Highlands native Timmy McDowell is a junior at Christ School in Asheville. | Photo courtesy of The Literacy and Learning Center
For many students, the end of the school day marks a transition from one kind of stress to another. But for Timmy McDowell, a former student of The Literacy & Learning Center’s After-school program, those afternoons provided the foundation for a future he never thought possible. Now a high-achieving junior at an all-boys boarding school in Asheville, North Carolina, on a full-ride scholarship, Timmy credits his success in part to the time spent at the Center.
A Place of Belonging and Balance
When reflecting on his time at the Center, the first memory that comes to Timmy’s mind is the simple joy of jumping off the school bus with friends and racing to the snack tables. “It sounds simple, but those afternoons meant a lot to me,” he recalls. After long school days, TL&LC provided a safe environment where he could relax, finish homework, and enjoy being a kid.
This dedicated afternoon time did more than improve Timmy’s grades; it brought peace to his home life. By finishing assignments at the Center, he no longer brought academic stress back to his family. “My family didn’t have to worry about whether I had done what I needed to do,” he says. “That gave us more time to relax together and just enjoy being a family”.
Overcoming Frustration through Support
Before joining the program, Timmy admits he struggled to care about homework and often skipped it entirely. Geometry was a particular hurdle. However, the patient one-on-one attention from volunteers like Miss Jan and tutors like Mrs. Bennet changed his perspective.
They taught Timmy how to break down complex subjects and manage his time—skills he still uses today to maintain a 4.4 GPA while competing at a national level in cross country and track and field. “The tutors didn’t give up on me,” he explains. “They showed me how to break things down and actually understand what I was learning”.
The “Win” That Changed Everything
Timmy’s hard work paid off quickly. After just one year in the program, he made the A/B Honor Roll—a feat he repeated every year he remained at the Center. This “win” proved to him that, with proper support and effort, he could achieve academic excellence.
Today, as he balances the demands of elite athletics and rigorous academics, Timmy has a clear message for current students and the donors who support them: To Students: The work put in now can open doors never thought possible. To Donors: Donors and volunteers give students opportunities, confidence, and support that they might not have anywhere else. Timmy is living proof that it makes a lasting impact.
To learn more about The Literacy & Learning Center’s programs, contact Caroline Cox at ccox@theliteracyandlearningcenter.org or 828-526-0863 or visit TheLiteracyandLearningCenter.org.
- Anna Norton
The Literacy & Learning Center