NEST: A Lifeline for Success in the Classroom

As we near the start of the new school year, Loveland Daily News is looking at the people and organizations in our community that work diligently to make sure no child is without the resources needed to be successful in the classroom. Last week, we featured the back-to-school event sponsored by Loveland LIFE Pantry, providing school supplies and personal care items for students and families in need. This week, we take a closer look at Loveland’s NEST Community Learning Center.

NEST (Nutrition, Education, Safety, Transformation) Community Learning Center was founded in 2016 by retired school teacher Evangeline DeVol to tackle academic and nutritional gaps for at-risk children in Loveland neighborhoods. Today, services provided by NEST include after-school tutoring and homework assistance, mobile preschool “study buses,” summer camp, organized sports and outdoor activities, nutrition support throughout the year, and referrals to other support resources as needs are identified. All services are available to students enrolled in Loveland City Schools with needs based on income and academic challenges. NEST is funded completely by private donations – from both individuals and organizations.

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Photo credit: NEST CLC 

Initially, NEST was entirely a mobile learning and nutrition initiative, utilizing an RV driven directly to low-income apartment complexes in Loveland to provide after-school food, tutoring, and homework help. In 2025, NEST shifted to a deeper onsite partnership with Loveland City Schools, using space in Loveland school buildings for its after-school tutoring and homework assistance for students in grades 1-6. NEST pays LCSD for bus service to get enrolled students home after the program.

According to NEST Executive Director Laurie Reagan, transition to providing services in the school has proven to be a significant move. “When our services were provided solely via bus, we experienced 17% attendance among the students registered for the program,” explained Reagan. “In our first year providing services at school, attendance jumped to 88%. There is much more accountability and less opportunity to opt out when attending on school property.” 

NEST still utilizes mobile units for its Early Learning/Preschool Program for three to five-year-olds. “Study buses” go to low-income housing developments two days a week, delivering a mini preschool on the bus. “Our mobile preschool enables little ones to fall in love with ‘school’ while home is just a few steps away,” said Reagan, “with the goal of guiding our students through early intervention to achieve Kindergarten Assessment success!”

 Photo credit: NEST CLC 

A key component of the after-school program is nutrition, which goes well beyond an after-school “snack.” NEST provides participating students with a nutritious meal that includes an entrée/protein, veggies, fresh fruit and snacks. The vast majority of food (87%) comes from the Loveland LIFE pantry and is served to students by Reagan and volunteers.

The approaching school year means a high activity level for NEST. In addition to registering students for the coming year, NEST staff is meeting with Loveland City School leadership, teachers, intervention specialists, and the new resource coordinator to identify the students in need of services, determine the specific services needed, and get a baseline of each student’s current academic performance.

Reagan reflected on the role of the organization today and in the future. “NEST is more than education and nutrition. We support families in many ways, on many fronts, and we will be here for these students and families until they cross the stage at graduation,” she explained. “We are here for transformation.”

NEST Exec. Dtr. Laurie Reagan

Interested in volunteering or donating to NEST Community Learning Center? Visit the NEST website.