Kailanie Jackson

Kailanie Jackson

Meet Kailanie Jackson

Each year, here at Bridges, we meet many scholars who start the program with a sense of reluctance because no one wants to spend the entire year learning in school, only to be placed in a camp for additional academic learning. To many scholars, it initially appears to be a punishment. They each come with their own reasons, quirks, and concerns, but it's the story behind those first smiles that brings us the most Joy.

Meet Kailanie Jackson. She first joined us as a camper almost two years ago. Like many, she came in with a grimace and little to add to any conversation. She was different in that she would never smile, and most encounters were met with a stare, silence, or attitude that she thought was pushing us away, but she screamed, "Love me more." Now we see Keilani weekly (almost daily) because not only does she attend summer camp, but she participates in Afterschool at Bridges. She can be seen around the building smiling, assisting other students, helping staff, laughing during an escalated game of Uno with Mr. Young and her peers, and even singing in the choir. When asked what made her go from a frowning scholar to one who exudes excellence and joy, she had this to say: "I was always angry when I first started at Bridges. I was mad about everything, and I gave everybody an attitude, even if they didn't give me one. One day, I was talking to Mr. Cam, one of the tutors, who told me that he sees a therapist and there is nothing wrong with it. He said there are therapists out there who could help me with my anger. I had an opportunity to see one, but I refused to go. When I heard him talk about his experience, I decided to give therapy a try too. Therapy works. It's what I needed."

Kailanie is an eighth grader who loves English. She started attending Bridges Afterschool because she needed a designated place to do her homework. "My grades had started to slip because I was struggling in math and science. I wasn't studying or completing assignments because I would fall asleep. Here at Bridges, it's an open space and I can get help from good teachers," she noted. I asked her to define a "good teacher," and she responded, "The teachers here are good because they know how to communicate and you're able to trust them.

Kailanie has always been a scholar and a star, but now we get to see the outside manifestation of her greatness. She is a prime example of the quote that kids don't care to learn until they learn you care. It has been an honor and privilege to love Kailanie into greatness, and an even bigger blessing to continue to witness her growth in various programming around Bridges.