While working with at-risk students over the past 27 years, here are a few observations and explanations for their academic challenges. Both math and English language arts have clearly defined rules. In poverty, subjectivity rules the day, not objectivity. How someone feels is often more important than what’s factually true. Life is typically viewed from a gray lens, not a black-or-white prism. Obviously, an unstable mood has a spillover effect in the classroom and on standardized tests where it’s quite easy to jump to conclusions or take the path of least resistance. It’s my estimation that a disrupted and dysfunctional circadian rhythm system plays a huge role in the struggles of under-resourced students. Think about it. They often live in cramped, chaotic environments with lots of background noise in substandard conditions. Book reading is not prioritized, which contributes to their limited vocabulary and narrow conversation register (typically less than 750 words in their daily communication account). Meal time and bedtime are moving targets, which is why so many of these kids use school to catch up on lost sleep at their desks. Structure and order is often based on fear — as in who barks the loudest threats — or “do what I say without questioning how I live!” With limited finances, paying for tutoring services to close academic shortfalls is out of the question; the “extra money” just isn’t there. Lastly, the present takes precedence over the future. What’s out of sight is usually out of mind. (Although a gifted student academically, I did grow up on welfare in public housing for 18 years with three older sisters. “Ma Dukes” did the best she could to take care of four kids by herself, but poverty’s landscape is hard to navigate for a mom on a solo-parent mission.)

Wrapping up, community partnerships with local businesses have been one of LFYO’s key value proposition drivers. In our current wheelhouse, we are incredibly grateful to have 30 companies that welcome LFYO kids into their establishments. Of course, we need more. In my next article, I’ll discuss how you or your organization can join the LFYO Business Partner Team. For over a decade, Toy Barn Cars and owner Shawn Cunix have provided our at-risk youth with an unforgettable experience (which is the main reason why I buy all of my vehicles from this dealership.) Underprivileged tweens and teens are treated like VIP customers. They even get a chance to sit and take pictures in their six-figure dream cars! What’s more important is the information these young people receive while on the field trip. And yes, all roads point back to reading, writing, and arithmetic. General manager Chris Scott often shares with the group, “A credit score is like your report card.” He adds, “When you have a great credit score, like an impressive report card, a lot of opportunity doors open that would normally stay closed. Make sense?” Scott understands that when you have a captive audience with lives and legacies hanging in the balance, your words of wisdom must resonate with their way of thinking. That’s why LFYO is teaming up with Toy Barn Cars and other Central Ohio businesses to create an app-based financial life skills curriculum that aligns with state academic standards and vulnerable students’ interests. What’s relevant inside and outside a classroom will have a great chance of clicking with disadvantaged children who need every incentive to move forward in life. The investment — however large — is worth it. (To read Shawn Cunix’s incredible story as an entrepreneur and philanthropist, please click the link below.