Ridgecrest

Alfredo Coronado finds nothing more rewarding than providing respite care to families with individuals who have special needs. He sees firsthand the world of difference his job makes, to a family that sometimes just needs a little support to be able to do the daily things others often take for granted.

Alfredo earned his Bachelor of Health Sciences with a minor in communication studies in 2011 and began his career in behavioral intervention in 2013. Alfredo has settled in the city of Ridgecrest where he is program coordinator and department manager for respite care.

Alfredo was an accomplished cross-country runner, competed at the Division I level,
and set school records. He used to think he’d run professionally until he found respite care to be so meaningful. Alfredo now runs for exercise and his physical health.

Kayleigh Bray is passionate about overcoming obstacles in her work with people with developmental disabilities, and is reminded constantly of the magnitude of the job she does. She says, “Progress may be quick, or slow, but watching children grow in their abilities and confidence changes you and the way you interact with your world outside of work.” Kayleigh watches the kids grow, along with their families, in empathy, compassion, and magnanimity.

After receiving her bachelor’s degree, Kayleigh decided to further her education and enrolled in a master’s program in Integrative and Functional Nutrition. She’s interested in the potential nutritional deficiencies in the populations she works with, and how her education and work experience intersect.

Kayleigh taught herself to knit so she could donate knit squares to Warm Up America, a charity that makes blankets for homeless shelters and hospital nurseries.