team of 11 staff members.
In 2021, I felt called to explore a different kind of service and took on the role of Activities Director at a senior living facility. It was a meaningful season where I learned how to connect with and uplift the elderly through creativity, compassion, and consistency. But my heart for youth never left.
Later that same year, I found my way to Martin Park, a nonprofit serving kids in underserved communities. There, I managed two sites and expanded my skills beyond direct youth work. I engaged with local businesses, built partnerships, wrote grants, and secured donations to bring exciting initiatives to life, from enrichment clubs to field trips and community events. I also learned the power of relationship-building across an entire neighborhood.
Each step of my journey has shaped who I am today, a leader with a heart for people and a passion for impact. I’m now ready to take what I’ve learned and share it on a broader scale. I believe in empowering afterschool professionals because when we support and mentor leaders, we multiply the impact we have on youth. And that’s where real change begins.
My Portfolio
Below are videos showcasing some of my work in the afterschool field. While not all of them are professionally produced, they capture the energy, creativity, and fun environment I aim to create for both staff and students.
Program Promotion
Goldenrod Promotional Video
These videos were more than just a way to promote our programs, they became a powerful tool for connection. They helped introduce our staff to families, created excitement around what we offer, and made our program feel personal and welcoming. What made them truly special was the process behind the scenes. Staff came together to plan and film, which helped strengthen relationships and boost morale. Students were part of the creative process too, offering ideas and helping shape the final product, which gave them a sense of ownership and pride.
This experience highlights the kind of environment I work to create, one where people feel included, seen, and inspired to contribute. That’s the kind of leadership I bring and why I’d be a strong fit for this role. I know how to build meaningful experiences that go beyond programming and help a community grow stronger.
KESA (Kerman Enrichment Summer Adventures)
KESA was designed to help bridge the learning gap for students in Kerman, but when I introduced the program at Martin Park, something incredible happened, our underserved youth not only engaged with the literacy component, they loved it. I had anticipated reading would be a challenge to get students excited about, but the key was choosing the right book: something with a fun storyline, part of a series, and most importantly, something they could take home and keep reading on their own.
Each week, our enrichment and Fun Friday activities were tied to the book we were reading. When students read The Wild Robot, they learned how the robot Roz was built, so we built our own “bristlebots” using toothbrushes, motors, and batteries while learning about circuits and motion. When we read The Chicken Squad, a mystery series about a group of detective chicks, our Fun Friday involved solving an escape box full of clues tied to the story. The prize? Finding “Scaredy Squirrel,” a hidden character from the book played by a tutor in a squirrel costume.
These experiences were more than fun—they were meaningful. Students who once resisted reading began looking forward to each chapter, each twist, and each hands-on activity. KESA became a program that didn’t just improve literacy; it made reading come alive.
This is the kind of creative, student-centered programming I bring to the table. I know how to design learning experiences that are engaging, culturally responsive, and effective. That’s why I believe I’m a strong fit for this role, because I know how to spark learning in places where it’s needed most.
We end each summer with something truly special, a community showcase that brings families, neighbors, and students together to celebrate all the growth and creativity that’s happened. It’s more than just an event, it’s a moment where students get to shine. Our theatre, music, and performing arts groups take the stage, often performing in front of an audience for the very first time, while other enrichment groups set up interactive booths that bring their projects to life.
Guests are invited to get hands-on, whether it’s helping with a mini science experiment, trying out a drumbeat, or crafting something alongside the students. It’s a funl, high-energy way to show the community what our kids have been learning, building, and becoming.
These showcases don’t just highlight the program they deepen relationships, and remind everyone why expanded learning matters.