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For many families, the start of summer means registering for day camp or out of school care. For Jaramial Lee, it means processing those applications and planning a summer program. Lee is the director of operations at A.C.H.I.E.V.E., the non-profit enrichment program founded by the late Alonzo Virgil.
This is what I was born to do, Lee has said about his work. His ties to A.C.H.I.E.V.E. run deep. After graduating from Norwalk High School, Lee left the area to attend Winston-Salem State University but stayed in touch with Virgil, his mentor. It was Virgil, after all, who had pushed him to become class president, take the SATs and go to college. During his senior year, he called and asked Lee to return home after graduation. He had a full-time job waiting for him.
Barely a year later, in 2008, Virgil died suddenly at the age of 39. A.C.H.I.E.V.E., which stands for All Children Have the Intelligence Enthusiasm and Values to Excel, continued under the direction of Tonya Williams. Lee continues as director of operations though he now has a graduate degree in public administration.
His enthusiasm bubbles over as he talks about A.C.H.I.E.V.E.'s all-day summer program that will be held at Jefferson Elementary School. Designed for students from kindergarten through eighth grade, activities will include cooking, art, academic support and, new this year, Spanish. Every day, Lee says he works to insure other children receive the same support and encouragement he received.
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