Firewall Centers was presented with $28,073 from Church United to help fund their newest Center location at Walker Elementary School.

“We decided that one of the most important things we could do to serve our community was to invest in the education of the next generation. It then became a natural fit to partner together with Firewall Centers because of the incredible work they are doing and their reputation in the community,” said Jon Elswick, Crossway Church Pastor.

Firewall Centers provides daily, school-based tutoring and mentoring services designed to help students achieve academic success, build character, and transform into servant leaders.

In the neighborhood surrounding Walker Elementary, there is a greater percentage of children living in poverty than is found in 98.6% of all U.S. neighborhoods. In addition, less than 30 percent of the students at the school can read on grade level.

At Firewall Centers, each student receives small group targeted tutoring in reading and math from their AmeriCorps Firewall Mentors. Volunteers also come on a weekly basis to read one-on-one with students to increase their reading proficiency.

Firewall is grateful for Church United’s generosity and the Love South Florida Initiative that has allowed them to serve more students. For more information, visit firewallcenters.org.