Evelyn Alvarado shares her Food Brings Hope story
From Staff Reports
Daytona Beach News-Journal USA TODAY NETWORK
ABOUT THIS SERIES: Founded in 2007, Food Brings Hope provides afterschool programs in 27 schools in Volusia County and two in Flagler County. The programs provide at-risk students opportunities to improve grades, have fun, and receive nourishing food. Throughout the holidays, The News-Journal is highlighting the program by publishing the stories of some of its young participants. For more information, visit foodbringshope.org.
My name is Evelyn Alvarado. I am 12 years old and attend Taylor Middle High School here in Pierson where I am in the seventh grade. I started attending Food Brings Hope's KidsZone Program in the third grade and now I attend as a middle-schooler along with my mom who is in the adult English class. I have one brother, Carlos. He is a ninthgrader at Taylor M/H who does not attend because he has more homework than I do.
Math is my favorite subject because I am getting better at it and my grades are improving. Some students do not like math because they think it is hard.
I would like to go to the Army after graduating from high school. It will take a lot of hard work, but this is my goal.
My favorite FBH field trips last year were going to the News-Journal Center for the holiday concert and going to the Embry Riddle basketball game. It was a nice trip because my brother and mother attended, too.
Christmas is my favorite time of year. I love the lights, decorations and spending time with my family. I would love to
give my mom a statue or plaque that says Best Mom because she is the best mom in the world. She buys me things that I need and want before buying anything for herself. She is a very caring and loving mom. She works hard and then comes to English class to learn.
Christmas morning, we wake up early — around midnight. We open all our gifts and then go back to bed. I hope I get AirPods and the iPhone X phone case for Christmas. Clothes would be a nice gift, too. After we wake up again, we get ready for our family cookout. Breakfast is shrimp with sandwiches, and for dinner we have fish.
The Food Brings Hope Program to me is not only a place to grow, but also a place to have fun. It is that place where you get help on projects, homework and that final push. The teachers sit down with you to help you and they tell you to use the FBH Homework Hotline for extra help and to improve my grades. Food Brings Hope is a good program for my family.
