Leon Watkins

* I read with joy your wonderful article on Leon Watkins, the hard-working, South-Central-based volunteer and current Executive Director of Los Angeles Cities in Schools (Sept. 4). I joined LACS as a mentor to a fifth-grade student earlier this year. My first meeting with Watkins came at a time when he was interested in reaching out to younger children, via a mentor program. It became clear that both he and LACS had a positive agenda toward guiding children while they are young.

With Watkins’ support, I worked with a boy from Watts. While we came from different backgrounds, he latched onto the idea that this program and our relationship together would only benefit him. We met once a week at LACS and took many outside trips to broaden his horizons.

The culmination of our time together was best stated in the last report card he received before summer vacation. His teacher simply stated that the boy’s “self-esteem has improved tremendously and he was a joy to be with.”

That one sentence speaks a thousand words about the LACS mentor program and is good proof that one person can help change a child’s life. Watkins knows this and his recognition is not only justified, but an excellent award to a job well done.

DAVID KOBRIN

Hollywood