What happens when a young girl slips through the cracks at school? Unable to read or write near her grade level, Tanya* was struggling to follow in the steps of her classmates and friends. All the odds were against her; unstable environmental influences, poor behavioral patterns and little to no confidence in herself. Tanya was on the path of destruction, both academically and personally. Attending the United Community Ministries Creekside Community Center afterschool was when her academic troubles were noticed by others. Two older girls at Creekside took on the role of mentor to Tanya. With just a little support, encouragement and acknowledgement, Tanya began to show everyone her resilience to failure. Persevering through her internal and external struggles, Tanya continued her persistence of academic achievement by accepting help from others to improve her reading and writing skills. The positive changes in Tanya’s academic standing were dramatic and immediate; however her exuding self confidence and healthy behavior are the long term changes members of Creekside Community Center see everyday.
