Tashai Hatton’s kitchen table is where she does her homework, arts and crafts, and where her grandmother and family gather to give her all the support she needs.

When Tanisha Harvey looks at her granddaughter Tashai, she thinks of all the progress that she’s made.

Last year, Hatton was in the fourth grade with a second grade reading level. And outside of school, things weren’t any easier. Hatton’s mother became ill and was unable to take care of her.

“She actually had a cardiac arrest at 33. That was very traumatic, then her losing her home and being estranged from her dad,” said Harvey.

That’s when Harvey stepped in. She brought Hatton to live with her and enrolled her in the Girls Inc. afterschool program in Schenectady.

“They helped the family move with her through this hard time, through some domestic violence abuse in her household,” said Harvey.

Harvey says the program changed her granddaughter’s life. After a year, Hatton transitioned out of her special education classes and earned the recognition of Girls Inc. “Girl of the Year.”

“She’s resilient, a good role model, and she’s the best granddaughter a nana could ever have,” said Harvey.

“What I like about Girls Inc. is to have fun and to learn,” said Hatton, who is going into fifth grade.

The family says getting to this point required all hands on deck.

“I can’t even put into words how proud I am; she’s done so good. To see two trophies in front of me shows me how far she’s come,” said Alianah Delagrandeanse, Hatton’s aunt.