about us
For the past 18 years, Kids Korner at UCLA has been serving the Los Angeles community through our tutoring and mentoring program that provides underserved youth with academic and learning opportunities. The main community we specifically work with is Venice Community Housing Center, a non-profit organization that fosters community development by providing services such as family support programs and affordable housing. Our mission is to ensure that the students we help – including kindergarteners through sixth graders – are receiving the individual attention, assistance, and resources that all people pursuing education deserve. At our Monday sites (occur every week throughout the quarter from 3-6 pm), we provide the children with a carefully designed curriculum, tailored to meet their specific needs and supplement what they are learning in school. We also aim to foster a love for learning through fun, educational, and interactive activities where students can engage with one another and think both critically and creatively.
meet our leadership board
2023 - 2024
Jalyn Ia
President
Jalyn is a fourth-year from Clovis, CA studying Biology. She joined Kids Korner, because she loves working with kids and believes in the importance of accessible and equitable education! Her favorite part about the organization is the community of people she has been able to meet and connect with. In her free time, she enjoys reading, doing pilates, and visiting cafes and bakeries!
Chris Oh
Co-Curriculum Director
Chris is a third-year from Cupertino, CA, majoring in Cognitive Science with a specialization in Computing. He joined Kids Korner due to the sense of fulfillment gained through tutoring and working through activities with service recipients. In his free time, Chris enjoys learning languages and searching for the best boba!
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Albert Vo
Academic Coordinator
Albert is a fourth-year from Garden Grove, CA, majoring in MCDB. He joined Kids Korner, because he used to be a Vietnamese teaching assistant and loves interacting with students. What he loves most about Kids Korner is being able to create a fun, inclusive, and safe environment where students can learn and enjoy various activities. In his free time, one of his hobbies is doing gymnastics!
Kaili Valenzuela
Publicity Director
Kaili is a fourth-year Physiological Science major and is from Los Angeles. Kaili joined Kids Korner, because she loves kids and believes it is important that all kids have the educational support they need. A fun fact about Kaili is that she has a pet rabbit!
Aaina Shrivatsa
External Vice President
Aaina is a fourth-year Neuroscience major. Her hometown is Chicago, Illinois, and she joined Kids Korner as a freshman, because she loves working with kids and hearing the stories they have to share. A fun fact about Aaina is that she lived in Singapore for four years!
Leah Sarokin
Co-Curriculum Director
Leah is a fourth-year Psychology major from San Ramon, CA. She joined Kids Korner, because she enjoyed working with kids in high school and wanted to continue doing so while at UCLA. Her favorite part of Kids Korner is how the curriculum is not solely academic and incorporates fun activities. A fun fact about Leah is that she’s allergic to almonds but can drink almond milk!
Alex Simon
Finance Director
Alex is a third-year Business Economics major. She is from Torrance, CA. Her favorite thing about Kids Korner is seeing the students’ skills develop over time and also being able to reward them by taking them on field trips. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, going to the beach, baking, and trying new food places!
Caelin Brenninkmeijer
Internal Vice President
Caelin is a fourth-year studying Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology. She was born and raised in Los Angeles. She joined Kids Korner, because it gave her the opportunity to give back to the community whilst working with kids! In her free time, she enjoys hiking, exploring new places with friends, and reading.
Sophia Hu
Activities Coordinator
Sophia is a fourth-year from Mendham, NJ studying Psychobiology with a Mathematical Biology minor. She joined Kids Korner because of the opportunity to spend time with the kids and hopefully create a fun learning experience for them. Some of her hobbies include running, baking and traveling!
Janelle SooHoo
Finance Coordinator
Janelle SooHoo is a fourth-year MCDB major and Biomedical Research minor from Dublin, CA. She joined Kids Korner, because it gave her the opportunity to work with amazing kids and a way to become involved with, and give back to, the community. Her favorite memory with Kids Korner was a painting social last year. Janelle loves trying new Trader Joe’s snacks/foods (so feel free to give her your favorite recommendations)!
