OUR ORGANIZATION

The Way to Go program is a non-profit organization now on its 20th year. Our goal has always been about providing kids a wonderful and memorable summer experience. Over the years the program structure has changed to encompass more of what is important...Healthy Kids was introduced in summer 2009 in response to the startling statistics about childhood obesity. Our program now offers a stronger emphasis on building and maintaining healthy bodies in addition to building healthy minds, hearts, and souls.

What has not changed is the desire to allow kids to have the kind of summer they want! A custom made summer, because each child’s sense of adventure and comfort levels are as different as the child. Since the program’s inception the goal has been to minister to children through academic and recreational summer activities to enrich their brains, hearts...in short, the whole child!

Way to Go Foundation Inc. is a non-profit organization with a continued goal of growing its ministry and extending our program offerings to more children.

Vision

The Way to Go Foundation Inc. is a non-profit organization which vision is to offer programs that build HEALTHY KIDS (body, heart, and mind for all) and be able to impact one child at a time to make a difference in the world.

Mission

Our mission is to put Christian principles into practice through academically challenging activities designed to help children retain the information learned during the school year. We are committed to provide a safe and fun environment where your child feels a sense of belonging, renewed enthusiasm, and the freedom to share thoughts and ideas (innovators). A program that will encourage healthy choices for themselves, their school, their community and the World.

THE FOUNDERS

- Armando & Luckie Leiva, Founders -

We have been married for 35+ years and Way to Go has been a part of our lives for over 20 years now. We love seeing the journey it has taken us through and the many families it has benefited. We both love helping families, and at Way to Go we are able to do that – to make it a home away from home for the children.

Armando graduated as a General Physician in the City of Guatemala. He works as a Medical Assistant at a local Hospital and is a Volunteer Senior Pastor of Ministerios El Camino Real in Mountain View, CA. He continues to support Way to Go and has since its inception. Armando is a biker at heart – he bikes to work every day. Luckie was trained as a Kindergarten Teacher in the city of Guatemala and works teaching Spanish to students in Los Altos and Palo Alto, CA. She serves as the Director of Way to Go’s programming. Luckie loves fitness, nutrition, and spending time with their grand babies.

Together we enjoy traveling when we can, we love nature, and it is our privilege to serve and help people. Thank you for allowing us to serve your family.     – Armando & Luckie Leiva

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

- Kyle Westwood, President -
When I was asked to serve on the board of Way to Go, I felt extremely honored and privileged. I still feel deeply blessed to be able to contribute the things I have gained through 5+ years of team leadership experience in non-profit, volunteer, and cross-cultural environments. I strongly believe that Way to Go has something special to offer to our highly valued community. I promise to personally do everything I can to enrich the Way to Go experience for you and your children.
My educational background is in Business Administration, and in my (limited) free time I enjoy trail running, snowboarding, reading, and travel.
- Hope Flamenco, Secretary -
am so excited to help support the Way to Go program by serving on their board! Personally, I have worked for a non-profit organization for the past 15 years, and hope that my experience in working at a non-profit as well as 17 plus years in the field of Early Childhood Education can be of great benefit to the Way to Go program. As a parent board member, I hope to also be able to contribute a parental perspective, and be a support for the families of Way to Go as well. I truly believe in the vision of Way to Go and see the blessing it has been for our Family and many others. I am so excited to help support the Way to Go staff in providing a quality program for our children. My educational background is in Early Childhood Education, and in my free time, I like spending time with my family, going to the beach and reading.
- Gigi Kubursi, Financial Officer -

OUR STAFF

- Luckie Leiva, Program Director -
Way to Go has been a part of my life since 2001. I enjoy working with the staff, families and children. My favorite part of the program is the relationship we have developed with everyone involved. I am a full time Spanish teacher K- High School and director-founder of Way to Go. I love working with my students, they give me the joy and energy to keep my busy schedule. I have an Early Childhood Development Certification from Guatemala. Also graduated from the National Hispanic University as a Spanish-English Translator & Interpretrer. I am currently taking Child Development classes at Foothil College. Love God's nature and children. A wife and mother of two. My whole family is involved at Way to Go. We are a big great Way to Go Family!
-Andres Leiva, Assistant Director & Programs Coordinator-

Andres has been working with children for over 17 years. Most of his experience has come from teaching sports and running summer programs for different camps. He has been the LACS middle school PE teacher for the past 4 years. Since Andres introduced obstacle course training to the PE program, it has been a major hit. Children tend to workout harder and generally don’t complain as they do in other sports. Andres is in the process of obtaining a certification in Obstacle Course Training and a Degree in Film Production. He recently had his first podium finish in the Elite Category at a Spartan Race and plans to get many more. His mission is to take kids from any level of physical ability and transform the way they think and perform. Kids will build confidence in themselves and get stronger in all aspects of life through this style of training. If they play other sports, this training will boost their strength and endurance guaranteed. Aside from working with kids, Andres loves traveling with his wife and finding beautiful places in nature. His three favorite places in the world are Disneyland, Hawaii and Yosemite.

-Amy Leiva, Photographer & Assistant Coordinator-

I have worked and been involved with Way to Go since the beginning; first by attending as a camper and now as a counselor. My heart for the kids will never cease to grow as the years go by. When people ask me what my passion is I respond by saying, “…to be a wife and a mother.” I authentically mean that, which is why I am currently focusing on serving and learning specific things that will benefit my future as a wife and mother. I enjoy the great outdoors, painting, traveling, animals, tea and reading. Christ is my first love and He continues to demonstrate His grace by calling me His beloved daughter every day.

-Daniel Serrano, Head Teacher-

I’m a P.E. Specialist at Challenger and recently received my Nutrition Certification. I am a very Avid Chalk Artist, I’ve been invited to various chalk festivals in Downtown San Jose and I was featured in Metro Magazine for my piece called ” Teen Titans Go”. In my spare time, I run competitively in Spartan races and I’m obsessed over creating new recipes in the kitchen. With over a decade of experience in traditional sports and I have a background in Kinesiology. I am super excited to be joining the Way To Go Camp this summer!

-Viola Loo, Head Teacher-

I have a Degree in Early Childhood Education and currently working towards my teaching credential. This will be my second summer at Way to Go and I am on staff at Los Altos Christian Schools during the academic year. Prior to coming to LACS, I have worked with children ranging from infants to 8th grade. Outside of work, I love to cook and read. I am actively serving in children’s ministry at my church. I am super excited to see what God has in store for us!

-Kayla Dacanay, Head Teacher-  

I graduated from University of the Pacific with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. Currently I am pursuing my Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology at University of San Francisco. I have been working with kids for about 4 years at Way to Go, sports programs and at Los Altos Christian School. Outside of work, I love to spend time with my family, watch movies, and bake.

-Mary Carmen Khouri, Teacher-  

I am originally from Pucallpa, a city in eastern Peru, and I graduated from the Universidad Nacional de Ucayali with a Bachelor’s degree in Education and a specialty in Natural Sciences. I taught for three years subjects such as biology and chemistry to a variety of age groups, and I moved to California in 2019 to marry my fiancé. I have been a teacher’s aide at the Way to Go After School Spanish Immersion Program. In my spare time, I like to give massages and watch K-dramas with friends. I am very excited to be a teacher at this summer’s Way To Go camp!