We aim to nuture the child, heal the family, and rebuild the community. Consider these disturbing statistics in our state of Virginia:

• Every 32 minutes a baby is born into poverty
• Every 20 minutes a baby is born to an unmarried mother
• Every 49 seconds a public school student is suspended
• Every 52 minutes a child is reported abused or neglected
• Every 4 days a child or youth is murdered
• Every 6 days a child or youth commits suicide

Nationally

• The Rand Corporation confirms that youth are more vulnerable after school. Their studies show that an incredible percentage of crime takes place between the hours of 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm. (These are our general hours of operation.)
  
• 75% of mothers with children ages 6 to 17 are in the labor force and their children are vulnerable to those hours of 3-7! (Because of their vunerability, we will offer an after-school program that will keep children safe and productive during those crucial hours!)
  
• 71% of 4th graders read below the proficiency level. (There is a problem. Our program increases students proficiency in school by and average of 1.8 years for every year in the program.)
  
• 78% of reading classes have more than 20 pupils with a low teacher to student ratio. (We have certified teachers at least 1:15 and 1:1 child to adult mentor ratio.)
  
• Finally, Mentor, a guide produced by the National Mentoring Program, gives the following statistics: mentored youth are 52% less likely to skip school, (Our students LOVE coming to the center! They are not allowed to attend, however, if they are absent from school, so school attendance will be improved.), 33% less likely to commit assaults, 46% less likely to use drugs, and 27% less likely to abuse alcohol. (Our students will be involved with the after-school program and will not have the opportunity to participate in these activities).

Statistics provided by the State of Virginia ’s Children Defense Fund, Year 2000