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,...
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...
Pastor Ken founded A Better World in 2001 with the vision that giving kids a safe place to go and...
Valene has been a teacher at A Better World for two years now. She has a gift for connecting with...
Ms. Kirkpatrick, or Ms. K to the kids, is a teacher at Olympic High School. She enjoys helping the kids...
DeAndria joined us in February of 2020 and has made an instant impact on our community. DeAndria graduated from Winston-Salem...
Carol Bates grew up in Cincinatti, Ohio and attended Miami University, graduating with a degree in Library Science. After working...
KEN GILLIARD
Founder
WILLIAM LIPPINCOTT
CannonCassidy
CATHY PURVIS
Fidelity Investments (Retired)
WENDY SMOLEN
Attorney & Community Volunteer
Board Secretary
SANDY MCCASLAN
Christ Resurrection Church
Board Treasurer
BILL HESTER
Associated Real Estate Advisors
CRAIG MILLER
Community Volunteer
Board Chair
KRISTINA HITCHENS
Consolidated Planning
DEAN PURVIS
Bank of America (Retired)
Past Board Chair
DAN MCGEE
Barings
YVETTE PARSONS
Community Volunteer
KIM DEATON
Community Volunteer
THOM KLINGMAN
CBI
CARL FOCHLER
Real Estate Developer
Board Co-Chair
Gavin Shuck
Truist Advisory Group
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.
