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A local nonprofit donated two laptops to the children’s center at the Genieve Shelter.

The nonprofit organization I.N.S.P.I.R.E.D. made the donation. At the center, the staff can use these laptops for tutorials to help children in emergency situations and other children in the community they help who are struggling with virtual learning during COVID-19.

“I would like to thank Mr. Leary on behalf of the Genieve Shelter for thinking of these children, and for providing computers to help them during this season of virtual learning,” said Marleisa Montgomery, executive director at the shelter.

The Genieve Shelter provides a safe refuge and supportive environment for victims of domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault and human trafficking. It also provides information, education and training services that have a focus on ending the cycle of violence.

The laptop donations are the third donation that I.N.S.P.I.R.E.D. has done in partnership with the Genieve Shelter since I.N.S.P.I.R.E.D. started in November 2018. In November 2019, the organization donated three baskets of food to the shelter for Thanksgiving.

Leary started the nonprofit I.N.S.P.I.R.E.D. while incarcerated. The acronym stands for: Imagination Never Sleeps, Pure Inspiration Recognizes Every Dream. Leary hopes he can use this nonprofit to help as many children as he can be successful.

“He always wanted to do something with children; it is his passion,” said Verjena Jones, Leary’s grandmother, who donated the laptops on his behalf.

Leary hopes to work with children and has furthered his education to do so. He earned a diploma from Stratford Career Institute based around early childhood education, and recently he completed the parenting cognitive life skill course from the American Community Corrections Institute. Leary is now enrolled at Stratford Career Institute for a degree in child psychology and another in child daycare management.

“Every Monday, he posts an inspirational quote on his Facebook page,” said Jones. “He just wants to be an encouragement to the children.”