Today, we’re sharing a conversation with Jonathon “JD” DeLeon, Program and V-Trades Director at Charlottesville’s Abundant Life Ministries, to learn more about Abundant Life’s work in the community and how C4K helps further their mission.
Can you tell us a little about Abundant Life’s mission and your role as Program and V-trades Director?
JD: Abundant Life’s Mission is to demonstrate God’s love through holistic community development in the Prospect neighborhood. This is done through the foundation of relationship building within the community. It is the reason I am here and the reason I began my role as Program and V-Trades Director. I love this community and I was embraced by it because I believed in it and poured myself into the beauty of relationship building. I was able to form and strengthen relationships with the families in this neighborhood for the past 2.5 years and because of this, I am able to connect them to organizations because they trust me and Abundant Life. As the Program Director, I am overseeing Abundant Life’s tutoring programs and enrichment programs to ensure their success. As the V-trades Director, I work with 8th graders and up to meet and create plans for success with the goal of exposing them to real-life experiences and connections that could inspire them to different types of careers as they are considering options of pursuing higher education. With this, I have the privilege of working with amazing outside organizations like C4K. Abundant Life sees C4K as an avenue in our youth’s paths for success and we are so blessed to have this partnership.
What do you look for in a community partnership?
JD: With trust being a large factor in the lives of the community we serve, we strive to ensure that who we bring to the table for our community can and will be understanding, caring, and consistent. A strong community partner is willing to put in the effort to meet our families where they’re at and embrace them with a love that pushes them towards greatness!
How does Abundant Life programming complement C4K programming?
JD: Abundant Life programming is a holistic ministry that embraces our youth with spiritual, academic, social, emotional, and intellectual development. C4K compliments this with their emphasis on STEAM and how that allows our youth to truly dig deep within themselves and explore the possibilities of their future. It’s not a one size fits all program, but instead is a vast ocean of resources and opportunities where our youth are sure to find something that interests them. When I went to pick up our kids one evening a couple weeks back, I saw one of them, who I’ve known since I started working with Abundant Life, working on an animation project. This brought me so much joy because I know for a fact that is something that he enjoys even if it is hard and because it confirms that he chose something that aligns with his interests instead of just going because his mom wants him there (which happens a lot!). My hope is that this is just the beginning for him and this exposure will draw out many more opportunities. At Abundant Life, we are keen on exposing our youth to opportunities that push them to see a world outside of Charlottesville, and we are thankful that C4K is able to be a stepping stone in this process.
How did you learn about C4K?
JD: I had heard about C4K by word of mouth for a couple years, but it wasn’t until Dom Morse was on staff with Abundant Life where I learned more in depth about C4K and their approach to working with youth. From him and his connection, I was able to see the benefit of bringing our youth to an experience that could honestly change the trajectory of their lives. My boss, Eddie Howard, always likes to say that we can’t tell kids to aim for the stars if we don’t show them how to get to the stars. I believe that since finding and partnering with C4K, we have taken another step in getting them closer to their dreams.
What’s your future vision for our partnership, in say, 5 years?
JD: As our programs work with youth from Kindergarten through one year out of high school, we are continually having kids moving up and into the age requirement for C4K [6th-12th grade]. My goal is to work with C4K through the years to establish it as a part of the students in our V-trades program’s path to success if they are interested in STEAM! I see our partnership growing through the years where we are able to use C4K as an insight into the future of their lives. How can we connect our kids who are learning specific skills in C4K to other organizations within Charlottesville looking to hire in those fields or to sponsor students in higher education because they see their capabilities from C4K? There is a future for these kids and I hope that if we can continually help them see the resources that exist for them, then this partnership is succeeding.
Anything else you’d like to add?
JD: Abundant Life is very grateful to C4K and the work they do for and with our students and in Charlottesville!
Thank you, JD, for all you and Abundant Life does to help youth thrive in our community! We’re honored to be a trusted avenue in the path to success for the families you work with.
