For nearly 20 years, Avon Hambrick, of Wildwood, has been working with at-risk youth who come from low-income housing in Lake and Sumter counties through her Lake County-based nonprofit organization, Life Skills of America. “Before working with us, they are feeling sad and like there is no way for them,” Hambrick said. “Because there are such strong feelings of hopelessness at this point, we try to speak life into them and empower them to improve their mindset. We work on the whole person.”
A retired postal worker, Hambrick, who is executive director of the nonprofit, recalls when she first graduated high school and wasn’t sure what her next steps would be.
With the goal of improving the lives of young people and helping them be prepared for life with a better education and more access to job opportunities, Hambrick established Like Skills of America in 2007.
“When we first started, and even now, we stand on a foundational scripture,” she said. “3 John 2 says, ‘Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.’ That scripture deals with dealing with the whole person inside and out. The work we do deals with the financial wellness of a person, the physical wellness of a person and the spiritual wellness of a person.”
To expand the nonprofit’s reach and impact, Hambrick, who typically works with teenage girls from 15 to 19 years old who live in Lake, Sumter and Citrus counties, started the Summer Tutoring Program in partnership with the City of Wildwood. The seven-week program that launched on June 8 was designed to help fourth, fifth and sixth graders improve their reading and math skills. Hambrick said the four students who participated received a library card and checked out books weekly.
“These students are checking out two or three books at once and reading them in a week,” she said. “One of the little boys, who is a fifth grader, has read about 33 books. We want them to strengthen their reading and are seeing measurable results. We drill them on math, like their times tables, and we drill them on spelling. We are seeing them becoming stronger readers and becoming more proficient in math. By giving them that extra bit of encouragement, it’s all building up their confidence.”
At the end of the program, Hambrick, volunteers with the nonprofit and participating families congratulated the students during a special graduation ceremony on July 25 at the Villages Public Library at Pinellas Plaza.
Hambrick said the nonprofit plans to continue to work with the students through study sessions.
“Once a month we want them to participate in the reading program at the library where they’ll be reading in a group session with the therapy dog,” she said. “We want to continue building their public reading skills by having them read in front of people.”
As part of her goal to boost the reading skills of youth, Hambrick also organized the Dictionary Project. In December, the nonprofit donated 150 dictionaries to five third grade classes at Lake Panasoffkee Elementary.
“Research showed us that if you keep students reading at a third grade level, they are less likely to ever become incarcerated,” she said.
To help ensure teenage girls at-risk of not graduating not only earn their high school diplomas but develop a plan for their future, Like Skills of America supplies them with a copy of the book, “Amazing Fast-Track Careers: Start A New Career In Less Than A Year,” by Rothesia Stokes.
“In this book, it’s laid out how long it takes to get certified and how much money they can expect to make once they are certified for 24 different careers,” Hambrick said. “It gives them a goal to reach for and strive towards. If they pick one and it doesn’t work, they can pick another one.”
Life Skills of America also has helped adults to better their lives through education opportunities.
“People don’t realize there is a great need to help adults still in need of their high school diploma,” Hambrick said.
Hambrick’s work has not gone unnoticed. She said word of mouth and her presentations at local churches has helped her grow the nonprofit.
Ro Martinez, a Citrus-County based artist, met Hambrick several years ago and has been a supporter ever since.
Martinez, who was featured in the City of Ocala’s Art in City Spaces rotating exhibit in June, donated one of her art pieces from the exhibit to Like Skills of America.
Martinez made the piece, titled “The Journey,” with the help of two young women who worked with the nonprofit.
“That piece is really my favorite piece,” she said. “Avon always thinks of impressive ways to teach the girls skills they can use in the future. The fact that Avon takes girls who wouldn’t have other opportunities of exposure to these resources is having a huge impact.”
Hambrick said she hopes to continue making change.
“It was just amazing to see the people there embracing the program and really get something out of our services. It really served the girls and it all goes back to our foundation, which was financial, physical and spiritual wellness,” she said.
For more information about the nonprofit, visit lifeskillsofamerica.org or call 352-257-5636.
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
