Austin Sunshine Camps

Margaret Marucci, Program Director:

I have been working with Sunshine Camp since I was in college in 1987. After a few years I graduated and came to live in Austin. I knew that I wanted to work full-time with the camps because I felt complete while working with the kids. As I got more involved in the year round aspect of ASC programs I fell in love with the relationships and impact we can have on the lives of the kids we work with. I still very much enjoy the variety of work and diversity of people with whom I come in contact with. I am able to continue growing and learning from the kids as well as teach them important life lessons and see them develop into wonderful productive members of society.

Margaret has a BA in Human Science with a teaching certificate from Stephen F. Austin State University.

Cory Glasgow, Sunrise Leadership Manager:

I wanted the opportunity to work with children that are faced with the same things I was faced with as a child. What I found is that all children experience the same obstacles in life and who stands with them when they are confronted with these obstacles is what truly matters. I want to be there in the worst of times and certainly in the best of times. This job affords me that chance. I have been working with the camps since summer of 2003. My hair was shorter and my belly smaller.

Cory graduated from Texas State University with a BA in Elementary Education and certification to teach K-8.

Constance Hill, Sunrise Challenge Manager:

As a kid I watched my older brothers and sister go off to camp every year. I had to wait seven years for my turn and finally the opportunity arrived! I was hooked from the beginning and became a summer regular. From there, I entered the Leadership program and worked as a Junior Counselor. After graduating high school, I again was filled with excitement about becoming a counselor. I have always had a passion for kids and felt obligated to give back to our community, therfore; I never left. Eventually I became Camp Director, and two years following I was appointed to the position of Sunrise Challenge Manager. So chances are, if you're stopping by the Sunshine Camps you're bound to see me smiling from ear to ear!

Constance currently attends Austin Community College on a Sunrise Scholarship. She is pursuing a BA in education.

Jennifer Repass, Executive Director:

I grew up in a small rice farming town outside of Houston. There were definitely differences in household income levels but it seemed everyone was treated equally in Katy, Texas. It was not until I came to the University of Texas to study psychology and marketing that I began to notice the extreme differences between the wealthy and the poor. I realized early on I wanted to do something! I wanted to help the kids help themselves by facilitating dreams through my new position at Austin YMBL Sunshine Camps. I wanted to help bridge the gap between socioeconomic status and educational success. In the beginning I remember meeting the Leadership Student’s and asking them what they wanted to do with their lives. All of the kids had big dreams and I was so impressed with the confidence each one portrayed and I knew I was in the right place.

I have been with ASC going on five years and I want to do it all. I want to help give the kids every opportunity so they can dream big and accomplish their goals. I want to help create the skill-sets our kids need to ensure success by offering scholastic resources, upgraded facilities and ground-breaking programs. I would also like to work more with other non-profits and companies to share services so we can touch more kid's lives and increase our overall community impact.

Michelle Porst, Development Manager:

I have always believed that non profits do societies most important work.  And that committing myself to the work of non profits is how I will make my difference in this world.  Children aren’t given a choice before they begin life.  Therefore, it feels like our social responsibility to make sure that all children have an opportunity to be the best that they can be.  I look forward to working with Austin Sunshine Camps to show kids that dreams can become a reality.  I’m honored to be a part of this team!

Michelle graduated from the Univeristy of Texas with a B.s in Public Relations.  Before coming to Austin Sunshine Camps she worked with the Lance Armstrong Foundation and CASA of Travis County.

 Remi Abioye, Fundraising Administrator:

Growing up in Detroit I have seen the consequences of poverty and under education.  I have also seen and experienced the benefits of having organizations similar to Austin YMBL Sunshine Camps (ASC), encouraging and working with young people, helping them to recognize their potential and achieve their dreams.  Before joining the ASC staff, I worked and volunteered for the non-profit organization Students of the World (SOW), where I was able to travel and produce media, creating awareness for other non-profits doing great work abroad.  I have traveled to Cambodia and India working with organizations centered on education and rural development.  I am honored to join the ASC team and looking forward to making positive contributions to the organization and the lives of the young people we serve.

Remi graduated from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, with a BA in Sociology.