Finding Confidence, One Afternoon at a Time

When Siesha Reeves' son, Maverick, started kindergarten, she faced a challenge familiar to many working parents.

"My child had never been away from me or my family until he got to kindergarten," she shared. "It was a very hard transition for both of us."

Like many young children, Maverick was nervous about spending even more time away from home after the school day ended. He was quiet, reserved, and unsure about joining an after-school program with people he didn't know.

That quickly began to change.

"Freedom City brought my child out of his shell, instilled confidence, and supported his education by working with him and investing time into curriculum that challenged him daily," Siesha said. "It tested his social skills and allowed him to blossom with his peers."

The changes didn't stop with confidence. They showed up in the classroom, too.

"My son has tested above grade level since kindergarten," she said proudly. "He was reading at a third-grade level when he entered first grade. That didn't come without the help and guidance of this team. When his test scores started rolling in, I knew this team was different."

As a single mother, Siesha says Freedom City has done more than support her son's learning; it has given her peace of mind.

"I was so worried when he started school because I work late and had to trust that the program had my child's best interests at heart," she explained. "The Freedom City team invested in my child, and it showed every single day."

There were evenings when Maverick was the last student waiting to be picked up after work.

"With a smile on their faces, they always brought my baby out," she recalled. "They communicated with me and truly made me feel like my son was in a safe place and cared for. That gave me one less thing to worry about."

When asked what makes Freedom City different, Siesha didn't hesitate.

"The staff. This is the most incredible group of people. They get to know each child individually and what works best for them while making sure every child feels seen and supported. They celebrate growth, reinforce positive values, and build confidence."

She believes every parent should consider giving their child the same opportunity.

"You can't go wrong," she said. "Allow your child the opportunity to succeed and set them up for success with a program that truly has the best intentions for every child."

For Siesha, Freedom City is more than an after-school program; it's an essential partner in helping her family thrive.

"If we were to lose Freedom City," she said, "I would either have to switch careers to find a job that let me pick him up after school, or even move him to another school altogether."

Her story is a powerful reminder that when children have a safe place to learn, grow, and belong after school, families gain more than childcare. They gain confidence, stability, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing their children are cared for by people who believe in them.