A hidden gem in Duplin County is now expanding to another two locations. Diversity Nurtures Achievements (DNA) located at 104 Revelle Road in Warsaw has been serving families for over 15 years, and is now excited to be able to help even more families.
The building DNA is located in was once a family daycare that was started by her mother. Rivers grew up working with children her whole life. When it was her turn to take charge she decided to create DNA, a non-profit, because she felt like she wanted to make a bigger impact on the kid’s lives than just babysitting kids.
“We did childcare for years. When we stopped we thought about doing a store, but that wasn’t in the plans. I met with my board to come up with a name. I had the opportunity to watch kids all their life, and it really hurt me to see some of the situations they were in. So we met and came up with Diversity Nurtures Achievements Center. Some of the kids don’t know who they are. That’s how we came up with DNA. We want to be that place for children where they can be in a safe environment and they can be fed in their stomach and their mind too,” Rivers explained.
The non-profit has been around for 15 years, and has 4 programs under their umbrella for children ages 5-18. The programs are at no cost to their parents and also includes transportation from school and field trips.
The most recent program was the summer program where they had kids at the facility for eight weeks. They participated in many different summer activities as well as incorporating a focus on education. The summer programs always end about two weeks before school starts.
Now that school is in session, they have transitioned to the after school program. During their programs they not only have fun but they primarily focus on each child’s education. They help with homework, do one-on-one tutoring, and incorporate interactive learning and enrichment activities.
Just passing by you may not know that the facility actually has a small farm and several garden beds behind the building along with several types of playground equipment. The kids learn to maintain a garden, and learn about animals and help take care of them as part of a partnership with 4-H. Many of the kids participate in county 4-H activities through the daycare and have even won statewide ribbons. DNA also partners with The Girl Scouts of America, where the kids learn life skills.
According to Rivers, one very impactful program that they have is the Structured Learning Day Program which allows students that have been suspended to be able to still keep up with their school work. Instead of being home, students go to the center during school hours to continue their studies in a quiet, safe environment without so many distractions. This is in partnership with the Department of Juvenile Justice. Rivers has a great partnership with the schools and even has an MOU that allows her to have access to their assignments.
“The ultimate goal is to help them to be able to continue their academic process. Think about it, if a student is suspended for 10 days, that’s a big gap for them to try to catch up before they go back to school. Most of the kids that attend our structured learning have actually told us that they have learned more with us here than they have at school. So school counselors send them, teachers, probation officers. It depends on the circumstances,” stated Rivers.
DNA also provides full meals for the students with hopes to help fight malnutrition in youth from low-income families.
“We partner with the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina so all the kids are fed. They don’t get just a snack. Monday through Friday they get here, wash their hands, and line up at the counter to receive a full well balanced meal. To be honest, if these kids don’t eat anything else from the time they leave here until the next day, they would be ok. Sometimes we have extra supplies on Friday’s and I give it to the kids to take home to eat over the weekend.”
The last program they offer is called Unheard Voices. This program is for foster care kids. It is not an everyday structured learning program, but instead more of a support group for kids that are in foster care. The program is in partnership with the University of North Carolina. They meet once a month and receive mentorship and are provided other resources to help them. Upon signing up they are given a journal that they can write in and also provide DNA with a list explaining their needs and what they want to get out of the program.
According to Rivers she loves the work they do. They get to touch the lives of the kids every day, and sometimes help them turn their life around.
“The very most rewarding thing over the last six years. We had a student that was held back a grade. We really worked with him with tutoring and reading and when January came around, he was placed back in his correct grade. You can’t put money on that at all. That’s the kind of fuel that gives us the energy to keep going,” Rivers explained.
Rivers believes it’s a community effort. That everyone has to do their part to uplift the community.
“This center has been a pillar in our community for many years. If people don’t have food they will send them here. We partner with FEMA and are an emergency center during hurricanes and other disasters. We have been here forever,” stated Rivers.
Some of the organization’s other partners include: Duplin County Public Schools, Warsaw Parks and Recreation, Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, ECU Health, Conservation Fund’s Resourceful Communities Initiative, and many other sponsors.
Two new centers will be opening on October 1 through federal funding called the 21st Century Grant. Up to 65 kids will be able to join the program for free. They are also looking for employees for the new locations that will be located at Big Zion A.M.E Church in Kenansville and First Baptist Missionary Church in Warsaw. High school students can also apply. To learn more visit www.dnacyc.org or contact 910-293-7769.
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