Home »
Winter 2024
Newsletter
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!
By the Numbers
Our most recent program year ended June 30. Between July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024:
- 169 households received critical financial assistance totaling more than $340,000.
- 2,232 people received groceries through our Nourish Up food pantry.
- 442 clients entered our Economic Mobility program, receiving tenancy education, connections with area housing, budget assistance, employment and training resources, and more.
- 56 people experiencing homelessness were connected with critical services.
- 59 students participated in our LEARN Works afterschool academic program and/or Camp LEARN Works summer program, and received backpacks full of donated school supplies.
- 575 volunteers contributed 8,664 hours to help tutor our students, beautify the campus, make food deliveries, and so much more.
During the Spring 2024 tax season, our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program helped 561 neighbors file 489 Federal and 458 North Carolina tax returns, with an average refund amount of $951–and saving them a combined $131,220 in tax preparation fees.