Change. For Good.

Yannelly’s story

When I first came to The Ada Jenkins Center, I was scared. I needed help. It was winter, and our family had run out of food and couldn’t pay the rent – and I didn’t speak much English.

A friend told me to try Ada Jenkins, which was near our apartment in Davidson. I stopped in, and they asked what I needed. Crisis Assistance Ministry helped with our rent and utilities, Loaves & Fishes gave us food, and Lydia’s Loft gave us clothes.

“What do I need to do?” I asked. “Nothing,” they said. I was surprised.

Then they asked a strange question: “Do you want a present?” It was near Christmas, and I had nothing for my three boys.

A few days later, I got home from work to find presents surrounding our Christmas tree – too many! My friend let in the Ada Jenkins’ staff while we were away. I was so thankful, I cried.

That was a while ago, and a lot has changed. The biggest: I’m not scared anymore, because I know there are people in this community who care enough to help others.

My husband, Israel, and I came to the Lake Norman area together 10 years ago from Mexico in search of work. We had nothing, but we had dreams. We’re proud of our heritage, but we’re also proud to call this our home – life is better here.

We both work in a restaurant – I’m a cook on weekends and mornings, 25 hours a week, so I can be home when the boys get out of school. But when my youngest two, Erik and Daniel, hit 4th and 2nd grade, their homework was too hard for me to give the help they needed. I didn’t want my limited English to hold them back.

So I returned to Ada Jenkins, where my sons now get tutoring in the LEARN Works program. They’ve also made friends there, and they enjoy the playground when their homework is done.

I’m trying to keep up with my boys – I never imagined they’d be able to speak English so well! – so I now take English classes through Ada Jenkins’ partnership with the YMCA. I have also taken computer classes while Jose, Erik and Daniel are in the after-school program.

I don’t know how to thank these wonderful people, so I bring the teachers flowers when I can. Eventually, I want to volunteer at Ada Jenkins – there are so many more people like me who need help.

My husband and I still have dreams, but they have changed now that we’ve found a home. Now we dream of sending our sons to college so they can get jobs – so they can grow up to be good people who help others, just like the people here at Ada Jenkins.

The Ada Jenkins Center is a United Way partner agency that fosters strong collaboration between programs funded by United Way donors and programs funded by other sources.