Before Yesslyn came to Leake & Watts, she was seriously behind in school, struggling with low self-esteem and lack of self-confidence. She could have been another statistic. Instead, she is thriving.

“When I came to Leake & Watts, I was a shy person and nervous. A bully was attacking me at my old school and I didn’t have any friends. I cried a lot. I wasn’t a good reader and I kept forgetting stuff. I didn’t feel smart,” she recalls.

Yesslyn could have been another statistic. Instead, she is thriving.

Today, with the help of her Biondi School teacher — and her classmates — Yesslyn is on her way to success. She is at grade level in both math and reading. When she first went into her classroom at Biondi, she saw other students focused on working and learning. They inspired Yesslyn. She saw the difference their focus was making in their lives. And she learned that there is hope. Her teacher, Mr. Jackson, had come from a challenging background as well and showed her that challenges can be overcome.

“Mr. Jackson helped me a lot. He helped me to believe in myself. He sees great things for me in the future and believes in me. Now I feel like I am a great person. I’m beautiful.”