Organization: KIDWORKS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORP
Mission: THE MISSION OF KIDWORKS IS TO RESTORE AT-RISK NEIGHBORHOODS ONE LIFE AT A TIME. THE ORGANIZATION BUILDS ON THE STRENGTHS AND POTENTIAL IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH EDUCATION, CHARACTER FORMATION, AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT.
Activities: THE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM PLACES NEARLY 600 STUDENTS ON A DIRECT PATH TOWARDS COLLEGE BY EQUIPPING THEM WITH THE RIGHT TOOLS. BEGINNING IN KINDERGARTEN AND CONTINUING THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL, CHILDREN PARTICIPATE IN AGE-APPROPRIATE ACTIVITIES THAT PREPARE THEM FOR HIGHER EDUCATION THROUGH ACADEMIC AND CHARACTER BUILDING ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING TUTORING, MENTORING AND COLLEGE PREPARATION. IN ADDITION, KIDWORKS OFFERS WORKSHOPS ON SCIENCE, MUSIC, DANCE, CREATIVE WRITING AND MORE. KIDWORKS ALSO OFFERS EDUCATION AROUND HEALTH AND WELL BEING, LIKE ART THERAPY CLASSES AND ACCESS TO WEEKLY FITNESS ACTIVITIES AND SPORTS LEAGUES. IN 2019-2020, 100% OF 12TH GRADE STUDENTS GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL ON-TIME, IN FOUR YEARS. FOR THE FIFTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR, 100% OF 12TH GRADE STUDENTS WERE ACCEPTED TO 2 AND 4 YEAR COLLEGES, VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMS, AND PLAN ON ATTENDING IN THE FALL. SOME OF THE 4-YEAR COLLEGES STUDENTS WILL BE ATTENDING INCLUDE: VANGUARD UNIVERSITY, CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY FULLERTON, CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY SAN MARCOS, CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY. 100% OF 8TH GRADE STUDENTS WERE PROMOTED TO HIGH SCHOOL. IN 2019-2020, 75% OF COLLEGE STUDENTS PROMOTED TO THEIR NEXT LEVEL OF POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION. IN ADDITION, 100% OF OUR PARENTS INCREASED THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD NUTRITION AND HEALTHY LIVING PRACTICES.
THE YOUTH AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM BUILDS AND DEVELOPS LEADERS WHO GIVE BACK AND SERVE THEIR COMMUNITY. KIDWORKS' YOUTH PARTICIPATE IN STUDENT GOVERNMENT, VOLUNTEER AS TUTORS AND MENTORS, ENGAGE IN CIVIC PROCESSES OF THE CITY, AND PERFORM SERVICE PROJECTS. KIDWORKS' PARENTS PARTICIPATE IN PARENTING WORKSHOPS, SUPPORT GROUPS, EDUCATIONAL CLASSES, AND COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS. IN 2019-2020 A TOTAL OF 295 PARENTS PARTICIPATED IN REGULAR PARENT TRAINING AND ACTIVITES. 726 VOLUNTEERS CONTRIBUTED 11,364 HOURS OF SERVICE IN SUPPORT OF THE KIDWORKS MISSION. STUDENTS ALSO WORKED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SANTA ANA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT TO ASSESS NUTRITION AND QUALITY OF LUNCHES AT LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS.
KIDWORKS CDC OPERATES A LICENSED STATE PRESCHOOL SERVING 48 STUDENTS DAILY. THE CHILDREN SERVED ARE BELOW OR WITHIN THE 85% STATE MEDIAN INCOME. ANNUALLY, KIDWORKS PARTICIPATES IN THE CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM (CACFP) FOR 100% OF OUR STUDENTS AT NO COST TO THE FAMILIES. THE PRIMARY GOAL IS A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION FROM PRESCHOOL TO TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN OR KINDERGARTEN FOR EVERY CHILD AND FAMILY. 95% OF KIDWORKS' PRESCHOOL STUDENTS WERE ASSESSED AS TRANSITIONAL KINDER OR KINDERGARTEN-READY BY THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR. OUR PRESCHOOL PROGRAM IS PART OF THE QUALITY START OC, WHICH PROVIDES KIDWORKS WITH A GRANT, FREE TRAINING, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR AS WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE A HIGH QUALITY EARLY LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.
NTEE category: Education
Secondary category: Community Improvement & Capacity Building