David Benavides serves as Executive Director/CEO of KidWorks. KidWorks is a community development non-profit that operates community centers in three under-resourced neighborhoods of Santa Ana, CA. Programs include preschool, afterschool tutoring, and personal, spiritual, and leadership development for children, youth, and parents. KidWorks vision is to unleash youth potential; to develop young leaders who are making a lasting impact in their communities. David is the fourth of seven children born to immigrant parents from Mexico. He attended Biola University. As a college student in 1996 he participated in an 8-week internship with KidWorks, at the time a small summer program. As part of his internship, he moved into one of the most challenged neighborhoods of Santa
Ana to mentor youth. Along with his family, David still lives and works in that neighborhood today.