3rd Grade Trip to Ada Jenkins

At DGS, service for and an intentional connection with our community hold a great significance. The Ada Jenkins Center is an excellent opportunity for both, literally right around the corner. Our school has long partnered with the center in various ways, but this year we have been more intentional about looking for ways to deepen that connection, specifically with Lower Elementary. This year, our class donated some of the fresh greens they grew with Ms. Emily in the dome using Aquaponics, and we also donated some chapsticks that the children made in the classroom. We wanted our third graders, especially, to feel a sense of connection with this work, so we reached out and made a connection with Ms. Dawne Kakitsis, the center's volunteer and development coordinator. Ms. Dawne was incredibly patient while we worked out the logistics of our trip and discussed ideas for possible future involvement. On Tuesday after break, Ms. Emily and I accompanied the third graders to meet Ms. Dawne, make our donations, and tour the facility.

We learned that the Ada Jenkins building used to be the local school for Black children, before desegregation, and that the neighborhood it is central to is historically Black. This gave us an opportunity to discuss that the desegregation of schools, though done in the interest of equity and justice, likely provided at least as much challenge for Black families and children as it did benefit. This school would have provided an education right in their own neighborhood, with other children and teachers who looked like them and had similar life experience. De-segregation meant separation from community, long hours on a school bus instead of a short walk, and undoubtedly, they faced discrimination from the white community in their new schools, often including even their new white teachers. This perspective is one I didn't consider until I was much older, and I think it's an important aspect of Black history to ponder. It certainly added a layer of depth and appreciation to my understanding of this gem of a community center.

Just one of the many wonderful programs supported by the center

Thanks to local celeb and Davidson grad Steph Curry, this beautiful gym is available to the community for pick-up games! Fun Fact: Steph (along with his brother and sister), are all former Montessori students!

In addition to the food pantry, the building houses a bilingual preschool, as well as after-school reading support for English language learners.

The Ada Jenkis Center food pantry allows customers to shop for things they might need, rather than provide them with pre-determined (and possibly unhelpful, unuseful) items.

The food pantry is also one of the few local food pantries to provide fresh produce in addition to non-perishable items.

This recently completed community room, complete with kitchen facilities, is available to the community for rent, for parties, receptions, graduations, etc. What a great resource!

Moving forward, we would like to plan a monthly trip to the center for our third-graders to volunteer their time in various ways. We are so thankful for this wonderful community resource and their partnership! Please visit their website and find ways your family might contribute and connect here!

https://www.adajenkins.org

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