Quianna, 11, wants to be a pediatrician when she grows up. Malek, 10, wants to go to the University of North Carolina to study computer science. But in Washington, DC’s toughest neighborhoods, these dreams can fade and wither away unless the dreamers are nurtured and encouraged. That is the role of Heads Up: A University Neighborhood Initiative. This organization enlists university students to provide after-school and summertime academic enrichment and mentoring to children in several of the city’s poorest neighborhoods.

For the children, Heads Up provides a safe haven from the fear, danger, and boredom many of them face when they are away from school. Field trips, projects, and creative teaching make learning fun for kids like second-grader Mugabe, who struggled greatly with reading. Despite this difficulty, Mugabe had a rich imagination and captivated his classmates with the exciting stories he told. A Heads Up staff member decided to record and transcribe Mugabe’s tales, making him the author of his own reading assignments. This gave him tremendous confidence, and his reading ability improved quickly.

For the college students who work with the children, the Heads Up experience is designed to be eye opening, leading to a greater commitment to social change. And the bright sparkle of discovery and pride in the eyes of a child like Mugabe is a priceless reward for their service. One 13-year-old student offered this encouragement to the college students: “Each time we listen to you and choose to show up, we are saying thank you. So stick with it because you are giving your time to change other people’s lives.”

Heads Up Website