Ten-year-old Joahmaad was an average student prior to the pandemic. When in-person classes resumed, he had fallen behind his classmates, especially in reading. When it was time to read aloud in class, the normally well-mannered student would become disruptive. His teacher felt he was doing it to avoid his turn to read because he was afraid someone would make fun of him.
In December of 2023, Joahmaad moved to Daffodil Apartments with his mother and older brother. Both boys were enrolled in the community’s Learning Center Afterschool Program.
“I started to like the stories they gave us,” said Joahmaad. “We learned about history and stuff. I think that’s what helped me.”
Joahmaad said it also helped that his friends in the Learning Center didn’t judge him for his reading, and helped him sound out the tough words. Now, when Joahmaad’s classmates read to each other in school or the Learning Center, he always wants to go first!
Joahmaad’s mother, Ryan, says he now reads all the time at home as it feeds his curiosity. His grades improved to A’s and B’s, and he even started winning academic awards. Joahmaad’s behavior in school improved also. When asked what she thinks led to the turnaround, Ryan chalks it up to the homework help he receives at the Learning Center, the one-on-one attention from staff and the way the staff makes it fun to learn. She says it’s all Joahmaad talks about when he comes home.
“He’s like…this is what we made. This is what she taught us. We’re gardening,” said Ryan. “He had me gardening. We put
seeds in the backyard. Moving to Daffodil was a really great experience. The Learning Center just added to it.”
Click on the video below to learn more about Joahmaad’s success story.
There are many students like Joahmaad who are performing better in school since they enrolled in our Learning Centers. Our students score an average GPA in school of 3.67!
You can help us set the students up for more success in the upcoming school year by giving to the Foundation Communities Back to School Drive. Your donations will help us purchase supplies, technology and meals for our 16 on-site Learning Centers. You can even set up a fundraising team so you and your friends can support the students. Click HERE to get involved.
