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Diamond came to The Vine afterschool program at New Life Centers when she was in 1st grade. She struggled with school work and would become discouraged easily. The Vine teachers started encouraging Diamond’s mother to seek out additional support for her at school. We walked her through this process and her daughter was able to get an IEP (Individual Education Plan) at her school. Once she received this she began to flourish! The partnership between her family and the school combined with Diamond’s renewed energy to learn resulted in a straight-A student by middle school. In 9th grade she continued to come to the Vine each week for homework help but started to pursue her passion for art. Two years later she is a JR. in high school and is dual enrolled in a community college. When she graduates high school, she will almost have her Associate degree!

Diamond and her mom have always been heavily involved at New Life Centers. They are always looking for ways to give back to the people who have become family to them. This year Diamond, her Aunt Tille and her mom are offering the children at The Vine a free 8-week art class with all the materials provided. The kids are ecstatic and every day they are asking if it is art class day again!