WHAT WE DO

Growing Greatness empowers youth, women, and families through bilingual, community-centered programs rooted in wellness, outdoor education, cultural connection, and experiential learning. We create spaces where people can heal, grow, build resilience, and become leaders in their communities.

YOUTH: Growing Greatness
Cultivating Youth Changemakers

Cultivating Changemakers is a relational, nature-based curriculum that develops youth agency, systems awareness, and leadership through experiential learning. Grounded in lived experience, participants engage in reflection, dialogue, and hands-on activities in nature that connect personal stories to the social, cultural, environmental, and economic systems shaping their lives. Through this process, youth develop the confidence, critical awareness, and collective capacity to take meaningful action in their communities.

The curriculum encourages young people to see themselves not simply as participants in their communities, but as leaders, problem-solvers, and changemakers capable of creating positive impact. Through outdoor adventures, community projects, collaborative learning, and opportunities for youth voice and leadership, participants strengthen their sense of belonging, resilience, and connection to others.
By integrating systems thinking, reflection, relationship-building, and real-world action, Cultivating Changemakers helps youth discover their strengths, develop a deeper understanding of the world around them, and build the skills necessary to navigate complexity and contribute to more just, healthy, and thriving communities.

Vision Statement

Our Vision

We envision thriving communities where all people , especially youth, women, and historically underserved families, feel connected, empowered, and valued as leaders and changemakers. Through relationships, nature, movement, cultural wisdom, and collective action, we strive to nurture a more just, compassionate, resilient, and interconnected world where everyone has the opportunity to grow, belong, and contribute to community wellbeing.

Our Mission

Growing Greatness cultivates leadership, wellness, belonging, and community transformation through culturally grounded experiential learning, outdoor education, relational organizing, and community-centered programming. Rooted in trust, connection, and collective care, we work alongside youth, women, and families to co-create bilingual and accessible spaces where people can heal, grow, build resilience, and develop the confidence and systems awareness needed to lead meaningful change in their communities.

Mission Statement

Meet the team

Our team is small but mighty. We are passionate about what we do. ¡Nos encantaría conocerte!

Kymberly Lacrosse

Kymberly Lacrosse was born in Watsonville where her heart will always reside. At a young age, Kym developed a love for the outdoors, adventure and nature. She lives a down-to-earth DIY lifestyle, and has a deep sense of community. She has been a community leader for the last 40 years. She served on her first Board of Directors at 15 and has lived a life of service since. Her formal education includes Cabrillo College, UCSC, SJSU, and the California Institute of Integral Studies. She is currently working on a PhD in Transformative Studies. Kymberly brings a heartfelt passion to social justice, experiential education and community engagement that is rooted in an undeniable commitment to see individuals and communities to be inspired, powerful and unstoppable. Her commitment to equity and justice drive her to work diligently to change the systems in place for a more equitable and thriving world. Her work has earned both local and national recognition. She is a also a non-profit consultant. She runs the non-profit she established in 2021, Growing Greatness. The organization’s work focuses on youth, women and families - connecting them to nature, local resources and each other. Kym loves to travel, work in her garden, sew, paint and craft. Most of all she loves her family which includes her two large doggos, Max and Bella.

Lucia Perez

I was raised in Watsonville, a spirited community built by hardworking immigrant families striving to create better futures. Growing up, I faced my share of challenges, especially during high school, where I often felt unsupported. But despite the obstacles, I became the first in my family to attend college. After high school, I started at community college, a time of exploration where I discovered my passion for helping others. When the opportunity came to transfer, I chose to continue my education at CSUMB, where I’m now pursuing a degree in Collaborative Health and Human Services with a concentration in Public Health. As part of the CHHS program, I began an internship with Growing Greatness, an experience that brought me closer to my roots in Watsonville. Working with the youth here feels deeply personal because so many of them remind me of a younger version of myself. Many struggle to find motivation and purpose, and I know how transformative even small opportunities can be. Growing Greatness gives these young people tools to thrive, from meaningful connections to empowering activities. Seeing the impact it has on their lives inspires me to continue this work. I want to dedicate myself to motivating and uplifting Watsonville’s youth, helping them recognize their potential and chase beyond their dreams.

Aaron Gaxiola

Aaron was born and raised in Watsonville, Ca, and has a deep appreciation for the community that saw him grow up. He comes from a single mother household, and was raised by his grandmother. His grandmother instilled in him a great faith; with it he learned the importance of being in communion with his community, and helping those that are less fortunate. He is also a Cabrillo College student, who is studying for a psychology degree. Furthermore, he holds a sense of appreciation for the many jobs he has had including: being a chocolate melter at Sunridge Farms, working at the library as a homework program coordinator and library page, selling shirts for “The Ville”, working at two farmers markets, working at a youth center, caretaking an RV park, serving at schools, and coaching soccer. These experiences have helped to shape my character, and to truly encounter ways to help others. Aaron now serves as program staff for Growing Greatness where he continues his transformation and growth journey.

Gina Gallino

My name is Gina Gallino. I grew up in the Pajaro Valley as part of an active, community minded and outdoorsy family. I’m grateful to have played lots of sports and learned to camp, ski, and ride bikes. I love introducing folks to nature based experiences.

Jasmin Cisneros-Ruiz

Hello, My name is Jasmin Cisneros-Ruiz. I have started my journey with Growing Greatness as an Intern. I picked this site because it suited the requirements for my major, CHHS (Collaborative Health and Human Services). Not only does Growing Greatness provide services and events for the community in Watsonville, it also has activities that I'm passionate about plus more. I have been passionate about hiking and camping so that got my attention, riding bikes was a big plus. In just one year, I learned so much from them. I lived, I laughed, I traveled, and so much more. I liked the times when I got to bring my camera and take photos on the trips I went on with them. While I'm no longer an intern, I'm happy to continue working with Growing Greatness in other ways that I can and hopefully welcome new members the same way I was welcomed when I started.