KP in action
Kid Power continues to make strategic decisions that deepen our impact by increasing the number of youth served at each site and providing quality resources for the District’s youth. Kid Power practices sustainable program expansion and innovation by gradually adding new program locations, enhancements, and partnerships each year. These efforts include alignment of all curricula to Common Core Standards, solidification of program partnerships, investments in staff development, and practices that strengthen family engagement.
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Kid Power students showed improvements in regular classroom attendance
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Parents said Kid Power helped their child understand the importance of community service
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Students demonstrated an increase in positive social behaviors, such as assertiveness
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Students gained new computer research skills
Major Grant Milestones
- 2018: awarded a 3-year $408,000 21st Century Learning Center grant from the Office State Superintendent of Education (OSSE).
- 2018: awarded a pro bono consulting project from Compass to help create a funding strategy to facilitate program expansion and organizational sustainability.
- 2017: won a re-compete 3-year AmeriCorps grant, increasing Kid Powers AmeriCorps Members to six.
- 2014: awarded an AmeriCorps State grant to hire five full-time service members, which was renewed for an additional two years.
Sher’Nae, Kid Power Alumni Parent and Volunteer
“I wanted my children to learn how to cook and to recognize and choose healthy options, and Kid Power introduced my family to different approaches to growing, cooking and enjoying all vegetables. They have been involved with Kid Power for over 11 years and they still value what they’ve learned. Lessons from the program helped them with summer jobs as counselors, to feeding the homeless, to creating their own hot sauce and pickles, to college and career planning. Still today, they enjoy making homemade kale chips and zucchini bread from the Kid Power recipes. I feel lucky to have been involved with a school that provided such a resource. This is why I volunteer today with Kid Power because I want to be able to give back to an organization that gives so much.”
Armani, Kid Power Alumna
“Kid power is an amazing program filled with so much diversity, enthusiasm, and inspiring energy it almost makes it feel like a second family. I have attended Kid Power since I was 8 years old. I lived in a troubled neighborhood and it was rare for me and my siblings to have fun outside. Then we joined Kid Power and it changed our lives. If it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be the person I am today. I was a troubled student and joining Kid Power made me want more for myself!”
Sher’Nae, Kid Power Alumni Parent and Volunteer
“I wanted my children to learn how to cook and to recognize and choose healthy options, and Kid Power introduced my family to different approaches to growing, cooking and enjoying all vegetables. They have been involved with Kid Power for over 11 years and they still value what they’ve learned. Lessons from the program helped them with summer jobs as counselors, to feeding the homeless, to creating their own hot sauce and pickles, to college and career planning. Still today, they enjoy making homemade kale chips and zucchini bread from the Kid Power recipes. I feel lucky to have been involved with a school that provided such a resource. This is why I volunteer today with Kid Power because I want to be able to give back to an organization that gives so much.”
Tyonna, Kid Power Protégé Alumna
“I have learned so much throughout my time with Mentors, Inc. @ Kid Power, with one of those things being confident in my decisions and another being able to make connections.”
Maya Campbell, FoodCorps Member
“I think something that is always great to see is how creatively and uniquely the students think. We did a food hero/food activists lesson where we had the kids create their own food related superhero and the ideas that the kids had were so creative and fun and that lesson was a lot of fun!”
Michelle Smith, Parent
“Brian has exposed Demetrius to many activities he most likely would not have experienced through me. Not only that, Brian, “gets” Demetrius and his love of video game related things. I am most happy that Demetrius has someone that he can confide in and talk to outside of the family.”
Bryana, Kid Power Protégé Alumna
“Oneshia taught me to be open to new opportunities. She has truly taught me the value of having good connections, but the most important lesson I’ve learned from her was to make sure I serve a purpose and that I’m confident in what I want to do. Knowing someone cares enough about me and my future encourages me.”