School wasn’t always easy for Kei-Mariun. He acted out at school and acted out at home. After getting kicked-out of class time and time again, Kei-Mariun started to fall behind and so did his motivation.

Then Kei-Mariun’s mom Nekeisha brought him to Central Community House. Once a Central Community House kid herself, she needed a place that would give Kei-Mariun the academic and behavioral resources he wasn’t getting in school, and as a single mother, she needed support to get him back on track. 

Five years later, Kei-Mariun is entering sixth grade on schedule. He continues to participate in Central Community House’s after school program, summer camp and TRANSIT ARTS. He’s learned the importance of working hard and found a community of mentors and friends he can count on. 

“What I love about Central is the nice staff and the fun activities we do. Even though my friends and I go to different schools, I still get to see them every day after school.”

Proud of his accomplishments, Kei-Mariun is excelling daily with help from his mother and guidance from the Central Community House staff. But for Nekeisha, Central Community House not only changed her son's life, its changed hers. Through parenting classes and community programs she found a place that treats her family like family.  

“Central Community House does so much for us. Not just for the kids, but for the parents too. Even though they had to struggle with Kei-Mariun, they took care of him. They’ve been through the struggle with me.”