Brittany DyerSenior Manager for Youth and Family Engagement “It isn’t where you came from. It’s where you’re going that counts.” ― Ella Fitzgerald Born in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and raised in Northern Virginia, Brittany’s passion for education and community service has guided her professional journey. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a…
Christa SmithHigh Impact Tutoring Coordinator Christa, a native of the Washington DC area, has dedicated her life to education and community empowerment. In 2022, she joined Kid Power as a HIT Coordinator, bringing her extensive experience as an educator spanning over two decades. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, specializing in literacy…
Stanley BerryHigh Impact Tutoring Coordinator Stanley Berry is a High Impact Tutoring Coordinator at Malcolm X Elementary School in Washington, DC. A native Washingtonian, Stanley has been working as a tutor and writer in the Washington Metro Area for several years. A youth and community advocate, Stanley enjoys supporting local youth and working with the…
Charles M. ThomasOperations Manager “In all our deeds, the proper value and respect for time determines success or failure” – Malcolm X Charles joined the Kid Power team in 2023, with a rich background in various organizations, where he held pivotal roles as a Facilities and Operations Manager, Operations Manager, and Freelance Technical Writer. Charles…
Aiden Teplitzky DobensMentor and Partner Development “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing.” – Unknown Aiden Teplitzky Dobens was born and raised in New York City. He attended college in Boston at Emerson College, where he received a B.A. in Journalism. After graduating, Aiden spent three…
Sarah PasqualiniDirector, High Impact Tutoring “Teaching is the greatest act of optimism” – Colleen Wilcox Sarah Pasqualini grew up in Connecticut and graduated from The University of Alabama with a dual certification in Elementary and Special Education. She began her teaching career as a Teach for America corps member in Atlanta, GA, and has been…
Hannah Ayer Program Manager, Youth Engagement “Be the change you wish to see in the world” – Mahatma Gandhi Hannah Ayer was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. She attended Kent State University and graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, concentrating in Counseling Careers. Hannah is passionate about supporting youth through educational…
DeShantee “Nikki“ OliverVeggieTime Director “When great trees fall in forests, small things recoil into silence, their senses eroded beyond fear.” ― Maya Angelou DeShantee “Nikki” Oliver, a DC native has lived in Ward 8 for the past twenty-five years. With a lifelong passion for gardening, she has dedicated her life to becoming a professional horticulturist,…
Felicity Poussaint-BekongProgram Coordinator, High Impact Tutoring “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” – Alice Walker Felicity is a native Washingtonian who joined Kid Power in 2004 as a student. She stayed involved in Kid Power through elementary and middle school, and gained an interest in…
Kaitlin PutnamSenior Program Director – Older Youth Programs “The future is not a gift, it is an achievement” – Robert F. Kennedy Kaitlin joined Mentors, Inc. in 2017 and joined the Kid Power family in 2019 when the organizations joined forces. Kaitlin has always had a passion for service and education, leading her to pursue…
Sterling Pino-DeGaleSenior Program Director – Out of School Time “What you are afraid to do is a clear indication of the next thing you need to do.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson Sterling Pino-DeGale grew up in Northern Virginia and currently resides in Washington, DC. A graduate of Virginia Tech, Sterling earned a B.S. in Wildlife…
Martina J. ArnoldDirector of Development “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” — Maya Angelou. Martina Arnold is a native Washingtonian who joined Kid Power in June of 2018 with more than 15 years of experience fundraising and building business development programs for nonprofit organizations and…
Curtis LeitchDeputy Director “When I was young, my ambition was to be one of the people who made a difference in this world. My hope is to leave the world a little better for having been there.” – Jim Henson Curtis Leitch was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. He went to Washington State University…
Andria TobinExecutive Director “Education should not be the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” — William Butler Yeats Andria Tobin has worked with under-served youth in Virginia, Arizona, and Washington, DC for nearly 20 years. As Kid Power’s Program Director for seven years, Andria worked closely with youth and families helping…
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Who said virtual events had to be boring? Not Us!
Join us for a fun night of interactive cooking, award presentation, a silent auction and raffle items, and delicious food with wine pairing at our virtual 8th Annual Taste of the Garden fundraiser on October 8th.
During this event, we will spotlight the important work of Kid Power, our families, instructors, and community leaders with impact stories, and of course preparing an amazing 3-course meal with our featured Chef and his special guests!
2020 KID POWER HONOREES
Capital Area Food Bank
(Excellence in Leadership Award)
Joanne Odom, Medstar Georgetown University Hospital
(Community Hero Award)