It’s as simple as pineapple.

Zaire Royster, an incoming sophomore at W.E.B. DuBois Academy, reminisced about his time as an elementary student at the Family Success Center (FSC), located at 1015 S Preston St, Louisville, KY 40203, USA.

“They would have us go to the gym when we got there to decompress from school. They would feed us so we wouldn’t be hungry all day. They would give us fresh fruit, and that’s where I learned about pineapple. It was the first time I had it, which was pretty nice,” Royster said.

While attending after-school and summer programming, Royster received help with homework, learned about geography and wrestling, improved in math, and was taught conflict resolution with peers.

“Those were some of the best years and highlights after school,” Royster added.

Over the years, Royster was one of four siblings whom his mother, Sharita Stephenson, got involved at the FSC.

“It took a lot of the burden off me because a lot of the times I didn’t have that extra time,” said Stephenson, a single parent. “It was very helpful for our routine. They helped them with their homework. They helped them academically.

They were able to catch the school bus when I had to work … They were able to make friends. It was a structured and positive environment. They learned a lot.”

Investing in the Next Generation

This family is one of hundreds of households that the FSC staff, its partners, and volunteers have invested in over the last 10 years. As we celebrate the FSC’s launch in Sept. 2014, this program has provided year-round educational and social development opportunities to the next generation. This includes after-school and summer programming to elementary and middle school students.

In October 1992, the FSC was originally built and dedicated as a new Thrift Store & Warehouse Operations. In 2014, the FSC project was pursued because of an increase in on-campus housing of 54 permanent affordable housing units, which brought additional families.

Jamico Morris, who has worked with youth for 40 years, shares his experience working at SVDP for two summers.

“Belonging is important because sometimes they can feel like they’re outcasts when they’re amongst their peers. Once the other kids find out what they’re going through, they don’t want to bother with them. It’s hard for them to trust others and gain friends. The FSC gave them a sense of belonging because no one was judged there.”

Roughly one-third of the students served are McKinney-Vento eligible. This means they are considered homeless due to a lack of having a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.

“They wouldn’t worry about what was going on at home. Once they came to the FSC, all of that was forgotten,” he added.

Deloris Fenwick, who worked at the FSC, would make flash cards with words and definitions for elementary students. Braden Baker, a student at Saint Xavier High School, had “fun volunteering and chasing the students outside” during summer programming.

Here’s what a few students had to say:

• Laeya is a fourth grader who enjoys playing in the gym and outside, as well as eating lunch.
• A fifth grader, Dakahri likes to play in the gym and the enrichments. He enjoyed building
  plastic swords with pool noodles.
• Zayden, a sixth grader, likes meeting new people and is thankful for help with math.

The FSC programming strives to improve students grades for the main school subjects. Programs include tutoring, athletic programs, and enrichment workshops such as art classes, interpersonal communication, robotics, and cooking classes.

What Partners are saying about us

“Congratulations to St. Vincent de Paul Louisville’s Family Success Center on its 10th anniversary. JCPS is grateful for our partnership with the FSC, which is providing after-school and summer education and enrichment opportunities to hundreds of students who need and value that support.”
—Dr. Marty Pollio, JCPS Superintendent

“When children receive proper nourishment, the possibilities for their futures are boundless. We are tremendously appreciative of our partners like SVDP for their efforts in addressing barriers to food
insecurity and so much more.”
—Vincent James, CEO at Dare to Care

“The FSC is a perfect setting for educational and enrichment programs not only for children on their campus, but for youth in the surrounding neighborhoods. We are proud to partner with SVDP to
provide quality summer engagements and intensive reading tutoring after school.”
—Marland Cole, Executive Director at Evolve502

About the Family Success Center

The Family Success Center opened in September of 2014 to provide educational and social development opportunities for at-risk children who have experienced extreme poverty and homelessness. A $1.4 million project, the FSC serves the children who live on St. Vincent de Paul Louisville’s campus (currently about 60 children) as well as youths in the surrounding neighborhoods of Smoketown and Shelby Park. The FSC provides year-round programming.

The two-story facility features work rooms such as an art and music room, a homework room equipped with laptop computers, a gym and a specially equipped kitchen for teaching culinary skills. Our partners include Dare to Care, which provides a Kids Cafe, and JCPS (the Center is a JCPS Learning Site).

Curriculum guides students’ creative thinking skills, curiosity and self-esteem. Programs include tutoring, athletics, and enrichment workshops such as art classes, interpersonal communication, finance for kids and cooking lessons.

The Family Success Center offers programming during summer break also. Importantly, a goal of the FSC is to engage parents, helping them become more informed and empowered as parents, a key factor to each child’s success both in personal development and in school.

Source: https://www.svdplou.org/