Column: Creative Solutions
Struggle Is The Father of Victory - Be Victorious!
Submitted By: Debra Greenfield
Published: June 2011
What I am about to tell you is how and why ABC Learn, Inc. has been able to successfully focus on our vision and mission and continue to expand our outreach into our communities. I am grateful for those who have gone before me and been willing to share their knowledge and experience. I hope I can be as helpful to those who are still seeking as my friends and colleagues have been to me.
We are a 501(c)(3) community based organization started in 1996 with our exemption in education and cultural awareness. We were birthed out of anger and frustration. Too many kids were graduating high school without a true ability to read or do math but thinking they were brilliant and worth an immense amount of money on their first job. Well, I guess we all know that combination is not possible unless you are working for a family member who is also deluded.
After a slight stint in trying to make a difference through political involvement it became quite apparent this was a closed society to most of us and we were among the most. We kept believing someone should do something and then came to the realization that we are “someone”.
Our Vision: To retake public education for academic excellence. Our Mission: To take actions which will have a positive impact on society as a whole. Our Goal: To have literate, productive members of Society who recognize their value as a member of the whole and who are able to achieve their individual goals in a manner that is beneficial to all.
How were we going to accomplish this? We were not welcome through any public education venues. We were, however, welcome through the juvenile detention facilities. We began providing reading and math services to detained youth in the Los Angeles County Juvenile Probation Department. The kids were 12 – 19 with most having a reading level of 3rd grade. The kids were wonderful and very appreciative of the help they received (AFTER they got to know us.) My husband, Norman, provided the resources through his work while I would drive from detention camp to detention camp teaching young people how to read. Eventually, we had two more dedicated volunteers.
people how to read and do math. Like you, we know the positive impact this has had on the young people themselves as well as their families, and ultimately the communities we serve. This truly does spread out to the nation. This past year we were able to open the San Fernando Valley YouthBuild Charter School. ABC Learn, Inc. runs the program and we have joined with YouthBuild Charter Schools of California to provide free access to a diploma for young people age 16 – 24. We have our first graduation celebration this June. Additionally, we have been able to provide free English as a Second Language program for adults and have graduated over 60 graduates in the past two years. We are in the process of looking into expanding into a similar academic program for middle school students.
There have been tremendous challenges. However, if there are no challenges then it is unlikely you are making any forward movement, especially in an arena that has such resistance to change. Don’t stop taking just one more step forward. To be victorious, you must also be persistent. Good Luck!
Published: June 2011
What I am about to tell you is how and why ABC Learn, Inc. has been able to successfully focus on our vision and mission and continue to expand our outreach into our communities. I am grateful for those who have gone before me and been willing to share their knowledge and experience. I hope I can be as helpful to those who are still seeking as my friends and colleagues have been to me.
We are a 501(c)(3) community based organization started in 1996 with our exemption in education and cultural awareness. We were birthed out of anger and frustration. Too many kids were graduating high school without a true ability to read or do math but thinking they were brilliant and worth an immense amount of money on their first job. Well, I guess we all know that combination is not possible unless you are working for a family member who is also deluded.
After a slight stint in trying to make a difference through political involvement it became quite apparent this was a closed society to most of us and we were among the most. We kept believing someone should do something and then came to the realization that we are “someone”.
Our Vision: To retake public education for academic excellence. Our Mission: To take actions which will have a positive impact on society as a whole. Our Goal: To have literate, productive members of Society who recognize their value as a member of the whole and who are able to achieve their individual goals in a manner that is beneficial to all.
How were we going to accomplish this? We were not welcome through any public education venues. We were, however, welcome through the juvenile detention facilities. We began providing reading and math services to detained youth in the Los Angeles County Juvenile Probation Department. The kids were 12 – 19 with most having a reading level of 3rd grade. The kids were wonderful and very appreciative of the help they received (AFTER they got to know us.) My husband, Norman, provided the resources through his work while I would drive from detention camp to detention camp teaching young people how to read. Eventually, we had two more dedicated volunteers.
people how to read and do math. Like you, we know the positive impact this has had on the young people themselves as well as their families, and ultimately the communities we serve. This truly does spread out to the nation. This past year we were able to open the San Fernando Valley YouthBuild Charter School. ABC Learn, Inc. runs the program and we have joined with YouthBuild Charter Schools of California to provide free access to a diploma for young people age 16 – 24. We have our first graduation celebration this June. Additionally, we have been able to provide free English as a Second Language program for adults and have graduated over 60 graduates in the past two years. We are in the process of looking into expanding into a similar academic program for middle school students.
There have been tremendous challenges. However, if there are no challenges then it is unlikely you are making any forward movement, especially in an arena that has such resistance to change. Don’t stop taking just one more step forward. To be victorious, you must also be persistent. Good Luck!
About the Contributor
Debra Greenfield
Debra Greenfield – Founder and Chairman. A graduate of West Los Angeles School of Law, Debra holds certificates in four separate disciplines of law. Additionally, she has completed two years of law school and has passed the California Baby Bar. After working in the legal profession for over 15 years, the mother of three recognized an alarming increase in illiteracy and violence among the teenage population, especially in Los Angeles County. It was then she decided to establish ABC Learn, Inc.. In addition to serving as a member of the Board of Directors, Debra serves as CEO and President of ABC Learn, Inc.