Watermark Kids are committed to expressing themselves and making a difference in the world. They range in age from 6 to 22 and are of every shape, size and color. They are full of heart, compassion and caring.

To become a Watermark Kid, express your Self! Let us know how you want to express your compassion, leadership, creativity, spirit, etc. and how Watermark for Kids can help.

To apply for funding you need a Coach. Coaches are Watermark associates or residents who are committed to the success of Watermark Kids.  To be paired with a Coach, please email jill@watermarkforkids.org or call 520-797-4000. Your Coach will help you complete an application.

BRIDGETTE JONES, Tucson, Arizona Along with her drama partner, Bridgette wrote and performed a play about the Birth of Jazz for an Innovations in History event. The performance piece advanced at both the state and regional competitions and qualified for a national competition. Despite her best efforts at fundraising, Bridgette raised only $400 which was short of the$1000 cost for the trip to Washington DC. Watermark for Kids gladly awarded her the remaining funds needed to express her passions for drama and to expand her horizons with this meaningful, memorable trip and competition. Upon her return, Bridgette will perform the piece for The Fountains at La Cholla, a Watermark community in Tucson, AZ. Watch for Bridgette’s photo coming soon!

JASMINE RIEGERT, Tucson, Arizona
Jasmine has always been a dedicated student. She works hard in school and her favorite things are helping others learn how to read and making friends. Attending Circus Camp as a Watermark Kid, Jasmine loved learning all the different skills including globe walking, aerial silks, poi spinning, drumming and stilt walking. She says the best thing she learned in camp was that when something looks hard it is really just a challenge to practice and have confidence in yourself because you can probably learn to do it and have a lot of fun!



COREY DROUIN, Feeding Hills, Massachusetts
Corey is an active young man despite the fact that he uses a wheelchair due to Spina Bifida. He’s an avid hockey fan and has a passion for playing Sled Hockey. Over the years the equipment that was donated to him has worn out and he has outgrown it. Through Watermarkfor Kids he now has new equipment that allows him to play to his full potential. He’s excited to teach younger players and with his advanced equipment he can take on the role of helping younger players adjust and grow as well. We’re especially proud to present his award, as Corey is our very first Watermark Kid to be Coached by a former Watermark Kid, Dan Hesser! Photos of Corey in action on the ice coming soon!

TREVAUGHN SMITH, Springfield, Massachusetts
Music is something that Trevaughn has loved his entire life. For as long as he can remember he has wanted to learn to play the guitar. In his own words in his application, “Learning to play guitar would help me be open minded, learn new things, express myself and boost my self confidence.” Trevaughn is looking forward to playing the guitar and helping other people learn and he also wants to someday tell another youth about the Watermark for Kids program so that they’ll have the same opportunity to express themselves, learn, grow and thrive. Watermark for Kids was happy to award Trevaughn a guitar and lessons to get him on his feet as a budding young player. After a few lessons, Trevaughn will make his first public performance debut for the residents and associates at East Village Place, a Watermark retirement community! Bravo!


DONALD L. TUZ Jr, New Milford, Connecticut
Donald is pictured here with his grandma and Boy Scouts Troop Leader Jim Bain, Executive Chef at The Watermark at East Hill. Donald is a wonderful young man who has always excelled in the Boy Scout program. Jim knew that the opportunity to go to the 2010 Boy Scout jamboree would open Donald’s world and enhance his citizenship, character development and self reliance as well as give him the experience to see Philadelphia and Washington DC and be a part of this national event attended by up to 40,000 Scouts. Donald is looking forward to meeting new people, making new friends, visiting new places and bringing ideas back for the benefit of his troop. The Jamboree takes place this summer and we can’t wait to hear all about it!


KADEESH AITCHENSON, Springfield, Massachusetts
Kadeesh has always had a passion for gymnastics. In her own words, “I remember staring at the television during the Olympics and dreaming I was the one up there on the balance beam or swinging from the uneven bars. I imagined my hands covered in chalk and the feeling of soaring over the vault. I know in my heart that if I get the chance to accomplish my dream I will be good at it and maybe one day it will be me that other young girls are watching and being inspired by.” Already her dreams are coming true. After a few gymnastics lessons, Kadeesh visited her local Boys and Girls Club and talked to the kids about believing in themselves, learning everything they can and being the best they can be. We’re proud of Kadeesh and we thank her for being the inspiration she knew she could be.

ABBY JUSTEESEN, Tucson, Arizona
At the tender age of 8, Abby has been through more than some people will in a lifetime. This determined child is bright and caring and rose to the top of her class despite every obstacle. Abby felt her dreams to ride a horse and become a veterinarian were unattainable. As a Watermark Kid, she not only built her confidence (and had great fun) in horseback riding lessons, but also shadowed a vet for a day and got to experience the job behind the scenes as well as learned what it takes to become a vet. Abby is a wonderful girl and all of us at Watermark for Kids will be following her future success.

DAN HESSER
Dan Hesser never let the fact that he was born with Spina Bifida get him down. After undergoing twenty corrective surgeries, Dan can walk with the use of crutches. He dreamed of getting behind the wheel but the cost of special hand control equipment plus six hours of Adaptive Driving School was financially out of reach.  That’s where Watermark for Kids stepped in.  Dan enrolled in driving school, passed with flying colors and saved some money to fix up a car his grandpa gave him. Now that he can drive himself, Dan increased his collage course load, can work more hours to play for the cost of books and expenses AND he can head to ballgames, the gym and to his Sled Hockey League practices, where he met a great friend, Corey.  Now Dan is Corey’s Watermark Coach and Corey is one of our newest Watermark Kids!  Stay tuned to learn more about how Corey is thriving!

JONATHAN DELGADO
From the tender age of ten, Jonathan’s dream was to live in Brazil and become fluent in Portuguese. Jonathan was presented with the opportunity to study abroad in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil but the costs were not affordable to Jonathan or his Grandma who raises him. He applied to Watermark for Kids and the rest is history. In Jonathan’s words, “It was an amazing trip and I know that I will never forget it. I almost thought that I was dreaming because I’ve always wanted to go to Brazil ever since I was about 10 years old. It was unbelievable. My host family was amazing, I learned the language as well as many authentic dances.  Being around local people that had no homes or food made me appreciate everything that I have. My trip changed my life – it inspired me to go to college and study Afro-Brazilian culture. Thank you Watermark for Kids! I will remember this for the rest of my life and I will help others around the world!”

DANCERS
This inspired group of kids at The MacDuffie School shared a common goal – for their entire group to attend the National High School Dance Festival in Philadelphia despite their financial concerns, they had not been able to participate in a learning experience outside the school as a group, and they wanted to experience the conference together. And that they did. They attended as Watermark Kids and afterwards, shared their passion for dance at The Watermark at Logan Square and East Village Place – a Watermark community. As you can see, their words are as passionate as their dance moves.

“Because of the opportunity to learn dance and different styles outside of the class room I grew personally and can now teach others, facilitating their growth as well.”

“When we learn to connect through art, we can share our ideas with a wider range of people. Thanks for recognizing the passion we kids have for dance and how much this trip meant to all of us.”

“This experience helped me to gain knowledge about technique, artistry and choreography and prepared me for my future.”

“Participating in this festival meant so much to me because I never thought I could dance, but now I have self confidence and I know that if I believe in myself I’m able to do anything. I’m not the greatest dancer of all, but going to the Festival inspired me to work even harder and try my best in performing.”

“This experience broadened our understanding of dance, but this wont just be useful for us, we will pass on what we learn to others here at MacDuffie and beyond.”