Dawn S. Reese Chief Executive Officer
Innovation – Mindset, Culture, and Strategy
In an ever-changing world and community, one of the ways to remain agile is to lead through the lens of innovation. Innovation is not just a process; it includes a mindset, culture, and strategy to ensure our team at The Wooden Floor can respond to the changing needs of those we serve.
Having an innovation mindset ensures we create a culture of internal curiosity, encourage respect and understanding, and hone in on critical thinking practices to look for ways to improve the lives of young people and their families. We have launched a new series in our newsletter titled Innovation Insights (see page 5), to help our supporters and community stakeholders see into this mindset which guides our evolving, creative youth development mission.
Empathy has been established as one of our core guiding principles, which helps to create a space for high trust, candid conversations, and positive risk taking, leading to innovative solutions and high performance. There is a multitude of benefits to building empathy as part of the innovation mindset, including creating a purpose-driven culture, increasing employee engagement, and improving employee retention, as evidenced by recognition of The Wooden Floor as an Orange County Business Journal Best Places to Work for 2024, 2023, and 2018. The Board and staff continually look for ways to drive social innovation for the students and families by finding ways to create opportunities to pilot new ideas, learn from new initiatives and ideas, and by evaluate which ones have merit to move forward.
For example, this spring we piloted Dance Uplifts within the Garden Grove Unified School District, a new afterschool program based at school sites to help children overcome the mental health challenges created by remote learning and pandemic isolation to build confidence through creative expression and the values of The Wooden Floor. Our goals for this program were developed during our strategic visioning process in 2018 with feedback from key supporters, foundation partners, and external stakeholders on ways to increase our impact. After piloting, learning, and evaluating, this new initiative was deemed a resounding success and will be expanded within Garden Grove School Unified School District this fall. We will also begin to look for ways to bring this program to more school districts in North Orange County soon.
We know that when dance is used as a means of social change, innovation flourishes into courageous life-changing outcomes for the children we serve, and moves The Wooden Floor’s exciting mission forward, which helps move our community forward.
We are grateful to you, our supporters, who sustain this innovation every step of the way.
With gratitude,
Dawn S. Reese
Mission Moment
The Wooden Floor partnered with PIMCO, an investment banking company in Newport Beach, for an office tour, an executive panel, and a networking activity with PIMCO employees. PIMCO executives Richard LeBrun, Managing Director, Head of Alternatives Business Management and The Wooden Floor Board Member; Michael Chandra, Managing Director, Head of U.S. Public Client Management; Michael Terry, Executive Vice President, Account Management, Financial Institutions Group; and Katy Stauffer, Vice President, Trader, Portfolio Management, High Yield Credit shared their personal career start stories and gave insight into the importance of relationship building in a professional setting. PIMCO employees generously donated their time to simulate an actual networking event and played “networking bingo” with students. Our students learned how to ask questions, how to keep people engaged in conversation, and how to be authentic when meeting someone for the first time. We thank our Lead Class Partner, PIMCO, for taking the time to connect with our students and sharing their valuable perspectives about life and career.
Newsfeed
S.T.E.A.M. AND SUMMER READING WORKSHOPS
JUNE 2024
For five weeks this summer, third through eighth grade students participated in fun activities that meet Common Core State Standards for reading as well as Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics (S.T.E.A.M.). The S.T.E.A.M. workshop guided students through inquiry, discussion, and problem-solving skills through hands-on learning projects. Students also took part in The Wooden Floor's Reading Program to strengthen reading and comprehension skills in preparation for the upcoming school year. The Reading Program encourages creativity, reading, writing, and language comprehension skills that will help them excel during the year, as well as emphasizing the idea that reading is fun!
EMPOWERMENT SOCIAL & EMOTIONAL WORKSHOP
JULY 2024
We partnered with students and faculty in the Department of Marriage & Family Therapy in the Crean College of Health & Behavioral Sciences at Chapman University for our summer Empowerment Workshops. This series of workshops prepares students for the social-emotional transitions from elementary to middle school, and then again from middle school to high school, so they feel prepared and empowered to succeed in the next chapter of their life and beyond.
CAREER EXPLORATION AT THE WAVEHOUSE
JULY 2024
Founder and CEO of Pardon Inc., Nicholas Pardon, shared his Wavehouse office with our students for a collage workshop. Students learned about his business ventures and best practice approaches to successful entrepreneurship. The collage workshop allowed our students to tap into their own creativity and apply what they had learned from Nicholas and his team. We thank Nicholas for his support of our mission.
Evolving To Transform Lives
The Wooden Floor’s mission is to inspire and transform the lives of young people through the power of dance and access to higher education. Over the past 41 years, The Wooden Floor has evolved to become a creative youth development organization that equips students with the resources and skills needed to reach their fullest potential both in school and in life.
The Wooden Floor makes a deep, long-term commitment for up to 10 years in each child’s journey from elementary school to college. Our holistic model serves students year-round, after school, with dance education, academics, college and career readiness, and family support programs, free of charge, made possible by our strategically implemented Theory of Change Model ©
Theory of Change Model ©
Dance education and performance are core transformational elements through which our young people change the way they think about themselves through a rigorous program that evolves into selfconfidence, leadership, cooperative learning, creative problem solving, and joy.
Our Academic and College and Career Readiness programs ensure that our students have fundamental academic and life skills to access and succeed in higher education.
Theory of Change Model
Our Family Services program takes a case management approach to counseling, crisis intervention, workshops, and social service referrals to help families overcome socioeconomic hardships and navigate a path toward economic progress and self-sufficiency.
A safe and healthy environment
Theory of Change Model
Family Services
Academics
A safe and healthy environment
Focus on the wellbeing of the student in the family context Unrealized
Focus on the wellbeing of the student in the family context
Close and positive long-term relationships
Academics Family Services
Dance
Dance
Exposure to new experiences and opportunities High expectations and rigor
Close and positive long-term relationships Exposure to new experiences and opportunities
www.TheWoodenFloor.org ©2014-2024 The Wooden Floor
The Wooden Floor’s 6 C’s
www.TheWoodenFloor.org
Through our innovative dance education curriculum and strategically integrated services, our students develop the life skills and 21st century workforce developmental skills that align with the 5 C’s outlined by the OC Department of Education: Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, Character and The Wooden Floor’s added 6th C: Courage. The Wooden Floor students are fully immersed in the 6 C’s, as they are implemented throughout all services, programs, and culture of The Wooden Floor.
©2014-2024 The Wooden Floor
Our commitment to innovation is what moves our mission forward, ensuring that 100% of our students graduate high school and immediately enroll in higher education. Looking to the future, innovation will remain at the center of our success.
In the First Person:
Kimberly Escalante
Alumna, Class of 2023
"I sometimes wonder how my life would be, had I not joined The Wooden Floor. Being a dancer at The Wooden Floor has shaped my personality and character, making it a part of my identity. Dancing has taught me many valuable lessons, one being risk taking. Dance exercises at The Wooden Floor involve improvisation; not knowing what I’ll do next but taking the chance that my body and mind will create unique movement.
Similarly, in interviews, class presentations, internships, and events, I take risks and improvise. This has exposed me to opportunities to better myself and practice uncomfortable situations, like public speaking. I fully believe that, had it not been for The Wooden Floor, I would not have gone to college. The Wooden Floor college readiness advisors made sure to emphasize how important it was to achieve higher education. All the workshops hosted by The Wooden Floor pushed me to try harder in class and in my extracurricular activities throughout middle school and high school.
Although I have completed my ten years with The Wooden Floor, I continue to meet with staff and advisors for guidance. When I’m feeling stressed out about a class or feeling excited about an academic opportunity, I am quick to speak with confidants at the organization. The support The Wooden Floor has shown me these past ten years has remained steadfast during my time in college. I wish everyone knew the impact that The Wooden Floor has on students like me."
Kimberly Escalante, Class of 2023
Alumna of The Wooden Floor
Kimberly currently attends San Diego State University and is a part of the Latino Resource Center (LRC), where faculty help first-generation college students navigate higher education. Under the guidance of the LRC, Kimberly joined intramural sports. This summer, she started a summer internship as a Research Intern for Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA). At OCHCA, she aids the research department in processing and visualizing data. Kimberly is the youngest intern in the office, as OCHCA exclusively hires graduate students and is grateful for the opportunity to learn alongside healthcare professionals. Kimberly plans to graduate with a Biology degree and work toward a master's degree or attend medical school.
THURSDAY, September 19, 2024 at 6:00pm
Big Canyon Country Club
▫ A fun, strolling wine tasting competition
▫ Signature small plates
▫ Sharing of student success stories
▫ Silent auctions and opportunity drawings
▫ Giving opportunities
TASTING BENEFIT
Thank you
to our 18th Annual Keep the Promise™ Wine Tasting Benefit SPONSORS
PREMIER
The Beall Family Foundation
Janice & John Markley
PLATINUM
Theresa & Jonathon Allen
GOLD
Frome Family Foundation
Adele & Bryan Green
Rick LeBrun
Nicholas Pardon
Judith Posnikoff
Nancy and Geoffrey Stack
SILVER
Capital Group Companies
Farmers & Merchants Bank
Adele & Bryan Green
Teri & Alan Hoops
Hydraflow - The Ayloush Family
Jehan Jayakumar - Carlson & Jayakumar LLP
Yvonne & Damien Jordan
Karin Krogius & Scott Mason
Carole & Rich Lee
Ginger & Arthur Ong
Providence Health Plan
Peter G. Welsh - Gantry, Inc.
BRONZE
Michele & Joseph Chatelle
Monica & Jim Meacham
Trish O'Donnell
Shelly Sandoval & Jon Lash
Ronald M. Simon Family Foundation
Robyn & Dave Stauffer
US Bank Private Wealth Management
COPPER
Denise & Keith Banning
Jeff & Kristen Bush
City National Bank
John & Denise Duncan
Nancy & Stephen Eng
Salma Bushala-Hamud & Harold Hamud
MVS Foundation
Julie & Justin Wilson
2024-2025 Board of Directors
Jehan Jayakumar,* Board Chair
Founding Partner, Carlson & Jayakumar, LLP
Theresa Allen,* Immediate Past Chair
Managing Director, RBC Wealth Management
Joseph Chatelle,* Vice Chair Principal, Mercer
Richard Lee,* Secretary
Market President, Retired, Aetna, Southern California
Yvonne O’Neill,* Treasurer
Certified Public Accountant, O’Neill Financial Management
Milton J. Acosta, Corporate Finance Manager, Ingram Micro
Wendy Arciero
Executive Director, Anaheim Ducks Foundation
Sasha Ayloush,* Director of Sales & Marketing, Hydraflow
Seán Curran, Chair, Department of Dance, NYU Tisch School of the Arts
Michelle Dean,* Community Leader
Jen Dibble, VP, Corporate Counsel, Edwards Lifesciences
Christina Di Rocco, Business Solution Design Manager, Capital Group Companies, Inc.
Brent Funston, Chief Executive Officer, Wind River Group, LLC
Cristina Garcia, Alumni Representative Community Leader
Naveen Jonathan, PhD, LMFT, Community Representative Clinical Associate Professor of Marriage & Family Therapy, Chair, Marriage & Family Therapy, Crean College of Health & Behavioral Sciences, Chapman University
Jeremy Krout, President/CEO, Environmental Planning Development Solutions, Inc.
Richard LeBrun, Managing Director and Head of Alternatives Business Management, PIMCO Investments, LLC
Sarah Lopez, MD, MBA, Chief Medical Officer Zocalo Health
Catherine M. MacIver, Community Leader
Maria Ochoa, Parent Representative, Community Leader
Juan M. Pacheco, Parent Representative, Community Leader
Alix Portillo, Assistant Vice President, Compliance Monitoring Officer Genesis Bank
Judith F. Posnikoff, PhD, Managing Director, Martlet Asset Management, LLC
Morgan Ratcliffe, Executive Director, Chief Communications Officer, Providence Health Plan
Dawn S. Reese, CFRE, Chief Executive Officer, The Wooden Floor
Saar Swartzon, Principal Attorney, Cohn & Swartzon, a Professional Law Corporation
Jerry Thode, Chief Executive Officer, J Paul Group, LLC
Shervin Vadood, Vice President, Branch Manager, Farmers & Merchants Bank
Ernesto M. Vasquez, FAIA, NCARB, Partner & CEO, SVA Architects, Inc.
Board Emeriti
Joan Beall, Community Leader
Beth A. Burns, Founder of The Wooden Floor and Artistic Director (’83-’05)
Sharon Hartshorn, Community Leader
Richard C. Hunsaker,** President, Hunsaker Management
Virginia Hunsaker,** Community Leader
Damien M. Jordan, General Manager, Retired, American Funds/ Capital Group Companies, Inc.
Yvonne M. Jordan, Community Leader
Socorro Vasquez, Community Leader * Executive Committee Members
In Memoriam
of August 14, 2024.
Step Forward:
BUILDING UPON 40 YEARS OF IMPACT
The Wooden Floor Endowment Campaign
Step Forward is designed to further grow The Wooden Floor’s Endowment Fund to ensure future generations of students can reach their full potential in school and life. Your contribution to the Endowment Fund serves hundreds more students each year, reaches those students least likely to be able to afford the programs and services we offer, maintains our connected-campus model plus potential new spaces, and sustains the high impact and quality programs and services that we are known for. We aim to provide long-term financial sustainability for today, and future generations of students to come.
ENDOWMENT FUND OPPORTUNITIES
There are three main areas of focus where your gift to the endowment can make an impact.
The Wooden Floor Endowment (in support of greatest need)
Contributions to The Wooden Floor’s Endowment Fund creates a legacy from your support, addressing areas of greatest need: inventive artistic and performance opportunities; wrap-around services including mental health support, academic tutoring, and technology; college and career readiness; individualized mentoring beginning as early as 6th grade; family support services, and much more.
The Wooden Floor Scholarship Endowment
Direct gifts or planned gifts towards The Wooden Floor’s Scholarship Endowment create long-term sustainability for the College Scholarship Awards program, to support more tailored college scholarship awards to keep pace with students’ access to higher education and help ensure our students graduate.
Build Upon the Future Endowment
Direct gifts or planned gifts in support of The Wooden Floor campuses will ensure that we will be able to grow prudently while focusing on financial sustainability; support the infrastructure and staffing required to sustain services; and update and improve upon our beautiful student facilities.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE THAT WILL LAST FOR GENERATIONS
Please consider a gift to our Step Forward campaign and contact CEO Dawn S. Reese at 714-541-8314 x124 or at Info@TheWoodenFloor.org for more information. With you walking by our side, we will step forward together.
STEP FORWARD LUNCHEON
October 10th, 2024 | 11:30am-1:00pm | The Wooden Floor Courtyard
You and a guest are cordially invited to a casual luncheon to learn more about The Wooden Floor Legacy Society and ways you can make a difference to our endowment fund. Join fellow long-term supporters to celebrate our mission and the life-changing outcomes for nearly 100,000 students.
For more information and to RSVP, please contact Tianna Haradon at Tianna@TheWoodenFloor.org or at 714.541.8314 ext. 124.
Supporter Sightings
41st Annual Concert: Opening Night Reception
May 2024
The Wooden Floor welcomed Concert Underwriters, supporters, and Dance Partners to enjoy the Opening Night Reception at Irvine Barclay Theatre, ahead of The Wooden Floor’s 41st Annual Concert: Onward. Our students collaborated with nationally acclaimed choreographers Momar Ndiaye, Tristian Koepke, and The Wooden Floor Artistic Director Jennifer Bassage Bonfil to co-create three world premiere dance pieces. The Annual Concert supports our innovative dance education programming through generous gifts and sponsorships.
“We feel blessed to have a dance partner like Sally McIver, who inspires big dreams. With her support and The Wooden Floor, my daughter has not only grown as a dancer but is also very excited about her academic future.”
From left: Alumna and Raquel Gonzalez, her daughter Rubi, and their Dance Partner Sally McIver.
Alumna Raquel Gonzalez's daughter Rubi attends The Wooden Floor and now shares the same Dance Partner that Raquel once had. This special bond means a lot to Raquel and her family.
Raquel Gonzalez, Alumna of The Wooden Floor
From left: Board Chair Jehan Jayakumar and his wife Jillian Jayakumar.
From left: Dave Stauffer, Board Member Ernesto Vasquez, The Wooden Floor CEO Dawn S. Reese, and Board member Bryan Green.
1810 North Main Street
Santa Ana, CA 92706-2727
714.541.8314
TheWoodenFloor.org
Please Save the Date!
Please gather with us at the following events to help propel our students and our mission forward. Follow us @TheWoodenFloor
18th Annual Keep the Promise Wine Tasting Benefit™
September 19, 2024 | 6:00pm BIG CANYON COUNTRY CLUB, NEWPORT BEACH
A fun, strolling blind wine tasting competition featuring 12 spectacular wines from around the world, with an average rating of 97 pts. and above. Proceeds help us keep the promise to each of our students: from here, you can step anywhere.
More information at TheWoodenFloor.org/WineTasting
Annual Auditions
October 19, 2024 | 8:30am
THE WOODEN FLOOR MAIN STREET LOCATION
Know a child who needs us? Spread the word throughout our community about the opportunity to join The Wooden Floor.
More information at TheWoodenFloor.org/Auditions
Eat & Wrap
December 9, 2024 | 11:00am THE WOODEN FLOOR MAIN STREET LOCATION
Join The Wooden Floor as we bring holiday cheer to our 475 students! Enjoy wrapping gifts for each and every child and decorating trees to be sent home with students who would otherwise go without.
More information at TheWoodenFloor.org/Events
Driving Futures
February 27, 2025 | 6:00pm SINGLETON CLASSICS, COSTA MESA
The Driving Futures Scholarship Benefit supports the profound, long-term investment The Wooden Floor makes in our students’ 10-year journey from elementary school to college, including The Wooden Floor’s Merit-based College Scholarship Awards.
More information at TheWoodenFloor.org/DrivingFutures
Photography by
Sargeant
Creative and Tony Lattimore.
The Wooden Floor.