Capital Region Cares Capital Region Cares 2017-2018 | Seite 90

Leaven
The
T
he Leaven is best known as
a tutoring and mentoring
program, but it also
benefits residents living in at-risk
neighborhoods through multiple
programs. Launched in 2009, The
Leaven partners with businesses,
police and fire departments, local
government, school administrators and
teachers, church groups, civic clubs,
and concerned neighbors to revitalize
struggling communities.
The program addresses the high
school dropout rate by working
with elementary school students to
strengthen the educational foundation
that can lead to academic success.
“We provide the support necessary
to get children on track academically,
as well as engaged in society,” explains
Mark Lillis, Executive Director. “We
help with homework, reading ability,
health and nutrition education and
supplemental summer programs such
90
CAPITAL REGION CARES 2017 | comstocksmag.com
AFTER-SCHOOL CENTERS
THAT REVITALIZE
NEIGHBORHOODS
as partnering with financial institutions
for financial literacy education.”
“We arrange for college tours
to inspire students from at-risk
environments to look to the future
and set goals,” says Lillis. “We also
introduce them to fire and police
officers to help build trust and rapport
that we hope will last a lifetime.”
Headquartered in Fairfield,
The Leaven has 16 learning centers
throughout Solano, Napa and San
Bernardino counties with 20 to 40
students per location. The Leaven
system serves about 350 students on
any given day, with assistance from 150
volunteers.
With the support of the entire
community, The Leaven provides hope
and proven success through early
education intervention — and inspires
neighborhoods to rise up and take on
their challenges together. And it works
– statistics from neighborhoods with
MYLEAVEN.COM
a Leaven learning center show lower
crime rates and higher school scores.
So what’s next? “We’re interested
in expanding to Sacramento. We can
launch a learning center for an initial
$30,000 investment, and $20,000
to operate it yearly thereafter. We
welcome business partners to help
bring about real ch ange, stability and
opportunity in at-risk neighborhoods,”
concludes Lillis.
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