Abrea King, second-grader at Caldwell Elementary and YLLC-Riverchase student since last fall, was asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Her answer was simple.
“[I want to be] one of those doctors that give you your medicine and does surgery on you,” she replied with enthusiasm.
As an outstanding student, she made straight A’s on her most recent progress report. In fact, Abrea was the only student at YLLC-Riverchase who did so. It is no question that her favorite subject is science, a vital part in her pursuit for studying medicine. Not only does she lead by example in academics, students who hang around her have improved in behavior according to her teacher. She is always a well-behaved and positive girl, who loves just being a kid on the playground, participating in track, or even signing American Sign Language (ASL).
“Abrea is a joy to have at the center. Her smile lights up the room,” says Erin Hall, her YLLC-Riverchase teacher.
Youth Life Learning Centers’ determination in getting inner-city children off of the streets and into the classroom stems from national and statewide statistics that many of these students will not ever see a diploma or wear a cap and gown in front of their high school class.
According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Kids Count Data Center, Davidson County had 15.8% of students drop out of high school before graduating in 2009. That same year, the national average percentage of teens ages 16 to 19 who were neither in school nor working was 9%, 13% for African-American teens. Read more.
Some say it may be too early to be talking about high school and college to a second-grader. But because we reach students at an early age, we’re able to better identify their needs, struggles and strengths for growth to lead them in a positive direction. Some of our students who have been through our programming have not only made it out of high school but are now enrolled in a local college or university.
If Abrea still wants to be a doctor in ten years, we know she can do it! No matter if she stays with this aspiration or changes her career goals along the way, we’re just here to guide her and cheer her on.
Youth Life Learning Centers 