Brittaney Jackson was looking for an afterschool program to keep her children engaged that also provided a supportive community.
A working mother of four, she wanted her children, Brandin Eason Jr., a first grader, and Denver Eason, a second grader, active and involved in learning after school. At Breakthrough’s Woodland Hills campus, she found Open Doors Academy.
We spoke with Brittaney during the Holiday Dinner last December, and she was eager to share ODA’s impact on her family.
"I like the fact that ODA has activities that engage my kids in a variety of ways and include us as a whole family with events like these, " Brittaney shared. "And it's not like there’s a charge for everything, you know? It helps me with working and helps my kids to socialize with everybody and attend different events."
Brittaney expressed how ODA has become a highlight of Brandin and Denver’s day—a place where they feel excited, engaged, and eager to participate. "They love going to every event," Brittaney said. "If I didn’t make it to an event, they would have been mad. Kids go back to school talking about what they did, and they want to be part of it."
One of the most rewarding aspects for Brittaney has been seeing the positive impact ODA has had on her sons. "They’re happier. They always want to go to school just for ODA," she shared. "It keeps them active, gives them more exercise, more education support, and helps them be more social with everybody."
Looking ahead, Brittaney is excited about summer opportunities with ODA. "An afterschool program that continues into the summer is good," she said. "Some summer camps aren’t great, but with ODA, they’re always doing different activities, meeting new kids, and learning new things."
Beyond the programs, Brittaney appreciates what ODA represents—a community that invests in children and provides opportunities that might not otherwise be accessible. "It keeps the kids active and out of trouble," she said. "I like ODA, and I’d recommend it to other parents, for sure. It’s awesome."
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This article is a part of the March 2025 PINC Newsletter. To read more articles from this newsletter, click here or the button below.
