The Ada Jenkins Center

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  “We are helping those in poverty break the cycle and gain economic independence.”  

  The building that houses The Ada Jenkins Families and Careers Development Center has been a part of the Davidson community for nearly 80 years. Today, they are a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization that helps those in need. Their vision is to “support the people of Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson, and South Iredell County toward becoming better educated, healthier, and/or economically self-sufficient, empowering them for a better tomorrow.”  

 Education: 

        The LEARN Works after school program helps close to 150 students on weekdays to receive academic support and a snack. They work toward improving reading skills, successfully accomplishing homework, and learning how to apply knowledge to daily life.  

Health: 

       Dental services are provided to uninsured patients that reside in the Lake Norman community. Services such as oral surgery, dental cleanings, dental extractions, x-rays, fillings, and dental screenings are offered by the Dental Clinic Staff and volunteer professionals. Volunteers include Dentists, Hygienists, Dental Assistants, students of these professions, Spanish translators, medical techs and office staff.

       Medical services are also provided to uninsured patients that reside in the Lake Norman community. They offer primary care visits, mental health visits, and specialty visits. They write prescriptions, distribute OTC medication, provide referrals for diagnostic testing, specialty care or other health-related services. Volunteers include medical professionals, specialists, interpreters, and administrative support. 

Human Services:  

       The Ada Jenkins Center helps create resumes, coordinate meetings with partner agencies, connect client-partners to job opportunities, complete assessments and budgets with client-partners, update data and complete administrative work. They also have The Sunshine Fund for emergency rent and utility assistance. They have an onsite food pantry that partners with Loaves and Fishes, that allows for their clients to shop for a nutritionally balanced shopping list. They also partner with Lydia’s Loft to provide free clothing and household items to people in need.   

  I have had the opportunity to volunteer on different occasions at the Ada Jenkins center. Some of my favorite moments include painting rooms and working in the garden during spring break of my 8th grade year. I went with my church’s youth group armed with blueberry bushes and buckets of brightly colored paint. By the end of the day, we were accessorized with specks of paint and dirt under our fingernails, but it was very fun for every volunteer who came! If getting a little messy is not for you, they always need new volunteers in the LEARN Works afterschool program. I was able to participate in the most recent “Drop in and Volunteer” week. It was incredibly fun to listen to the children’s stories, experience their passion for good grades, and help reinforce the basics of math and reading. The afterschool program has given the children an undeniable eagerness to learn. Watching their eyes light up when they figured out a tough math problem was very rewarding. The students had a special visit from the fire department on the day that I volunteered. While the firemen spoke the children were engaged and asked numerous questions. If you have an interest in volunteering I recommend, helping with the Ada Jenkins Garden, becoming a consistent LEARN Works volunteer, or stop by during the next “Drop in and Volunteer” opportunity.   

  Teenagers & Adults can: 

· Tutor!  They always need new volunteers to tutor and mentor the kids in the LEARN Works program during weekdays. If you wish to volunteer regularly, they ask that you attend an orientation and be there one day on a weekly basis to provide consistency and a safe environment for the kids. If you cannot volunteer on a weekly basis, you can participate in “Drop in and Volunteer,” all you have to do is show up on specific dates at 3:15 pm to serve until 6:15 pm. The dates for the rest of the school year are April 17th & 18th, and May 8th-12th. High school students 14 years and older can tutor during the “Drop in and Volunteer” weeks, to be a more permanent volunteer you must be 15 years and older.  

· The Ada Jenkins Garden The Ada Jenkins Center has recently rebuilt a garden that is need of care and love from volunteers. They need help with the planting and upkeep of the garden. Everything grown in the garden will go to the food pantry.  

· Food Pantry Volunteer Students and Adults ages 18 and older can help organize and distribute goods in the Loaves and Fishes food pantry.    

Families or Children can:  

· Support the Loaves and Fishes food pantry by holding a food or hygiene drive then delivering the products to Ada Jenkins   

Adults can: 

· Medical Professionals, Dental Professionals, or Spanish translators can volunteer in the free clinics.  

 Volunteering:

 Visit their website Adajenkins.org and click Make an Impact. Under this tab is a page that says “Volunteer” where you can fill out the Volunteer Interest Form. You can also contact the Ada Jenkins Center at 704-896-0471  https://www.adajenkins.org/impact/volunteer/

Donate:

  If you do not have time to donate by volunteering, you can contribute financially to their programs. Visit their website Adajenkins.org and click Make an Impact. Under that tab has a page that says “Donate” where you can give financially.  https://www.adajenkins.org/impact/donate/