We believe presence matters.
Presencia is a neighborhood based program that provides tutoring, mentoring, and leadership development in Atlanta's immigrant community.
In our Buford Hwy/Dresden Dr. neighborhood, 69% of children live below the poverty line. That’s 96% higher than all other neighborhoods in the United States. Parents work incredibly hard jobs with long hours, but it is often not enough to provide for their children’s needs.
Our local public high school has a 56% graduation rate. Students are often forced to leave school to work and support their families, or lack the resources or encouragement to stay motivated.
We believe presence matters.
100% of Presencia's leadership development program participants have graduated high school since we started in 2009.
Each day of our program, Presencia kids receive a snack to welcome them in, the supplies and assistance they need to complete their homework, a hot meal with fresh fruit, a story that expresses God's love for them, and a reading buddy!
We currently have 5 paid, high school aged tutoring directors, who began in our program as little kids and are now leading the next generation.
"I think the way God has talked to me is when I'm trying to help others and what I say is something I should be listening to."
- Wanda, Presencia Tutoring Director, and mentor 2018