Uniting for Change:
Leaven Kids’ Co-Workers and Community Partnerships
Introduction
Leaven Kids is a shared success story. Behind every classroom is a team of dedicated volunteers, staff, and community partners who stand united in their belief that every child, regardless of their circumstances, deserves access to a quality education. Inspired by the work of Mother Teresa, who dedicated her life to serving the marginalized and forgotten, Leaven Kids delivers after-school educational resources to children living in historically underserved neighborhoods. This work is made possible through the collective efforts of Leaven Kids’ “Co-Workers,” a term coined by Mother Teresa used to describe those who commit themselves to public service. When describing the importance of people coming together, Mother Teresa said, “I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.” This speaks at the heart of Leaven Kids’ mission. Just like Mother Teresa saw the presence of God in every person, so does Leaven Kids see the potential in every student. The transformative impact of our programs is a testament to our volunteers, staff, and corporate partners - all of whom have an important role to play in our success.
The Power of Volunteers
Each individual brings a unique story and skill set yet, together, we share a common goal - to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Take Connie for example, who discovered a newfound sense of purpose when volunteering with Leaven Kids. Before joining the program, Connie’s world was turned upside-down when she suffered a massive stroke. Tests revealed serious brain damage, which led to partial memory and vision loss. Slowly her brain began to heal, but she still felt alone and didn’t know how to reach out for help. That is when her close friend and Leaven Kids Site Director, Viki Dawson, suggested that Connie volunteer with Leaven Kids. “This was the summer program, so it was relaxed and wouldn’t be so difficult for me to learn,” Connie said. “I could just come and help out.” Connie was talented with crafts, so that’s where she started. Week after week Connie returned to help students with new projects and activities. “Those kids accepted me just the way I was,” Connie said. “They didn’t care if I couldn’t see on the right-hand side. They didn’t care if I couldn’t remember the correct word to use.” Volunteers like Connie are the heart and soul of Leaven Kids. By simply showing up and giving what one can, anyone can change a child’s life. This experience can be just as transformative for our volunteers as it is for our students. “I think this has been one of the most rewarding times of my life,” Connie added. “I have learned to be humble and accept that these kids don’t care what we do for a living, how smart we are, if we went to college or not. They just want us to pay attention to them and help them figure out life.” It is people like Connie who demonstrate the power of community partnerships when driving collaborative initiatives.
Building Alliances for a Better Future
At Leaven Kids, we understand that true progress requires collaboration beyond the classroom, which is why we actively seek out community partnerships with local businesses, civic leaders, and government agencies. The power of such collaboration can be found in our long-time partner, Kaiser Permanente. “At Kaiser Permanente, we believe that every child should have equitable access to a high-quality education,” said Dr. Chris Walker, Kaiser Permanente Physician in Chief, Napa Solano Area. “By partnering with organizations like Leaven Kids, we are putting these values at the forefront of our work, helping to ensure that children living in historically underserved communities are not left behind due to a lack of educational resources or opportunity. We are proud to invest in local partnerships to promote, develop, and advance the educational development of our youth.” By providing critically-needed funding and organizing career-broadening experiences for our students, Kaiser has expanded our reach, enhanced the quality of our programming, and provided our students with an early introduction to STEM-related fields.
Alongside our corporate partners, local civic leaders have been foundational to Leaven Kids’ success. One such example can be found in the work of the late Mayor Harry Price, who was a founding member and vocal advocate of the Leaven Kids mission. Always a teacher by heart, Mayor Price could see the potential in every young student. One of his favorite ways to engage children was to take his City of Fairfield pin and place it gently on the shirt or collar of a child, pronouncing them "Mayor for the Day!" Taking them under his wing, he always had a special lesson to share about the qualities that make a good Mayor: patience, empathy, critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and respect for others. Through these special one-on-one lessons, he wasn't just showing them how to be a good Mayor, he was teaching them how to be good people. Mayor Price was also instrumental to Leaven Kids’ national expansion, helping to establish strong working relationships with local stakeholders and providing trusted counsel to Leaven Kids’ leadership team. These partnerships would prove invaluable when realizing Leaven Kids’ vision of establishing our first Texas-based learning center and delivering critically needed academic programming to local students in need. Such collaborative efforts will continue to serve as the cornerstone for our program development and community outreach.
Becoming a Leaven Kids Co-Worker
There are countless ways for individuals and organizations to get involved with Leaven Kids. We invite members of the public to become volunteers at any of our 22 learning centers across California and Texas. Here, volunteers can provide critically-needed tutoring and mentorship to children struggling to succeed in the classroom. Our team will provide the training, guidance, and resources needed - no prior experience is required. In addition, volunteers can support Leaven Kids’ community engagement events such as our golf tournament, gala, or public speaking series. Whether you are a student, working professional, or retiree, your time and talents can make a difference. Ready to join our team? Submit your application here or learn more by visiting leavenkids.org/volunteer. If you represent a business or organization committed to corporate social responsibility, we invite you to explore partnership opportunities with Leaven Kids by emailing hello@leavenkids.org.
Impact and Transformation
Such partnerships can transform entire communities. Take, for example, Officer Daniel Ramirez’s participation in the Cadet Immersion Program, an initiative spearheaded by the San Antonio Police Department. This innovative program pairs police cadets with community stakeholders throughout their academy training. Last May, Leaven Kids was selected as a program partner and has hosted cohorts of cadets who participate in various educational and enrichment activities with the students. The goal of the program is to facilitate personal connections between police cadets and the residents they will one day serve. This impactful collaboration has yielded results both inside the classroom and beyond. “I’ve seen a change in the area itself,” Officer Ramirez said. “Being involved in the community, playing games with kids, has really lightened the mood of the whole area and eased tensions that may have existed. Leaven Kids has been a huge part of the difference.” This mirrors the transformation seen at other learning center locations across the United States. In fact, Leaven Kids has reported a 21% average increase in tenant occupancy in rental complexes that house a learning center and a 53% average decrease in crime within the surrounding neighborhoods (locations vary). It is through transformative community projects like these that Leaven Kids can amplify its impact and deliver real results for the neighborhoods it serves.
Conclusion
Every volunteer, staff member, and community partner plays a vital role in our mission to provide after-school resources to children living in historically underserved neighborhoods. It is volunteers like Connie who breathe life into our programs, giving our students the love and patience they need to find success in the classroom. It is through alliances with corporate partners like Kaiser Permanente and the steadfast support of civic leaders such as the late Mayor Harry Price that Leaven Kids can expand our reach, enrich our programs, and deliver positive outcomes to communities across the United States. Our mission of educational equity and community development is ongoing. Yet, we remain committed to uniting individuals and organizations around a shared vision for the future; a future where every child, regardless of their circumstances, has access to a quality education. Mother Teresa once said, "I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples." Our volunteers, staff, and partners are casting stones every day, creating ripples of positive change that resonate far beyond the walls of our classrooms. Will you join us?
