Lee’s Summit grad aims to help kids in after-school program become ‘better people’

For Lorenzo Harrison, guiding kids through before- and after-school care at Hawthorn Hill Elementary School is part of his calling — one that a pandemic can’t change.

The Lee’s Summit North grad has been a site coordinator at the school since August and feels like he’s become part of the community. Though he can’t see the kids in person right now, he still wants them to also feel like they’re part of the community.

“I miss them all very much. I don’t know what to do,” he said. “I’m used to seeing children all day and hearing stories of what happened the day before.”

Even though he’s missing those day-to-day interactions, he’s finding ways to connect.

“He’s sent videos since we’ve been on virtual learning to keep doing positive things in the home, do chores and wash hands. Lorenzo wants very much to help lead these kids into being better people,” said Christy Barger, whose son, Marshall, is in the program.

She appreciates the enthusiasm Harrison brings to his work.

“Lorenzo has found a place where he’s really shining,” she said. “You can see the joy he finds in going above and beyond.”

Before this, he’d worked with children in the Upper Room summer program in Kansas City. Harrison has about a year left before finishing his degree in elementary education.

He likes that the after-school program has ways to include students with special needs.

Once, the cooking club was attempting to make pancakes and sausage, and a boy with special needs jumped in with everyone else to try it.

“There was a person guiding and helping him. No one was trying to push him away,” Harrison said. “He may not understand what’s happening, but he really wants to do it.”

One of the things parents love about the program is the different choices of activities for the kids. Harrison asked around to get everyone’s top choices, which include clubs talking about sports, Pokémon, science, creative writing, community service, cooking and health.

During the three-hour after school program, students also have the option to do STEM activities, read quietly, do arts and crafts, make videos and more. Harrison typically has 78 kids on his watch.

The kids sometimes want to include him in their activities.

“They have tried to get me to do TikTok with them. Mr. Lorenzo is not that kind of person,” he said.

He finds his situation unique in the education environment.

“My role in the building is quite different than everyone else’s. I have parent interaction twice a day. Teachers and principals, sometimes they can’t get hold of the parents — sometimes I’m that person that’s transferring a message,” Harrison said. “I built a trust with all our families.”

That trust came from his continual interaction with pretty much everyone.

“I am constantly talking to teachers and staff, making my presence known in the building. … If I know a student isn’t doing well, I talk to their teacher, so they can get a good start before they even get to class. If a student is having a bad day, they can come talk to me,” he said.

His day is split into two shifts: 6:20 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

“Sometimes throughout the day, I’ll step in in a volunteer role and help out where I’m needed if I’m available,” he said.

Now that the school is closed, Harrison is still finding ways to connect. He took all the leftover snack supplies he had for the program and made food parcels.

“I immediately reached out to my families first. … I put packs together and hand-delivered them to their homes,” Harrison said.

The parcels, which he distributed to 18 families, included items such as milk, juice and breakfast bars. Families who weren’t in need themselves tipped him off to those who might need it, especially those who are caring for foster kids.

“This was at the time when you couldn’t find milk on the shelves or anything,” he said.

He hopes his emphasis on community service will take root with the students in his program and inspire them to also give back to their community.

“I feel like I’m doing the good I’m supposed to do. I’m not trying to get famous. I’m just doing what I’m supposed to be doing.”