Empowering Students. Supporting Families. Building Futures.
LEARN Works
Linking Everyone to Achievement Resources Now Works
Ada Jenkins Center offers educational opportunities for youth.
Our LEARN Works Programs
LEARN Works Afterschool Academic & Enrichment Program
For over 25 years, LEARN Works has been the only free afterschool academic program in northern Mecklenburg County, dedicated to helping elementary students catch up in reading and thrive. This program is designed for students who are 1-2 grade levels behind in reading, providing a bridge to academic achievement from mid-September to mid-May.
Here’s what we offer:
- Reading support.
- Homework start assistance.
- Enrichment activities, including career exploration, financial literacy, and social-emotional learning.
- Parent education to support family involvement in student achievement.
- Access to other Ada Jenkins Center resources.
Program Details:
- Grade levels: K-5 served
- Schedule: Monday–Friday, daily attendance required.
- Transportation: Partner school buses bring students to the program.
- Locations:
- Ada Jenkins Center, Davidson, NC
- David B. Waymer Recreation & Senior Center, Huntersville, NC
- Dismissal: Parents are responsible for pick-up at dismissal time.
Parent Engagement Matters!
Parents play a critical role in student progress. Participation in at least two parent engagement events during the program year is required.
LEARN Works After School Care Program
LEARN Works partners with families, schools, and volunteers to support the academic progress of our students and to advance family engagement. We also provide enrichment activities that many families could not otherwise afford.
Affordable. Enriching. Convenient.
Looking for quality afterschool care for your elementary student? At our LEARN Works After School Care Program students enjoy a safe, enriching environment filled with opportunities to grow—all for just $50/week!
Here’s what you can expect:
- Grade levels: K-5 served
- Schedule: Monday–Friday, with daily attendance required.
- Transportation: Partner school buses bring students to the program.
- Parent pick-up at dismissal ensures a smooth end to each day.
- Location: This program is exclusively offered at the Ada Jenkins Center in Davidson, NC
Students in this program also participate in engaging enrichment activities such as:
- Career exploration
- Financial literacy
- Social-emotional learning
Camp LEARN Works
Summer Fun with a Purpose!
Make summer meaningful for your student! Camp LEARN Works is a 3-week summer camp designed to help students refresh and strengthen their skills in a fun, engaging way before the new school year begins.
Camp Details:
- Grade levels: 1st-5th
- When: Monday–Friday, July 28–August 15
- Time: 8:00 AM–3:00 PM
- Where: Ada Jenkins Center, Davidson, NC
- Cost: Free! Includes breakfast, lunch, and snacks daily
What makes Camp LEARN Works special?
- A focus on refreshing reading skills.
- Fun enrichment activities to keep kids motivated and engaged.
- Parent involvement: Families must participate in two parent engagement events during camp.
- Back-to-School Boost: Each camper will receive a bookbag and school supplies on the final day of camp.
If you are interested in your student(s) participating in our LEARN Works Programs, complete our LEARN Works Interest Intake Form.
2023-2024 Impact
students enrolled
students improved in reading (students with comparative internal data)
families met their parent engagement requirement
volunteers (individuals and groups) served over 2,607 hours
Ryan’s story – with more chapters to be written!
It is impossible for any one of us to know exactly what our future holds. While many may have dreams regarding the years to come, some only see barriers. This can cause loss of hope and the assumption that there are some things just “not in the cards.” This was an experience familiar to Ryan Leguna-Rivera.
Due to the many challenges that he faced as an elementary and middle school student- some self-induced, Ryan never imagined himself as a college student or even succeeding in any classroom setting. His journey as a LEARN Works Program student began in 3rd grade. Despite experiencing moments of growth as a student and the opportunity to explore other interests, Ryan’s time at the Ada Jenkins Center was not without challenges. Ultimately, his time in LEARN Works ended by being dismissed from the program due to behavior.
Ryan states, “I struggled in school and got in a lot of trouble. But the environment of support from the Ada Jenkins Center staff and tutors provided enough support to help any student- even one like me. Even though I was let go, I was given the tools to succeed.”
And succeed, he has! Despite those early troubles, Ryan eventually went to Community College and has since transferred to UNCC. He admits, “I never thought college was an option for me and wasn’t even really something I thought I wanted to do.”
While in middle school, Ryan was given the opportunity to participate in a mountain bike race at Fisher Farm in Davidson, NC. He was impacted by the overwhelming support of his family, other LEARN Works students and the community at-large as they gathered at the event to cheer him on. “AJC is really good at giving new opportunities to kids,” he says.
Ryan was also given the opportunity to explore another interest by joining a cooking club through LEARN Works- where he learned skills and valuable information that he was able to recall during his time working in a kitchen with his first job!
When something becomes a possibility, and then a reality, it often opens the imagination to what else could be possible. Ryan’s experience in LEARN Works showed him that not only were there plenty of opportunities to explore, but also that he was very capable of succeeding at the things he pursued. A lesson for us all as we enter a new year!
What do our instructors say?!
What do our volunteers say?!
Education Volunteers
In the News
Riya is off to Graduate School in the Fall. Congratulations, we will miss you!