Ledyard — Three first-generation college graduates who volunteered for the Ledyard community during their youth have translated service into success.

Immigrants Kim Machi, Jerry Machi and Jessica Contreras, who each moved to Ledyard about 20 years ago, attended different universities but stayed connected to the same Ledyard Congregational Church leader.

For Kim and her brother, Jerry, community involvement came at a young age. Their parents, Maximo Machi and Justina Contreras, emigrated from Peru and settled in Ledyard years before to raise children. Maximo and Justina, who have six children including Kim and Jerry, soon began taking them to the after-school programs for homework help.

That's where the Machi family met Janet Barnett, a Ledyard Center Church leader. Barnett began helping the kids with their homework and noticed that they were eager to learn and took advantage of the help.

Kim and Jerry each developed a close relationship with Barnett. Kim became a junior leader in Barnett's 4-H group at age 10 and began volunteering at nursing homes and soup kitchens alongside Barnett. Jerry, having his license, drove others to the library to help with homework.

Kim said Barnett is like a third grandmother to her. She taught her skills such as cooking, sewing and childcare.

"She never once made me feel uncomfortable," Kim said. "She always believed in me and never once looked differently at me for being Peruvian."

Like Kim, Jessica Contreras — who is Kim's cousin — comes from a Peruvian family of eight, was a 4-H leader and grew up spending time with "Miss B," as they refer to Barnett.

Kim just received her master's degree from Columbia University in social work after attending on a full scholarship. Previously, she got a bachelor's degree from the University of Connecticut in psychology and volunteered for AmeriCorps. She is the first of her family to graduate from an Ivy League school.

Jerry is graduating this week with a master's in education and school administration from University of California, Los Angeles. He is a part of the California National Guard and works as a fifth-grade teacher in California.

Jessica Contreras also was in the Connecticut National Guard while attending Eastern Connecticut State University. While earning her bachelor's degree in human resource management, she raised a child and got married. Contreras, who is expecting a second child, graduated alongside her husband, John Maddrah, on May 21.

Kim said that working with Barnett has inspired her to take on other leadership roles. In New York, she coaches a youth cheerleading team of 26 girls. She said that Barnett, her siblings and the Ledyard community gave her values and support to pursue her social work degree.

Each graduate considers Barnett a selfless mentor. Barnett said she keeps in contact with both families, and even attended Contreras' graduation.

The church held a dinner for the graduates in honor of their accomplishments May 30.

"I have such great admiration for how hard they've worked," Barnett said. "It's very impressive."

n.intern@theday.com