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
PHOTO OF THE WEEK! Kid Power had a blast tabling at @labyrinthdc to promote our volunteer and mentoring opportunities within the Ward 6 community. Thank you Labyrinth Games & Puzzles for being an excellent partner over the past year between facilitating this recruitment opportunity and donating to our 2021 Taste of the Garden Fundraiser. #CommunityPartner #KPPartner #Thankful
We had such a blast reuniting with new and old supporters at Kid Power’s Next Generation of Changemakers Event on May 12th celebrating at the beautiful @609h_ne! Kid Power alumna Tajah Franklin, current protégé D’mar Roberts, Program Director Shana Townes, and generous donors Oliver and Leah Fernandez each spoke and addressed how Kid Power has shaped them into the people they are today. This awe-inspiring event could not have been possible without our Board of Directors co-hosts Robin Weisman, Jeri Mulrow, and Peter Slone, and sponsors JJS Advisory Fund, @ecocaters, and @rndcusa. Thank you to all who attended! #20PowerfulYears #KPChampion
BREAKING NEWS! We are beyond thrilled to announce we were awarded a High Impact Tutoring grant from the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) for $1.32 million! Kid Power will implement its High Impact Tutoring (H.I.T) program in three DC Public Schools: Stanton Elementary School, Savoy Elementary School, and Malcolm X Elementary School. Our H.I.T. program aims to increase reading levels, academic and school engagement, self-efficacy, and motivation to learn. Contact Executive Director, Andria Tobin, at [email protected] to learn how to support our expanded H.I.T. Program.
We have a variety of one-time and long-term volunteer opportunities this summer! Volunteer at a Produce Pop-Ups, help clean up a school garden, host a career site visit, and much more! To see the list of the volunteer opportunities we are currently offering, and to express interest visit the link in our bio or https://bit.ly/39pxDce Please reach out to Julia, volunteer coordinator, at [email protected] with any questions! #VolunteerOpportunities #MentorsMatter #Mentoring #KPChampion
There is still time to make an impact! Our goal is to raise $10K by June 30th and thanks to our generous donors we’ve raised $8089.62 so far. Support DC youth today! Congratulations to our randomly chosen raffle winners: Damon Tucker, Rich Harris, and Rick and Susan DiSalvo! If you did not have an opportunity to donate there is still time to make an impact with the link in our bio or https://www.kidpowerdc.org/donate/ #BetterUnited #DCYouth #KPChampion
Happy Juneteenth! Juneteenth also referred to as Freedom Day or Emancipation Proclamation Day commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S. Juneteenth marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. On June 17, 2021, it officially became a federal holiday. Celebrate today as we reflect, honor the lives lost, and take action toward building a more equitable future for everyone. #FightForFreedom #BeTheDifference #Juneteenth
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK:
We couldn’t pick just one all of our seniors are amazing!! Congratulations to our class of 2022! Celebrating our seniors with their mentor matches and families this week was so much fun! We are so incredibly proud of our graduating class!
We are counting down the days until our graduation celebration. Today we are highlighting D’mar! He is not only graduating from the Mentors, Inc. @ Kid Power program but he was also an alum of Kid Power and is currently working with the Kid Power team to increase mentor recruitment! He has continued to inspire us with his dedication to Kid Power and his ability to adapt. We cannot wait to celebrate D’mar on June 8th! #KidPowerDC #CelebratingOurSeniors #ChangeMaker #studentsuccess #studentspotlight
When we think of resilience we think of Makayia! Her mentor, Khalia said, “even before Covid, Makayia has been resilient with everything that has happened in her life. She's like this is my current situation and I need to make the best of it." We cannot wait to celebrate Makayia and the rest of the Mentors, Inc. at Kid Power class of 2022 on June 8th! #KidPowerDC #CelebratingOurSeniors #ChangeMaker #studentsuccess #studentspotlight
We love showcasing our class of 2022! Today we are ecstatic to highlight Ta’Meah! We are in awe of Ta’Meah’s motivation and commitment. As her mentor, Taylor would say, “ Ta’Meah is Most Likely to Succeed she knows what she wants and goes after it” We cannot wait to celebrate Ta’Meah and the rest of our seniors from our Mentors, Inc. at Kid Power program on June 8th! #KidPowerDC #CelebratingOurSeniors #ChangeMaker #studentsuccess #studentspotlight
Join us as we celebrate Sergio! A graduating senior from McKinley Technology High School, we have been blown away by all of his accomplishments these past years. On June 8th, Sergio will announce his future plans. #KidPowerDC #CelebratingOurSeniors #ChangeMaker #studentsuccess #studentspotlight
Summer is quickly approaching and we are excited to announce that Kid Power will provide afternoon enrichment during the Summer Acceleration Academies. This year the summer camp theme will be based on three components: Earth, Water, and Fire. Enrichment Activities will include but are not limited to Civics Engagement, STEM, Art with a Purpose, KP Circles, and Social-Emotional Learning Activities. Youth will also have an opportunity to engage in local field trips and exciting team-building activities.
Kid Power’s Summer Acceleration Academies will be held from July 5th to August 5th from 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm Monday through Friday. Link in Bio to register.
We are kicking June off by celebrating our class of 2022! We are so proud of the graduates of our Mentors, Inc. @ Kid Power program and today we are thrilled to recognize Temitayo. On June 8th, his mentor Nick will join the KP team in celebrating his accomplishments and announcing his future plans.
#KidPowerDC #CelebratingOurSeniors #CantStopKP #ChangeMaker #studentsuccess #studentspotlight
Thank you to Crowell & Moring Foundation for your continued support and grant award of $7,000. The Crowell & Moring Foundation was founded in 1999 with a mission focused on furthering educational efforts for low-income youth. Thank you for continuing to emphasize the importance of youth voice and for truly embodying Kid Power’s mission.
#CommunityPartners #KPPartner #thankful
Join us as we spotlight our Volunteer Coordinator, Julia Nessman! Julia, has made immense strides with our volunteer recruitment. Her hard work is evident as Mentors, Inc. @ Kid Power Program Manager, Ayana Patrick, expressed "Julia is super dedicated to her role as volunteer coordinator. She stays positive and optimistic." Araba Aidoo-Apau, Kid Power’s High Impact Tutoring Director stated, "I can always count on her to help troubleshoot any issues I’m having with tutor staffing." Thank you Julia for continuing to be such a reliable source of support!
Link in bio to learn more about Kid Power jobs!
#CommunityChampion #KPHiring #YouthAdvocate
We are delighted to share our 2020-2021 annual report, Rooted In Resilience. The report showcases Kid Power’s impact and accomplishments; highlights our strategic priorities; and redefines the meaning of resilience for ourselves, our youth, and our community. This annual report embraces the hardships of the last year and harnesses the power of growing stronger together.
"I am so thankful for Kid Power. It has been a huge blessing for us, especially the homework help. You guys are doing an awesome job, and I know working through COVID is a lot. Ms. Denver has been great with navigating our needs. I just want to say thank you, thank you very much!" Roxanne McCarter, Kid Power Parent.
Link in bio to read report. If you would like a printed copy email [email protected]
VOICES OF KID POWER: What does Kid Power mean? Co-Founder Max Skolnik takes a moment to tell us the vision that he and Caroline Sholl had when creating Kid Power.
Show your support for Kid Power and our 20th Anniversary as we continue the vision that our young people can become agents of change in their communities. https://www.kidpowerdc.org/donate/
#20thAnniversary #KPDC #KidPowerDC #BeTheDifference
PHOTO OF THE WEEK: Our rockstar team at the, Next Generation of Changemakers event. Our first event in 2 years and it was GREAT to gather with our community of supporters, students, parents and instuctors.
#KidPowerDC #Youth #DC #Community #YouthLeaders #Mentoring #SummerPrograms #nowhiring #changemakers
We are excited to share that TOMORROW May 18th we will partner with @unitedwaynca to raise $10K in 24 hours to do more for the youth in our community in celebration of our 20th anniversary. The past two years have been especially difficult for our community and for our youth. Your support is an excellent opportunity to ensure Kid Power programs remain strong for the next 20 years. Support local youth, win prizes and have some fun with us!
Link in bio or visit https://domorekp.funraise.org/
#BetterUnited #DCYouth #DoMorewithKidPower #CommunityPartner #BeTheDifference #KPChampion
The Mystics are kicking this season off with a new initiative highlighting the power of mentorship. We are truly honored to be selected for this initiative and will be showcased during the Mystics games on May 13th and June 19th. To get tickets for the June 19th game visit https://bit.ly/3N5QlUE and use the promo code KPDC. We hope you are able to come out and support Kid Power while cheering on the Mystics!