What is the MIX Academy?
What is the MIX Academy?
The MIX Academy is an incubated project under Charitable Ventures serving the local Santa Ana community. Our Mission is to provide a safe place to be seen, known, and empowered through learning experiences and community development; to preserve the dignity of everyone by welcoming and embracing each other’s life histories and culture; and to build a more just community, a multicultural and multigenerational family.
Our Vision is to build a new woven society that sees, cares, and gives.
The MIX Academy is an incubated project under Charitable Ventures serving the local Santa Ana community. Our Mission is to provide a safe place to be seen, known, and empowered through learning experiences and community development; to preserve the dignity of everyone by welcoming and embracing each other’s life histories and culture; and to build a more just community, a multicultural and multigenerational family.
Our Vision is to build a new woven society that sees, cares, and gives.
Our History
Our History
We opened our doors in 2014 after our founders Maribel Toan and Lambert Lo saw the need for a safe place for families to eat and play together in the evening.
After surveying the local community and getting input of what they would like to see, we have served hundreds of families, students, and those experiencing homelessness with free personal enrichment classes such as Visual Arts, Tutoring, Music, Martial Arts, Zumba and Chess, taught by volunteer instructors.
Additionally, as a way to facilitate the inclusion of the whole family and the connection among all attendees, we began offering a weekly community dinner. For the last 6 years, we have fed over 116,000 people.
The program further aims to foster leadership development within participants; over 50% have returned to serve the community.
Outside of and during weekly programs, the MIX Academy is in partnership with Scholarship Prep, the charter school on campus, to provide supplemental support to students and their families.
We opened our doors in 2014 after our founders Maribel Toan and Lambert Lo saw the need for a safe place for families to eat and play together in the evening.
After surveying the local community and getting input of what they would like to see, we have served hundreds of families, students, and those experiencing homelessness with free personal enrichment classes such as Visual Arts, Tutoring, Music, Martial Arts, Zumba and Chess, taught by volunteer instructors.
Additionally, as a way to facilitate the inclusion of the whole family and the connection among all attendees, we began offering a weekly community dinner. For the last 6 years, we have fed over 116,000 people.
The program further aims to foster leadership development within participants; over 50% have returned to serve the community.
Outside of and during weekly programs, the MIX Academy is in partnership with Scholarship Prep, the charter school on campus, to provide supplemental support to students and their families.
MIX team
We have a MIX Team and an Advisory Board both directed by Maribel Toan,
consisting of a group of neighbors coming from diverse journeys
who have a heart for the immigrant and the misfit.
We believe in the value of sharing our stories
while connecting with the joy of life
as a way to build a loving community for all people.
MIX team
We have a MIX Team and an Advisory Board both directed by Maribel Toan, consisting of a group of neighbors coming from diverse journeys who have a heart for the immigrant and the misfit.
We believe in the value of sharing our stories while connecting with the joy of life as a way to build a loving community for all people.
Maribel Toan
Maribel Toan
executive director/co-founder
executive director/co-founder
Katie Kim-Park
Katie Kim-Park
project director
project director
Wanderlust/ninja mama of two vibrant boys, a loving husband, and three furbabies. When she's is not cleaning up or caring for her family, she is always looking for ways to get involved in her community. She loves giving to others.
Ritchie Kong
Ritchie Kong
Social Media Manager/Designer
Social Media Manager/Designer
Johnny Barry
Johnny Barry
Volunteer Liaison
Volunteer Liaison
Lillian Chan
Lillian Chan
Resident
Resident
Lauren Marino
Lauren Marino
Initiatives Developer
Initiatives Developer
One of Lauren's passions is furthering her studies at the Cook School of Intercultural Studies, where she is learning more about cross-cultural communication and peace and conflict transformation. She loves listening, learning, and being in community with others.
One of Lauren's passions is furthering her studies at the Cook School of Intercultural Studies, where she is learning more about cross-cultural communication and peace and conflict transformation. She loves listening, learning, and being in community with others.
María Piña
María Piña
Community and Family Outreach Liaison
COMMUNITY AND FAMILY OUTREACH LIAISON
María Piña was born in Mexico and is a proud wife and mother of 4 children. As a resident of the city of Santa Ana, she works in the community, sharing his passion for cooking, especially Mexican dishes. María continues her work and her passion for serving others grows more and more every day.
María Piña was born in Mexico and is a proud wife and mother of 4 children. As a resident of the city of Santa Ana, she works in the community, sharing his passion for cooking, especially Mexican dishes. María continues her work and her passion for serving others grows more and more every day.
Advisory Board
Advisory Board
Dave Gibbons
Dave Gibbons
Rehana Rodriguez
Rehana Rodriguez
Ava Steaffens
Ava Steaffens
Jack Toan
Dave Gibbons
Jack is the CO-CEO at Illumination Foundation. He is a strategic leader with a background in reputation management, community development, and corporate philanthropy. He has volunteered his time to teach martial arts to underserved children for the past 21 years.
Sandra Rodriguez
Sandra Rodriguez
Sandra is a Schoolhouse Rock Gen X, deeply rooted in the City of Santa Ana, where Sandra grew up and is currently a business owner with her life partner and two sons. She's an advocate, mentor, and resource parent for families experiencing vulnerability and isolation. Her passion is planting seeds for the future generation.
Jack Toan
Sandra Rodriguez
Sandra is a Schoolhouse Rock Gen X, deeply rooted in the City of Santa Ana, where Sandra grew up and is currently a business owner with her life partner and two sons. She's an advocate, mentor, and resource parent for families experiencing vulnerability and isolation. Her passion is planting seeds for the future generation.
We are here to welcome you
for classes and food distribution
The MIX Academy
now and beyond your community
We are here to welcome you
for classes and food distribution
The MIX Academy
now and beyond your community