Leaven Kids

The Leaven provides mentoring and tutoring services for at-risk children free of charge. They are responsible and frugal with the donations they receive and have tremendous support from the communities they serve. The children the work with do better in school and neighborhoods where the centers are located become better places to live. They focus on four primary areas.

1. Homework assistance, tutoring, and skills building;
2. Reading enrichment;
3. Nutrition and physical activity that promote health and reduce childhood obesity; and
4. Programs to strengthen entire communities.


From a purely statistical viewpoint they do GREAT work!

Percentage of donations that are used directly in programs for at-risk children: 79%

Here's data from teachers and the police department for just one of The Leaven's locations:
100% of Leaven students showed improvement in reading and reading comprehension.
88% show improvement in math skills.
81% show improvement in class participation.

Property crime decreased 37% over a 5-year span
Violent crime decreased by 82%!

The Leaven has a significant impact. I've seen it in person at the centers and the stats back up my impressions. Here's the issue they're having, though: For each location they open they get requests for many more for which they do not have immediate funds available. It takes $30,000 to open a center and $20,000 a year to operate. But, you can help one child by donating as little as $25/month. Check out The Leaven Program at www.myleaven.com