NEWS

Our LEARN Works team has an urgent need for after-school volunteers. For 25 years, LEARN Works has served northern Mecklenburg County elementary and middle school students who are 1-3 grade levels behind their peers. It is the only free after-school program with an academic focus in the north part of the county.  

The program currently serves 57 students in grades 1-8 from Cornelius, Davidson, and Huntersville, providing them with additional reading and math skills. Classroom tutor volunteers are needed at both LEARN Works sites: at the Ada Jenkins Center in Davidson (3:30-6:30pm), and at the David B. Waymer Center in Huntersville (3:15-6:15pm) every weekday when Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools are in session. For more information, contact [email protected] or apply here. Volunteer applications will be accepted through Sunday, October 8.

Demand at our food pantry remains high, and we are greatly need some important food and toiletry items:

• Condiments (ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard)
• Salad dressing
• Dog and cat food (3-lb. bags)
• Full-size shampoo (we can’t accept mini or hotel toiletries; sorry)
• Body wash
• Deodorant
• Laundry detergent
• Toothbrushes and toothpaste

If you can donate these items, we would truly appreciate it! Volunteers are available Tuesday-Thursday, 9:30-11:30 a.m. to accept donations at the food pantry entrance.

And if you’re feeling hungry, please save the date for our upcoming Food Fight (Round 4) – November 4. We held this fun (and delicious) event for several years, but paused it due to COVID. Now it’s time to dive-in again, to sample specialties from local restaurants, caterers, and home-based businesses. If you are interested in sponsoring or becoming a participating chef, please contact Josh Kiser.

Food Fight is just one part of our upcoming 25th Anniversary Celebration. That’s right, the Ada Jenkins Center was formed as a nonprofit service organization 25 years ago this year!  During the weekend of November 3-5, we’ll be holding several community events to celebrate. We’re calling it “25 for 25” – in an effort to raise $25,000 toward our programs. Interested in sponsoring, or learning more? Please connect with Josh Kiser.

Finally, our next “Meet up and Move” event is Monday, October 16, at 8:45 am. It’s open to everyone, and we invite you to join Ada Jenkins Center staff, neighbors, and community leaders as we take in some fresh air–and get our steps in! Park in one of the nearby lots, and meet us at the entrance to the Antiquity Greenway, 20036 Zion Ave, Cornelius. We promise great energy and fun conversation.

We hope to see you there!  And thank you, as always, for caring about the families we serve.