Aryan

Aryan has lived at Las Flores Apartments for most of his life, with his father Lorenzo and his mother Yesenia. During this time, Lorenzo made the significant decision to return to school, while his wife continued to work, supporting their family. Aryan faced unique challenges during his first year in kindergarten, which coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic. Transitioning to online learning on a tablet was particularly difficult for him, especially as he was undergoing speech therapy at the time. The lack of in-person learning initially hindered his progress.

However, with the dedication of our Family and Children’s Program mentors, Aryan received personalized assistance, significantly improving his speech and overall learning.

After a year in a predominantly Spanish curriculum, the decision was made to switch Aryan to an English program. The change was transformative. By the time he reached third grade, Aryan had progressed so remarkably that he no longer required speech therapy and was being considered for removal from his Individualized Education Program (IEP). 

Lorenzo credits not only his own efforts but also the invaluable support of ACOF’s after-school program for Aryan’s incredible progress. The patience and tailored approach of the program mentors made a profound impact, helping Aryan advance both academically and personally. His reading skills have soared, and he’s now able to read confidently. Aryan’s affinity for problem-solving and his love for building, especially with Legos, hint at a budding interest in mechanical engineering.

This story was collected in 2023.