I am honored to be a member of the Growing Side by Side board where I can share my passion, skills, and nonprofit experience with this amazing foundation as it continues to grow and evolve. Providing connection, networking opportunities, and support for this inspiring and resilient community is a mission I stand behind and am committed to helping.

Jessica Santos is the Communications Manager at The Painted Turtle, where she is dedicated to providing children with serious medical conditions and their families with life-changing camp experiences.

Jessica has worked for the family of SeriousFun camps founded by Paul Newman for almost two decades. She believes camp has the power to not only transform the lives of the children and families but the people who serve them as well.
 
Jessica’s passion for working with children with special needs began at the University of Florida where she received her degree in theatre, dance, and communications. Using her skills as an artist Jessica started a dance company for children who are hearing impaired, volunteered with a variety of populations through the “Arts in Medicine” program at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Fl and eventually found a career with her first SeriousFun camp, Camp Boggy Creek in Eustis, Florida.

Jessica was the first Assistant Camp Director at The Painted Turtle and the creator of the camps hospital outreach program, Outpost.
 
She currently resides on the communications team where her background in programming, graphic design, website management, and video production allows her to share hundreds of camper and family stories that speak to the power of camp.
Jessica attests that working with children with special needs is a gift. She has learned so much about life, courage, and perseverance from the children and families she has had the privilege of serving.

Jessica Santos
Director