Meet Gabrielle “Ms. Gabby” Reyes

After two years at Freedom City, Site Coordinator Gabrielle Reyes (known to students as Ms. Gabby) has learned that some of the most meaningful moments happen outside of a lesson or planned activity. Sometimes they happen while walking down the hall, sharing a laugh during a game, or receiving an unexpected hug from a student.

As Site Coordinator, Gabby gets to support students in different ways, from teaching in the classroom and overseeing programs to joining in on dance parties, crafts, and games. But what she enjoys most is being part of each child's growth beyond the classroom.

“It warms my heart when I'm walking throughout the buildings and classrooms, and I receive hellos, hugs, and stories,” she shared. “That means a lot to me to be recognized by a child genuinely.”

One student, in particular, reminded her just how much that presence matters. Their relationship didn't start out easily, but over time, they built a positive connection. Each week, the student looked forward to seeing her and made sure she knew when she'd missed their time together.

That experience stayed with Gabby. It showed her that students aren't just looking for help with their work. They also want to know that someone cares about them, will show up for them, and is happy to see them.

And that's a big part of what makes her work at Freedom City so meaningful.

A Few Fun Facts About Ms. Gabby

Outside of Freedom City, Gabby loves spending time with family, traveling, being near the ocean, and exploring foods and coffee from different cultures. She also enjoys hosting wellness events and playing her hand-pan drum.

Here are a few things you might not know about her:

• She's a Water Safety Ambassador for the American Red Cross.

• She has a black cat named Onyx.

• She traveled to Peru for a two-week study program and visited Machu Picchu.

• She ran an urban farm business for three years, selling microgreens, herbs, and edible flowers.

  
  

If she could share a meal with anyone, past or present, she'd choose her grandmother. She misses her dearly and would love to see her smile, share stories about how life has changed, and have the chance to grow older together.

Gabby's story is a reminder that the relationships we build with students matter. Sometimes, the greatest impact comes from being there consistently and letting a child know they're seen, valued, and cared for.