The program helped 92% of students maintain or improve their ELA standardized test scores and 7% move from below proficiency to approaching, meeting, or exceeding proficiency. Furthermore, according to DCPS school-day teachers, because of Kid Power programming, 63% of Kid Power showed improvements in regular classroom attendance, 43% showed an improvement in academic performance, and 51% showed an improvement in classroom participation.
Our Programs
Our Impact

The program helped students increase their civic knowledge, ability to design a service-learning project, and their confidence with debate and public speaking skills by 21%. Further, 73% of students reported increased understanding of the importance of helping others and 95% of parents said Kid Power helped their child understand the importance of community service.
Students showed a 17% increase in their nutritional, environmental science, and gardening knowledge. Highlights included a 32% increase in students’ ability to identify different parts of a plant and a 16% increase in healthy food knowledge. 95% of parents reported that because of Kid Power programming, their students both understand the importance of making healthy food choices and able to make healthier food choices. Additionally, 91% of parents reported that their children now help cook healthy meals at home. In terms of social-emotional growth, 95% of parents said that their children have better conflict resolution skills, while 68% of surveyed students said that they have better self-confidence. Additionally, 73% of youth demonstrated increased positive social behaviors, such as assertiveness, while 67% showed increased creativity
On average, positive social-emotional scores increase 3% over the summer. Our daily Summer Leadership Academy serves 125 students and runs 7 hours/day for 5 weeks. Students participate in morning academic classes (ELA, Math, and Civics) and afternoon enrichment sessions based on the VeggieTime and Citizenship Programs. The Academy provides workforce development skills such as public speaking, marketing, financial literacy, team-building, and goal-setting. In just 5 short weeks, Kid Power saw significant growth.
Social Media
Today’s the day! Meet our student chefs and last Chef for Taste of the Garden! Eco Caters and SuperFd Executive Chef, Kid Power Board Member, and youth advocate Chef Robbie will be competing in the cooking competition! Join us tonight at the District Architecture Center from 6 pm-9 pm for an incredible evening. We are so excited for tonight and cannot wait to celebrate with you all! #TasteoftheGarden #10thTOG #20thAnniversary
TOMORROW is the Taste of the Garden and it is officially hockey season! Now is your chance to bid on two seats in section 103 and a signed puck from @tomwilson. Cheer on the @capitals and support Kid Power! To see a full list of auction items visit the link in our bio or visit https://one.bidpal.net/tog2022! #TasteoftheGarden #10thTOG #20thAnniversary
We are just 2 days away from our 10th Annual Taste of the Garden! Are you ready for the event of the year?! You don’t want to miss this chance to experience a competitive cooking competition, bid on silent auction items, enjoy a delicious meal, and get inspired! Join us THIS WEDNESDAY, October 19th, as we celebrate Kid Power’s 20th Anniversary, featuring DC's finest chefs Elyssa Kaplan, Robbie Wood, and Tyenella Hall. We are also presenting the 2022 Excellence in Leadership Award to Senator Chris Murphy. We cannot wait for you to join us as we take a walk down memory lane! Visit the link in our bio or https://one.bidpal.net/tog2022/welcome #TasteOfTheGarden #10thTOG #20thAnniversary
Thank you @servedc! Kid Power was awarded a Serve DC AmeriCorps State Grant of $113,844 to support 5 full-time Americorps Site Coordinators. This position will support day-to-day logistics related to running our After-School programs, in addition to a Volunteer Coordinator, who will assist with volunteer support, recruitment, and training across all of our core programs. We are so grateful for our AmeriCorps members and thrilled to continue our partnership! #CommunityPartner #Grateful #DCYouth
We are thrilled to announce Ashely Hunter as our new Program Manager OST Operations! Ashley started with Kid Power in 2019 as an After-School Instructor and quickly began utilizing her skills to support the day-to-day program operations. She is determined and motivated to impact underserved communities by advocating and implementing a well-structured program that will provide adequate resources and services for families. Ashley is currently enrolled at @savannahstate working on her Bachelor’s in Business Management and Administration. #KPChampion #DCYouth #Youth Advocate
The Taste of the Garden is around the corner, and there is still time to purchase tickets, bid on auction items, and participate in the raffle! Need help planning the perfect date night? Look no further! Start the evening with a delicious farm-to-table dinner at Founding Farmers then top the night off at the opening night performance of Ride the Cyclone at the Arena Stage. To see a full list of auction items visit the link in our bio or visit https://one.bidpal.net/tog2022! #TasteoftheGarden #10thTOG #20thAnniversary
PHOTO OF THE WEEK:
Our students had a beautiful time outside today! They loved seeing how plants can grow in cold weather!
Are you looking to make a difference in the lives of DC students? Become an In-School Literacy Tutor. Our High Impact Tutoring Program is a great opportunity for college students, retirees, and community advocates to implement a research-based literacy program that will improve the reading ability, school engagement, and self-confidence of local youth. Compensation is available from $16 per hour. Learn more in our bio or https://indeedhi.re/3ePBySe
Join us as we welcome Kid Power’s new High Impact Tutoring Director, Sarah Pasqualini! Sarah grew up in Connecticut and graduated from The University of Alabama with a dual certification in Elementary and Special Education. She began her teaching career as a Teach For America member in Atlanta, GA, and has been an educator for 8 years, with a focus on literacy instruction and serving students with disabilities. Sarah is passionate about building authentic relationships with students and families and supporting the whole child. Welcome, Sarah! #KPChampion #DCYouth #Youth Advocate
The Taste of the Garden is JUST 16 days away and we can’t wait for you to join us IN PERSON for an evening filled with an interactive walk down memory lane, demonstrations from renowned chefs, delicious hor’s d'oeuvres, plus so much more! We are excited to announce that our silent auction and raffle are now live! Don’t miss out on the chance to enter our raffle for an incredible day at Barrel Oak Winery or a Scavenger Hunt and Dinner with Let’s Roam. We have something for everyone to enjoy and we are adding items weekly. Get your raffle tickets today! Visit https://one.bidpal.net/tog2022
VOICES OF KID POWER: Board Chair Member Gregory Henderson shares what he wants the community to know about Kid Power along with his favorite Kid Power moments!
Send us your video of your favorite Kid Power memory or show your support for Kid Power and our 20th Anniversary. https://www.kidpowerdc.org/donate/ #20thAnniversary #KPDC #KidPowerDC #BeTheDifference
Do you love collaborating with others and working with a team? Do you love working with young people? Then we are looking for YOU! To learn more about the After-school Instructor position visit the link in our bio or: https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Kid-Power,-Inc.-1/jobs
#Hiring #Nonprofit #JobOpportunity #KidPowerDC #WorkingWithYouth
We are so excited to announce that Chef Tyenella Hall is our second featured Chef for our 10th Annual Taste of the Garden! Tyenella has been passionate about cooking since the age of 8 when she started cooking with her Nana. After high school, Tyenella joined the Army. It wasn’t until her Nana died and she finished her tours that Tyenella went to work in the kitchen. Chef Tyenella expressed “cooking saved my life,” dealing with PTSD and the loss of her Nana, she used her Nana’s handwritten recipes as a form of healing. Chef Tyenella is known for her delicious comfort foods that are designed to take you on a trip around the world.
Enjoy Chef Tyenella’s food in person on October 19th! Get your tickets in our bio today and enjoy this inspiring event! Tickets include access to the cooking competition, open bar, heavy appetizers, and silent auction. #TasteOfTheGarden #10thTOG #20thAnniversary
Food Network’s Chopped contestant Chef Elyssa Kaplan will be one of our featured Chefs at the 10th Annual Taste of the Garden! As the Director of Culinary at the World Central Kitchen @wckitchen, Elyssa is known for her decade of culinary experience in restaurants and bakeries beginning with a Cuisine Diploma from the Le Cordon Bleu in Paris @lecordonbleuparis. Elyssa, @elyssa.rose was the private chef for New England Patriots Wide-Receiver, Julian Edelman @edelman11, and has experience working under the tutelage of Chefs Yannick Alleno @yannickalleno, Alain Ducasse @alainducasse, Tony Maws, Ken Oringer @kenoringer, and Jamie Bissonette @jamiebiss
Since joining World Central Kitchen’s Relief Team in 2019 after Hurricane Dorian, Elyssa found a sense of purpose in hands-on food education. Experience Chef Elyssa’s food up close and join Kid Power for an evening of culinary delight! Get your tickets in our bio today! #TasteOfTheGarden #10thTOG #20thAnniversary
PHOTO OF THE WEEK:
It is always great seeing our Kid Power family out and about!
Want to learn more about our one-to-one community-based mentoring program? Sign up for a Family Information Session and get the chance to ask questions, hear from current youth involved in the program, and meet our team. Youth must attend with a parent or guardian. The Family Information Sessions will be held virtually on Monday, September 26th at 6 pm, Monday, October 3rd at 6pm and Thursday, October 20th at 6pm. #MentoringMatters #FamilyInfoSession #DCYouth Sign up here: https://bit.ly/3xoxNJM
We are so excited to announce our new Instructional Coach Brittany Wingfield! Brittany has served multiple roles at Kid Power and first began her journey in 2018 as an After-School Instructor. Brittany attended @radfordu where she obtained her Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in Education and History. Brittany is determined to ensure every team member feels confident and has an impactful classroom experience by supporting behavior management, classroom management, and helping implement fun and engaging activities for our youth to enjoy! #KPChampion #DCYouth #Youth Advocate
We’re hiring! To learn more about our AmeriCorps Site Coordinator and Volunteer Coordinator positions visit https://indeedhi.re/3dlQUgE
#Hiring #Nonprofit #AmeriCorps #JobOpportunity #KidPowerDC #WorkingWithYouth
Join us as we welcome Ben Picciano to our Advisory Board! Ben is an Account Executive at Keller Partners & Company, a government relations firm that serves public and private nonprofit organizations. He has conducted academic research projects focused on safety net policies, social welfare, and economic mobility and has studied evidence-based strategies for improving life and career outcomes for underserved youth. Ben joins the Kid Power Advisory Board with experience in grant writing, policy advocacy, and strategic development and shares a passion for supporting positive youth development through academic advancement and civic engagement.
#KPChampion #AdvisoryBoard #DCYouth #CommunityPartner #Grateful
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK:
We could not limit ourselves to just one picture! We love seeing all the amazing artwork done by our youth! #KidPowerDC #DCYouth #AmazingArtist
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