Community Investment Fund Spotlight: On Purpose Academy

Get ready to be inspired! Learn to Earn Dayton Communications Intern, Caitlyn Russell, is sharing exclusive stories from the recipients of our Community Investment Fund. Discover the innovative ways these investments are shaping a brighter future for Dayton.

Starting in 2015, Kim Jarvis had a mission. What began as a modest outreach program for young girls, quickly grew into something bigger, On Purpose Academy and Mentoring Center (OPAMC) is a co-ed preschool focused on delivering education services for early childhood and school-aged children. OPAMC is more than a classroom, it is a catalyst for growth. Their mission is to elevate and inspire preschoolers and youth to be focused, purposeful, and resilient. They achieve this through a robust, research-based curriculum delivered in a fun and engaging environment that actively promotes the exploration of new ideas. Their staff now serves 75 preschoolers annually and graduates nearly half of them each year.

One source of organizational funding has come from Learn to Earn Dayton’s Community Investment Fund (CIF), supported by Blue Meridian Partners and local philanthropic organizations. CIF's mission to enhance education, well-being, and economic mobility in Northwest Dayton aligns with OPAMC's goals. CIF has supported OPAMC through two rounds of investment.

While OPAMC embraces all children, they have additional focus on supporting neurodivergent students. The second round of CIF funding was instrumental in expanding their child development specialist program. As Jarvis explains, "Initial funding led us to do this open class exploration, but it wasn't the perfect model. So with the second round, we learned that let's do the training in-house and then deploy."

Instead of trying to serve every child within their walls, On Purpose Academy and Mentoring Center is now training its staff to reach children in various centers. Their "pulling" technique focuses on providing real-time emotional support. When a child is experiencing an emotionally stressful moment, staff members gently pull them aside to talk through their feelings and equip them with tools to self-regulate and calm down.

The work of OPAMC is impactful. Jarvis shares a powerful story about Student A, a young boy who arrived at their facility struggling with extreme emotional regulation. "On a scale of 1 to 10, he was a 10," Jarvis recalls. "He would escalate quickly, and we were meeting with him weekly." Through consistent support and one-on-one attention, Student A learned to manage his emotions. "Now, I’d say he’s at a 4. Not perfect, but he's using his tools. He recognizes that time with the child development specialist is a safe space to express himself." Student A is now confidently heading to kindergarten, a testament to OPAMC's transformative approach.

OPAMC is not just addressing current needs; they are also pioneering innovative solutions to today’s childcare crisis. Their newest initiative, "Pop-Up Preschool", is a mobile early learning program that partners directly with companies and underserved communities to provide high-quality, on-site childcare. "We want to be a solution," Jarvis states. "Not just for families needing high quality childcare, but also for those interested in providing childcare but don’t have the resources. We can help train and equip them with less financial burden." This proactive approach is a game-changer for families and communities struggling with childcare access.

Looking ahead, OPAMC is embarking on a new chapter with the construction of The Early Learning and Wellness Center on Main - what they will affectionately call The Well. This integrated facility will serve as a forward-facing agency, continuing their Early Childcare work while offering Mental and Behavioral Health services and support services for the entire family. The Well will provide access to more resources, providers, and child development specialists, creating a hub for family well-being. "We just want to keep doing what we're doing, but on a larger scale to be more effective to impact more kids," according to Jarvis.

This year, On Purpose Academy and Mentoring Center was honored with the Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Ethics Integrity Award. Their journey is a powerful example of how dedication, innovation, and community partnerships can profoundly change lives. Their commitment to nurturing children, empowering families, and building a stronger community truly sets them apart.