It's a modest storefront along Belmont Avenue, but inside Elite Learners, Inc. aims to help the community through a variety of services.

Founders Camara Jackson and Orie Bennett are from Brownsville and knew the area needed help, but there was nowhere to turn.

Jackson and Bennett formed Elite Learners, Inc. in 2016 to help out their neighborhood.

"There wasn’t support. There was no after-school programs, technology was limited and you know, students just needed another outlet,” says Jackson.

Jackson and Bennett grew up in the neighborhood and witnessed friends that fell astray. They felt many youth needed guidance.

“A lot of people grow up in single-family homes, with just their mother, their father is incarcerated, or you know their big brother is doing this, that and the third and they're not really getting attention or listening to them,” says Bennett.

The nonprofit serves Brownsville, East New York and East Flatbush with after-school programs and tutoring. 

"They help me with my writing and my reading, especially my reading,” says Willow Nicolas, of Brownsville.

Parents can also get help like job support and computer literacy classes.

More importantly, it's a sanctuary for the community.

“It's a place where you don’t need to feel like scared or anything, like you just come in, say ‘Hi, I need help with this,’ and you'll get help,” says Aaliss Osidele, student advocate.

Jackson and Bennett say there is currently just the one location, but they would love to expand to other neighborhoods that need it.