06/19/2025
💔 Our Hearts Are Broken 💔
Yesterday, I lost a dear friend and our program lost a bright light. Kayla Williams passed away unexpectedly yesterday at just 31 years old, and the impact she made in those short years is nothing short of incredible.
Kayla and I met three years ago when she became a liaison with California Teaching Fellows, just as I was beginning to build our afterschool programs from the ground up. Alongside Val, the three of us poured our hearts into creating something special—what is now known as Beyond the Bell.
If your child has ever been part of our program, you’ve felt Kayla’s presence. Her vision, her energy, her heart—she was at the forefront of making Beyond the Bell what it is today. Through blood, sweat, and tears, we built a team, a community, and a program that truly changes lives. And through that work, a beautiful friendship blossomed.
Even after her well-deserved promotion, Kayla continued to show up—for field trips, for the hard days, for all the things that mattered most. She was a force. She was loyal, brilliant, compassionate, and unstoppable. I loved her deeply.
Now, I’m asking our community to show up for her. Kayla leaves behind a little girl who will grow up hearing stories of her mom’s incredible heart and legacy. Please consider supporting her family through this unimaginable time. Whether you donate or simply share, every bit helps.
💗 https://gofund.me/d69c45da
We miss you, Kayla. Your legacy will live on in every student, every smile, every corner of Beyond the Bell. We’ll carry your light forward—always. I already miss you my sweet friend.
