A Better World is an after-school program for at-risk kids who live in troubled homes and neighborhoods. We equip them with the skills and confidence to be responsible adults by nurturing their physical, academic and spiritual development. The kids who stick with our program are guaranteed a positive, life-changing experience.
ABW was founded in 2001 by Pastor Ken Gilliard and Forest Hill Church, who identified a need for positive, educational after-school programs in Charlotte. When the program began, it provided eight students with after-school enrichment programming two days a week. Pastor Ken has worked tirelessly with his team to grow the program over the last 16 years and serve the community daily since then.
Pastor Ken founded A Better World in 2001 with the vision that giving kids a safe place to go and learn after school, while also helping their families by giving them invaluable tools and resources, would better the community as a whole. Every day, Pastor Ken is mentoring, watching over and teaching the kids of A Better World life lessons that will serve them academically,...
Before her time as A Better World’s Program Coordinator, Kamilah attended Western Carolina University and was a professional track and...
Anthony was born in Danvers, Massachusetts and attended the University of Maine, graduating with a degree in Journalism in 2016....
Britannia’s spirit and laugh are what make snack and dinner time special for the kids. She has an innate ability...
Beyonka is a South Carolina native who has lived in Charlotte for three years now. She graduated from Clemson and...
Sheena Harper joined ABW at the beginning of the the 2018 school year. She graduated from Catawba college in 2012...
Brian Miller’s easygoing nature and patience made him an immediate fit at A Better World. Born and raised in Durham,...
Ms. Williams has been a teacher for 16 years-14 in Jamaica and 2 in the United States. Her experience is...
Carol Bates grew up in Cincinatti, Ohio and attended Miami University, graduating with a degree in Library Science. After working...
KEN GILLIARD
Founder
DEAN PURVIS
Bank of America (Retired)
Board Chair
WILLIAM LIPPINCOTT
CannonCassidy
Board Co-Chair
WENDY SMOLEN
Attorney & Community Volunteer
Board Secretary
SANDY MCCASLAN
Christ Resurrection Church
Board Treasurer
GREG CLEWIS
Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools (Retired)
LAURA GENNINGS
Deloitte Tax
BILL HESTER
Associated Real Estate Advisors
Craig Miller
Community Volunteer
Kristina Hitchens
DeVita Kavanagh Dotson, of Northwestern Mutual
YVETTE PARSONS
Community Volunteer
CATHY PURVIS
Fidelity Investments (Retired)
SEVONE RHYNES
Duke Energy (Retired)
Anybody can volunteer to work with kids in A Better World from the hours of 2:30-6:00 Monday-Friday. Volunteers can become a reading buddy, work with kids as a one-on-one tutor or help teachers as a classroom assistant. If you can’t make a weekly commitment, we also need volunteers to assist in our Family Fun nights once a month on Thursdays through the school months from 6-8:30p.
