Delray's Learning Site celebrates renovated opening of building

By David DiPino | Forum Publishing Group

Seven-year-old Joseph Terarutyunyan has been going to the Learning Site in Delray Beach for more than a year, even before the building was remodeled. He formed friendships with 12-year-olds who he mentored with his actions and dedication.

Earlier this month Joseph did Tae Kwon Do demonstrations on the beach in Fort Lauderdale, raising money for a van for the Learning Site. He carries around a glass pickle jar with a slit in the lid for people to donate.

Joseph was honored Nov. 28 at a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the grand opening of a new building at the Learning Site.

C. Ron Allen, founder of the Knights of Pythagoras Mentoring Network Inc., gave a speech to open a newly renovated building on the campus of the Delray Full Service Center, 301 SW 14th Ave.

"We're here to celebrate a dream coming to reality. The Learning Site has a unique mission to empower our people to become the leaders of tomorrow," Allen said. "It's about taking chances."

The Learning Site aims to help students with math, reading, writing and science. But starting out the Learning Site is a few bare rooms with donated couches, a few donated computers and small work areas. It exists on the hard work of several volunteers who work more than 40 hours a week. Some of the students need clothes. They need an air-conditioning unit and a van for field trips.

"I've spent nights picking up clothes from 6 to 10 p.m. West Palm Beach to Margate," said operations manager Barbara Haider.

Sometimes the volunteers only have pretzels to give the children as snacks.

But the Learning Site needs more to supply the youths that have chosen to make life-changing choices of earning an education and staying out of trouble.

"The goal is to take chances on a young face that has given up," Allen told the crowd at the ceremony.

For information about the Learning Site, visit www.kopmn.org or call 561-655-0151.