After School Program Helps Students Reach Their Potential

When Marcus started third grade, everyone around him knew he had the ability to succeed.

His father believed in him. His teachers believed in him.

The one person who still needed convincing was Marcus himself.

Although he had a strong foundation, Marcus needed extra academic support and encouragement to build confidence in reading and math. He also needed a place where learning felt positive, consistent, and achievable.

As a funded Community Investment partner of United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley, Open Door Community House, through its Mathews Promise Academy program, provides after-school academic support, enrichment, and mentoring that help students strengthen their skills while building confidence in the classroom and beyond.

With individualized instruction, regular practice, and caring adults cheering him on, Marcus began to see something change. Each small success made the next challenge feel a little more manageable.

Perhaps most importantly, he showed up every day. His perfect attendance allowed him to make the most of every opportunity to learn and grow.

Confidence Creates Academic Success

As the school year progressed, Marcus’s hard work began to pay off.

He surpassed his expected reading growth well before the end of the year, advancing beyond both his typical benchmark and his stretch goal. He also made steady gains in math, continuing to strengthen the skills he would need for future success.

The numbers told part of the story.

The bigger change happened every time Marcus realized he could tackle a difficult assignment, solve a challenging problem, or finish a book that once seemed out of reach.

His father summed it up best:

“I knew he could do it. He just needed to believe in himself the way we all believed in him.”

That belief became the foundation for everything that followed.

Strong Communities Are Built Together

Behind every impact story is a network of people and organizations working together to create lasting change.

As a funded Community Investment partner, Open Door Community House, through its Mathews Promise Academy program, provides academic support, mentoring, and enrichment opportunities that help students strengthen essential skills, build confidence, and prepare for long-term success.

United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley invests in trusted nonprofit partners with proven results because lasting change happens when we strengthen the organizations already making a difference every day.

When you support United Way, your investment stays local, helping children across the Chattahoochee Valley receive the encouragement, resources, and opportunities they need to reach their full potential.