The Leaven

Paint on Antonio’s Fingers

Antonio is a fifth-grader—a bit older than most of the students that attend our program center at the Groves Apartments. Living within one of the most crime-ridden and violent neighborhoods in Solano County, Antonio is at a very critical age when gangs begin to recruit new members and influences such as drugs, alcohol, crime, and peer pressure can lead a child like Antonio down a very destructive path in his early life.

Because he was older than the other children, Antonio would bring his little brother to the program center and look hesitant on whether he should stay or go hang out with his friends. Initially, he would stay for a short time and play games with some of the younger children, and we were encouraged by the way Antonio interacted with the other students, and seemed to have a desire to help. Soon, Antonio was filling in as a tutor for younger students, and helping with their reading. When maintenance staff who work at the Groves Apartments saw Antonio’s willingness to help, they asked if he would volunteer and help paint a fence on the grounds.

Antonio came back to our center, proudly showing all our staff the paint he had on his fingers. Over the next few days, as he continued on the project, you could see a real transformation in Antonio—as he realized the pride that came with community service and developed a real respect for the apartments where he lived. Management staff at the apartment complex and families that reside there stopped and took notice of the work he was doing, and thanked him for it. Since then, Antonio is always asking to volunteer at our program, to help the apartment management staff, and continue to do maintenance projects at the Groves.

What The Leaven has been able to do for children like Antonio is rally the immediate community around him—for the sole purpose of bettering his life. Instead of following a likely path, succumbing to negative influences, and becoming a menace in his neighborhood, Antonio is doing something to change it—and empowering himself to grow to become a positive and productive member of his community.

Your support can help The Leaven continue to give a children like Melanie and Antonio these invaluable gifts.

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