How Community Partnerships Help Children Thrive

“What is your greatest need right now and how can we help you meet that, even if it’s cleaning floors, sorting back to school supplies, or landscaping for your new space? We just want to serve with you in whatever way helps carry out the mission."  These words were a life-giving gift that demonstrate what is possible when over a dozen surrounding churches and community partners step in to serve one another in love in the name of Jesus.  The L4 afterschool program is so much more than just a partnership with Linden children and their families to build literacy skills--it's a family built on lifting up Jesus, sharing His story and walking through life together in Him. 

Linden Life Learning and Literacy (L4) began 7 years ago with just ten children from Windsor Stem Academy being transported after school for mentoring, literacy lessons, a well-balanced meal, Bible lessons, music and art.  As God called more and more people from all different corners of the city to come alongside this vision with their gifts, time, resources, and love, we’ve had the privilege of seeing partnership in the gospel break down barriers and draw people together to learn from and with each other in ways no textbook can teach. 

L4 grew from relationships being built as Linden Life Church (now named

Kingdom Columbus) and kids and staff from Windsor Stem connected on a weekly basis, and trust grew and flourished into what L4 is today.  Young Linden-area graduates ran alongside others from inside and outside their community, merging very diverse cultures and backgrounds but committing to pouring into God’s kids.  Their “yes” to this mission and leadership with commitment, compassion, and Christ-centered love, developed the culture that now demonstrates what walking in step with Jesus looks like in practical day-to-day mentoring even while walking out the struggles of poverty in their own daily lives.  The L4 team has connected through a shared passion for loving kids, sharing who Jesus is, using their gifts to serve others, and leaning on each other through emotionally and physically hard days.  Our Family Engagement Leader, whose child has been an L4 student for six years, said it best:  “L4 is so much more than an organization. It’s a family.”

Thanks to our dedicated partners, we now have 34 children from Windsor Stem jumping into our vans, 15 paid staff, dozens of volunteers, and strong church, school, and Linden-area support.  This diverse team of passionate workers from all across the city has taught us something indescribable about the sweet aroma of those who serve one another in love and grow closer despite unique differences.  Volunteers drive the van, donors bring kids new shoes, partners pray alongside team members through unspoken trials, neighbors prepare hot meals daily for L4 kids, and teachers drop off gas cards to encourage young L4 leaders.  Without this servant leadership, L4 would not be possible. We're excited to add that for the 2026-27 school year we will be partnering with the inspiring hearts at Veritas Community Church for our new site at 345 E. 2nd Avenue.   

Would you like to find out more? Navigate to L4Linden.org to learn all about us, or email colleena@l4linden.org to volunteer or donate.