Serenity is a bundle of energy. She’ll do cartwheels and round-offs, flash a bright smile, and switch focus from one thing to the next in a heartbeat.

What she’s less likely to do is sit down to read. For a long time, reading felt like an obstacle standing between her and the things she loved. "It was hard for me to do my reading," Serenity explains. "Sometimes I had to stay in from recess to do extra work."

Instead of joining her friends at play, Serenity spent recess indoors, trying to catch up on the lessons she found difficult. While other kids breezed through their assignments, reading was a challenge for Serenity.

"I could see she was having a harder time than the other kids in her class," recalls Serenity’s mom, Kiara. "She felt left out, and it was tough on her. That's when her teacher recommended Urban Ventures, saying they could help her catch up and build her skills."

A Tailored Solution

Urban Ventures' Reading Plus program is designed specifically for students like Serenity. By providing intensive, one-on-one intervention, the program helps young readers develop their skills in a focused and supportive environment. Urban Ventures collaborates with teachers to identify the students who need extra help and works with them during the school day. For many families, similar interventions would cost $10,000 to $20,000 a year—well out of reach for most families. 

When Serenity began working with Urban Ventures, everything started to shift. Rather than sitting in class, feeling like she was falling further behind, she received personalized support and individual attention. Miss Andrena, Serenity’s most recent instructor, quickly became a favorite. "Miss Andrena gets me," Serenity says with a smile. "She knows what I need to do well."

Andrena’s approach—letting Serenity move while learning and incorporating activities that kept her engaged—made all the difference. "We had to find what worked for her," Andrena explains. "If doing six flips before reading helped her focus, that’s what we did. And it worked—she started retaining information and making real progress."

When asked why having a trusted adult matters, Serenity says, “If you don’t have someone who understands you, they can’t figure out how to help.”

Uncovering Hidden Challenges

As Serenity’s mom, teachers, and Urban Ventures staff worked together, they suspected there might be more contributing to her struggles. Thanks to a partnership with The Reading Center, Serenity underwent specialized testing.

“I hated that testing,” Serenity admits, thinking back on the eight-hour process. But it brought clarity. There were additional hurdles in her way. Discovering the underlying reasons for her challenges was a relief—it opened up a clearer path forward. 

Kiara noticed the changes in Serenity as "little nuggets of improvement," especially after they began vision therapy. "She went from struggling to complete tasks to being able to keep up with her classmates. I could see her confidence growing, and that made all the difference."

A Family Transformed

Serenity’s hard work, paired with Kiara’s unwavering commitment, has produced remarkable results. And it’s not just Serenity who has benefited—the whole family has become part of the Urban Ventures community. 

“Urban Ventures holds me down,” Kiara shares. “They’ve supported us in so many ways—through education programs, community events, everything. I don’t know where we’d be without them.”

Serenity’s younger sibling is now enrolled in Urban Ventures' Cornwell Early Learning Center, and Serenity herself participates in the music program. The family is deeply involved in many of the community’s activities. Last summer, Kiara became an “honorary bus driver,” driving neighborhood kids to Urban Ventures’ programs every day.

“I don’t think people realize how hard y’all go for these kids,” Kiara says. “This organization has a spirit of giving over it and it spills out form everyone who works here.” Without UV, Kiara says, “It would have been a path of thistles and thorns. It’s still difficult, but I know I can get support from Urban Ventures.” 

New Challenges, New Confidence

With that support, Serenity has begun to thrive. What once seemed like an insurmountable obstacle—reading—has become something she’s not only capable of but confident in. 

This year, during Black History Month, Serenity entered a talent show with a spoken word piece she wrote herself. "Not only did she write it, but she had the confidence to read and perform it in front of an audience," Kiara proudly shares. "I was amazed. She’s grown so much, not just in her reading but as a person."

Serenity was proud too—her performance earned her third place in the competition. And these days, she gets to spend far more recesses out on the playground with her friends.

Serenity’s story is one of many at Urban Ventures, where hardworking families overcome extraordinary challenges with the right support. Her journey is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when every child has access to the resources they need. 

With continued generosity from supporters, Urban Ventures can provide more tailored support, foster a greater sense of belonging, and empower even more students like Serenity. Together, it’s possible to replace cycles of struggle with cycles of success, opening doors to brighter futures. DONATE TODAY