March 27, 2023
PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Self-Contained Tutoring Van Proposal Ratified by Leaven Kids Board of Directors, Paving the Way for Fundraising, Purchase, and Mobilization in Solano County
• A proposal to fundraise, purchase, and mobilize a retrofitted tutoring passenger van has been ratified by the Leaven Kids Board of Directors
• The mobile tutoring unit will be named in honor of belated City of Fairfield Mayor, Harry Price, who was a founding member and vocal advocate of the Leaven Kids mission
• The capabilities provided by the retrofitted passenger van will allow Leaven Kids to expand its operational reach to students living in rural communities not already being serviced by Leaven Kids’ existing learning centers
FAIRFIELD, CA - Leaven Kids, one of the fastest-growing non-profit 501(c)3 organizations in the northern Bay Area, has ratified plans to fundraise, purchase, and deploy a mobile, self-contained tutoring unit, which will feature 10 workstations, computers, radios, STEAM technology, and WiFi. This initiative will serve as an extension of Leaven Kids’ existing programming, allowing it to expand its reach to students living in rural communities that are not already being serviced by its brick-and-mortar learning centers.
“Leaven Kids is committed to implementing new and creative solutions to best address the achievement gap that exists among students living in communities heavily impacted by high rates of poverty, elevated gun violence, and limited after-school resources,” said Len Augustine, Leaven Kids Director and former-Mayor for the City of Vacaville. “The proposed mobile tutoring unit will provide a cost-effective and highly-responsive tool for Leaven Kids to reach young students who live in neighborhoods just beyond our existing operational footprint. This capability will allow us to more effectively tailor our resources to meet the needs of the region, while simultaneously remaining adaptable to the ever-changing needs of our students across a greater geographical area.”
The mobile tutoring unit will be named in honor of belated City of Fairfield Mayor, Harry Price, who was a founding member and vocal advocate of the Leaven Kids mission. The Leaven Kids Naming and Stewardship Sub-Committee drafted a formal proposal earlier this year, which was reviewed and ratified by the Board of Directors. This effort was led by retired 4-star U.S. Air Force General and Leaven Kids Board of Directors Vice President, General Maryanne Miller (Ret.).
“Mayor Price was never one to sit idle,” Miller said. “He was always moving and serving our community. The proposed mobile tutoring unit will make after-school educational resources more readily accessible to students living in rural communities, allowing them to benefit from our services without being constrained due to their geographical location. This exciting investment in the educational development of children aligns closely with values that Mayor Price promoted during his time with Leaven Kids, thereby making this a fitting platform to honor his legacy.”
The Price family was also heavily involved in the decision to name Leaven Kids’ proposed mobile tutoring unit in honor of Mayor Harry Price.
“As a lifelong teacher and public advocate of early childhood education, my Dad was a firm believer that every student deserves a chance to fulfill their utmost potential,” said Pam Winaker, daughter to the late Mayor Harry Price. “Establishing a strong educational foundation is an important first step when setting our children up for success. The mobile tutoring unit proposed by Leaven Kids perfectly captures this mission that my Dad cared for so deeply by ensuring that every young student has access to the love, support, and mentorship needed to be successful in school and in life.”
With the formal approval from the Board of Directors, Leaven Kids will now work to secure the remaining funds needed to purchase and deploy this self-contained mobile tutoring unit. It has already raised roughly 25% of the funds needed through memorial donations sent in lieu of flowers. The mobile classroom will have the ability to rotate between multiple neighborhoods within the surrounding region, both to maximize the number of students reached and to establish a foundation for future brick-and-mortar sites depending on community interest and available resources.
“It’s critical that we adapt to best meet the needs of our community and the students we serve,” said Mark Lillis, Chief Executive Officer for Leaven Kids. “By increasing the accessibility of our after-school programs, Leaven Kids can more effectively address the achievement gap that exists amongst students coming from low-income households and help get them on track to graduate.”
The fundraising, purchase, and deployment of Leaven Kid’s self-contained, mobile tutoring unit will fill an urgent need for accessible after-school and summer programming for students living in historically underserved communities. This is yet another example of how Leaven Kids is addressing barriers to access and promoting equitable services by bringing evidence-based educational programs directly to neighborhoods where students live.
Members of the public who are interested in donating to the Leaven Kids mission can email hello@leavenkids.com for more information.
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About Leaven Kids Since 2009, Leaven Kids has provided free after-school tutoring and mentoring to some of California’s most at-risk neighborhoods. It serves as an in-community resource for children and their families by building educational centers in areas hardest hit by poverty, crime, and high drop-out rates among youth. With the help of dedicated volunteers, Leaven Kids helps to transform entire communities by providing love and patience to children struggling to learn and succeed in school. To learn more, visit leavenkids.org.
Contact for Media Samuel Swanson sswanson@leavenkids.org
