Blog

Community support is a powerful thing — and contagious.

In the Fairfield and Vacaville area, in the surrounding cities, and even extending across other states, adults are signing up to support The Leaven’s efforts to create a safe haven for struggling students and families.

Real families work hard, everyday.
Real families cut corners, snip coupons,
choose carefully, and spend wisely—
all to make ends meet.

“Thank you for your honesty, Danny,” Principal Lacy affirms her third grade student. “I’m disappointed that you were disrespectful, but thank you for telling the truth. I want to keep your for recess tomorrow, and you need to show respect from now on. But I am proud of your honesty.”

As The Leaven changes the lives of children, they affect whole families and even communities at large.

Take The Groves, for example. Before, this was a community of timid, afraid neighbors, who lived isolated lives of protection and seclusion. Crime rates were escalated, and frightened families sought to stay inside their homes, rarely venturing out to get to know those who lived among them. Sidewalks were empty, streets were vacant, and a sense of community was absent.

Mary was terrified to spend a moment away from her mother’s side. She needed her within reach at all times, even during her school day and throughout the night. Other children made fun of Mary, she was held captive by fear and anxiety, and together she and her mother lived in bondage to one another. Mary couldn’t handle a moment of independence, and her mother was exhausted by the absence of freedom.

Tragically, a child was very badly injured one afternoon near The Leaven’s site. Even though the accident didn’t happen during their programming or under their supervision, the adults and the children of The Leaven were alarmed and concerned for the care of their friend, Michael.

Between track practice, piano lessons, and the demanding schoolwork of her senior year, Renae volunteers regularly at The Leaven. She began attending The Leaven when her English teacher, a former director at The Leaven, invited her to give it a try. Before long, she was committed to the afternoon routine, and it has become one of the highlights of her week.

There’s a schedule to follow at The Leaven: there is time for homework help, reading together, and finally playing. The children know the routine, they follow the rules, and they are ready—especially to earn their playtime at the end of the day.

The Leaven site at The Groves is nestled inside an apartment complex, and each of the children can travel independently from the center to their homes in a safe environment. Still, one young boy was escorted home by his Big Brother every afternoon. Even in a safe environment with minimal variables, the family carefully sought to look out for the little one all throughout the day.

Grateful.

This is the word to describe Manuel. His heart is saturated with a spirit of gratitude, and it pours out through his joyful countenance. He is thankful for his friends, for a place to come after school, for help with his homework, and especially for a snack at the end of his afternoon at The Leaven. He says thank you through his words, his smile, and even through plentiful hugs.