2025 Volunteer in Action

Community Volunteer

Little Leaders for a Bigger Tomorrow (Jade Centeno and Maria Medina)

Fontana Unified School District

As the inspiration and founding members of Little Leaders for a Bigger Tomorrow, Jade Centeno and Maria Medina have shaped a program that has impacted hundreds of students over the past decade. The foundation for Little Leaders for a Bigger Tomorrow was built in 2012 when Redwood Elementary School counselor Eduardo Valencia saw the need for a leadership program. At the time, Jade, a 1st grader passionate about leadership, had few opportunities to develop her skills. Maria, a 6th grader with strong leadership qualities, was eager to make a difference. Recognizing their enthusiasm, Mr. Valencia engaged Maria to collaborate with him and Jade in shaping Redwood’s first leadership program.

Maria and Jade exemplify leadership through service. A UC Berkeley graduate and teacher, Maria, has returned to Redwood Elementary every year since 2011 to mentor students and lead initiatives like food drives and the Elementary School Leadership Summit, which she helped establish. Her work has empowered hundreds of young leaders in Fontana.

Jade, a founding mentor of Little Leaders for a Bigger Tomorrow, turned early setbacks into opportunities, co-creating the Leadership Summit and guiding K-12 students. Her resilience and dedication prove that true leadership lifts others. Both women have shaped a legacy of service, showing that the best leaders don’t just achieve, they inspire.

Now, over a decade later, Jade and Maria continue to mentor and inspire new Little Leaders. Their dedication has helped transform the program into a model of leadership, service and community engagement. As proud FUSD graduates, they demonstrate their unwavering belief in the power of student leadership, leaving a lasting impact on future generations of Fontana students.

Service Group

Redlands Educational Partnership

Redlands Unified School District

 Founded in 1987, Redlands Educational Partnership (REP) was established by a group of dedicated parents and community stakeholders with a shared vision: to prioritize education, enhance learning opportunities, and prepare students to become contributing members of society.

REP has provided RUSD students and staff with critical resources and enrichment opportunities, helping bridge educational gaps and ensuring all students have access to the tools and experiences they need to succeed. In the 2024-2025 school year alone, REP has awarded $72,500 in teacher grants, funding unique and engaging educational experiences such as Snap Circuit kits for third graders exploring electricity, AVID field trips exposing students to college and career opportunities, high school physics lab upgrades, artistic enrichment tools for AP art students, and even an LED dance floor for Redlands East Valley High School’s PossAbilities Prom, fostering inclusivity for students of all abilities. These grants enhance learning for thousands of students while allowing educators to bring engaging lessons to life.

In addition to teacher grants, REP has also distributed $32,500 in principal grants, funding impactful projects such as sensory gardens for elementary students, murals and artistic enhancements, preparedness efforts and library updates. REP is primarily funded through community donations, corporate sponsorships, and grants, reflecting the community’s strong dedication to supporting education.

Beyond grants, REP supports district programs through musical instrument purchases, summer learning camps, and employee recognitions—enhancing the educational experience for students and staff.

For nearly four decades, REP’s initiatives have ensured that RUSD students are not only equipped with the academic skills they need to succeed, but also with the confidence, creativity and character to achieve their goals in life.