This Jason Guinto Award was established to honor the memory of a beloved member of our Oakland After School and Summer community, Jason Guinto.

For more than seven years, Jason Guinto was a trailblazing program manager with the OUSD After School Programs Office office and a highly talented, committed program leader for the East Bay Asian Youth Center. During this time, Jason made a tremendous contribution to Oakland after school and summer programs, where he served students and families with consistent dedication. Jason was passionate about challenging social injustices and advocating for youth. He valued learning, growth, and internal discovery in himself, in his staff, and in the children and youth that he served with great love and enthusiasm. Jason held high expectations of staff while providing staff with the necessary supports to thrive. Jason believed that programs should always stay fresh and introduce young people to new experiences each year. He was an active member in the community and successfully leveraged partnerships that brought additional enrichment opportunities, supports, and services to his students and families. Jason significantly elevated the quality of after school and summer programs for the Oakland community, and was a leader – always supporting others to achieve their full potential.

In honor of Jason's memory, the OUSD After School Programs Office would like to recognize other dedicated members of our Oakland after school and summer communities who similarly exemplify strengths in the following four areas: commitment to support social justice, commitment to support and develop staff; commitment to innovative programming for Oakland children and youth; and commitment to community engagement and partnership.

2018- Miguel Ahumada

Miguel is a proud Mexican American who was raised in Oakland and wanted to be a role model for the younger generation. He has been working for BACR for past 6 years. When he first started working with youth it came to him naturally and he loves the satisfaction of observing exponential growth. Miguel helps his community by helping students establish values and find out what their strengths are. Also by giving them the platform to express themselves, give them a voice, grow academically and social emotionally. All the hard work we do pays off because we are making a difference. Miguel is a proud leader at Korematsu Discovery Academy.

2017- Juan Ramirez

Juan feels very deeply, is very secure in the belief that love is the most important value he holds at school on a daily basis. He has an uncanny ability to get along with everyone and this is because he is true to himself and very honest with others. He recognizes that in this work to be yourself is the greatest gift to oneself and others. He approaches his work with zeal and deep care. Juan gets to see the biggest growth of his students through service and that is something he will always advocate for. A proud servant of the Street Academy community and he wouldn't have it any other way!

2016- Nikita Williams

Nikita was born in raised in Oakland Ca. Nikita attended OUSD schools for most of her education. Nikita also attended EBAYC (East Bay Asian Youth Center) programs as a youth getting mentor by high school students and found a love for giving back to her community over time. Nikita was a Program Coordinator for the last six years at Garfield Elementary. Prior to becoming the Program Coordinator, Nikita served as a teaching Intern and volunteer for three years with EBAYC. In her role as the Program Coordinator, Nikita is responsible for day-to-day program support that includes monitoring program start, snack, and end periods; monitoring facility usage and maintenance, and coordinating selected educational enrichment activities for the youth in her program.

2015- Francisco Sanchez

Francisco was born in Mexico City and raised in Oakland. Francisco attended OUSD schools K-12 where he found his love for art. Several years after graduating from Emiliano Zapata Street Academy he returned to Street Academy where he taught art after-school. He found that after-school was a special place where youth were engaged in their interests, providing a perfect vehicle to re-spark their interest in education. After eight years of working as an Art Teacher at several sites, he eventually decided to become the After-School Coordinator at Rudsdale High School.