About The Leaven

If The Leaven is new to you, please let us tell you a few important things about our organization. Five years ago, the City of Fairfield, the Fairfield-Suisun School District, and the Parkway Community Church were firsthand witnesses to the huge decline in school performance, an increase in juvenile crime, and the potential for children to become involved in gangs in disadvantaged areas of Fairfield. In a collaborative effort, they formed The Leaven: an avenue for the community at-large to volunteer their time to mentor and tutor at-risk children living within these communities.

The results were immediate and truly exceptional. Teachers noticed behavioral improvements and better attention to the students’ work, and local law enforcement reported reductions in juvenile delinquency. More importantly, the children clearly wanted to be involved. Their teachers watched their excitement grow as the school day ended, and our volunteers welcomed them with open arms as they ran through the tutoring center doors. The adults unanimously agreed: these children needed to be here.

Years later, the results continue to be remarkable. In fact, children who have consistently attended daily programming at our tutoring centers exhibit significant improvements in academic achievement, classroom performance, and behavior at home. School administrators have seen reductions in truancies and absenteeism, and local law enforcement agencies have reported decreased crime in The Leaven’s neighborhoods.