Kids On Point 2021-2022 Impact Report

IMPACT REPORT

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WHAT WE DO

Mission: To embolden the potential of our kids through access, exposure and experience.

Vision: A world where all kids thrive.

For 13 years, Kids On Point has offered free yearround support for underserved youth in the Charleston community. As a small nonprofit working to tackle systemic issues (educational inequality and poverty) in Charleston, we operate intentionally based on data-driven outcomes to avoid the ‘mission creep’ that can dilute the effectiveness of many nonprofits. Year-round, our programming focuses on alleviating the resource disparity that low-income and underserved students experience. Our core program areas consist of the following: After-school programming: 4 days a week, students are given healthy after-school meals and participate in academic & athletic enrichment facilitated with mentors from CofC. Year-round college and career counseling from certified college counselors; Enrichment field trips locally and around the country in order to expose students to new ideas, cultures and people that they may not encounter in their schools or neighborhoods; Family outreach events to connect families with resources and information relevant to supporting their students’ success.

Summer Camp: A 6-week academic and enrichment summer experience to address the “summer slide."

LETTER FROM LAUREN As I began writing this letter for our first ever annual report, I immediately became filled with pride. And I’ll admit, a little intimidation. Intimidated because there is so much this organization has accomplished in the last 13 years - we’ve really come a long way from working out of a closet. In my 8 years as Executive Director of Kids On Point, I’ve seen students evolve & mature and I’ve seen the program come full circle with our first ever college graduates this past May. This impressive milestone illustrates the power of Kids On Point and the magnitude of this life-changing endeavor we’re embarking upon.

In this inaugural annual report, you’ll get a glimpse of the leaps and bounds we made this year with our growth - increased student population, staff, partners and locations. Aided by a comprehensive strategic plan, we’ve been exploring initiatives that deepen our commitment to the students and families we serve while simultaneously enhancing our organizational sustainability. The staff, volunteers and board of directors have worked tirelessly, greeting each new opportunity with a keen focus on quality and sustainability.

Collectively, we’re grateful to have your vote of confidence as we entertain each new possible program enhancement. Encouragement and partnership from people and organizations, like you, enable us to create truly transformational opportunities for each and every student at KOP. The accomplishments from this year have been nothing short of phenomenal and I’m delighted to share our success.

It is my sincere hope that this report fills you with pride, as it does for me. After all, we wouldn’t be here today without YOU!

FROM OUR PARENTS

You all make my family and I feel like we have a place to belong.

We are like family. You all show that you care and are interested in not just my children’s lives as students of KOP, but overall, our lives and well being too! KOP is truly one of the best decisions I’ve made for my family. It’s helped us to see our strengths and weaknesses. Through open communication and honesty, you all have helped us to pinpoint and reflect on areas that we can improve upon. Even when we had that tough conversation about our child's attitude and desires, It was all done in love. I felt that.

I’m not afraid to say I love y’all... because I do. Thank you for every opportunity afforded, every helping hand extended and every smile from the heart.

- A Kids On Point Parent

GROWING UP & GOING PLACES KOP NAMED 2021 ANGEL ORGANIZATION On November 16th, South Carolina Secretary of State Mark Hammond announced the state’s Angel organizations and Kids On Point was proud to be named one of the fifteen most outstanding organizations in the state.

To be selected as an Angel, KOP has devoted 86.8% percent or more of total expenditures to charitable

programming.

Furthermore,

organizations must have been in existence for three or more years; the charity must make good use of volunteer services; the charity must receive minimal funding from grants; and the charity must be in compliance with the SC Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act.

ONE OF KOP'S FIRST COLLEGE GRADUATES Kids On Point is thrilled to celebrate this important milestone – our first four-year college

graduate!

Jerry

Manigault

was

among the first cohort of students who began at Kids On Point nearly 13 years ago.

In May, Jerry graduated from Clemson University with his Bachelors Degree. He has accepted a position as Project Engineer with

Charleston

based,

M.B.

Kahn

Construction Co. Congratulations Jerry!

AFTERSCHOOL

By providing access to a variety of academic and enrichment opportunities common to higher income students, we seek to reduce racial and economic opportunity gaps, improve test scores and school/work habits and foster strong social skill development among historically underrepresented students.

One of the more exciting elements of our programming for our students has always been traveling out of the region to visit other similar programs, competing in squash tournaments and visiting college campuses.

This year we were happy to bring back the travel element of our program and took students to visit Atlanta, Alabama and Philadelphia. Ensuring our students could travel and take full advantage of all opportunities, we partnered with Roper St. Frances to host a series of vaccination information sessions and clinics.

Families & students were welcome to ask questions and receive the vaccine.

Utilizing our new assessment tool, ExactPath, provided through a gracious partnership with Edmentum, we are able to assess our students' progress in English and Math. After three assessments throughout the year, our students showed improvement by 47 points in Math overall and 36 points in English overall.

AFTERSCHOOL

This year, our squash programming began a new holistic approach to physical wellness by incorporating fitness testing, coordinated in partnership with the Public Health program at the College of Charleston.

Through this partnership, we began accessing students' progress on their fitness journey. Additionally, students began focusing on goal setting through journaling and reflection to support their overall wellness which lends itself to stronger social and emotional awareness.

Wellness continues to be supported through our nutrition partners at Lowcountry Food Bank, who provides nutritious meals to our students daily and Mad Park who conducts enrichment lessons for students on accessible healthy choices.

In total, each student received an average of 695 hours of enrichment programming throughout the year.

Through Kids On Point staff and collaborative partnerships, our students receive additional instruction and guidance for life skill development to compliment the work they do in squash and academics.

695 Hours of Enrichment Enrichment

Hours

AFTERSCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

Top Left - Students began fitness testing this year to track improvements in physical well-being. Top Right - Four of our students had the opportunity to compete in the Squash Education Alliance's 2022 Individual National Championship in Philadelphia. Taj finished in third place and Ja'mya came in 5th place. Bottom - Students gather to hop into the Kids On Point van for a feild trip.

AFTERSCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

Top Left - Three students traveled to the World Games in Alabama and experienced stops along the Civil Rights Trail, including a private tour.

Top Right - Students heading out on another adventure. Bottom - Academic tutoring and mentorship by College of Charleston students is one of the ways we support our students towards academic success.

SUMMER CAMP

Our 2022 Summer Camp kicked off on June 27th with nearly 200 students from Kindergarten - 8th grade.

Doubling the number of students served last summer! In partnership with the College of Charleston School of Education, our 6-week summer camp aims to get students access and exposure to a myriad of hands-on activities that reinforce academic skills. For our summer camp, we hire Charleston County School District teachers to lead our students to exciting activities on and off campus which included: Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Crabbing, Robot Coding, Gymnastics, Swimming, Basketball, Soccer and many more!

Students engaged in creative math and literacy lessons to keep their academics sharp.

This summer, students also worked on interpersonal skills through the addition of our Student Support Specialist. Working individually and in groups, our Student Support Specialist worked to help students build their personal toolkit with healthy coping techniques for life’s stressors and creating a culture of emotional awareness.

SUMMER CAMP

We pride ourselves on providing access and exposure for students that allows them to explore new opportunities. We couldn't do so without our dedicated collaborators. We'd like to extend our deepest gratitude to the following partners who embrace our program through rich partnership: Doors to Dreams, Youth to Ocean, Future Ready, City of Charleston Rec Department, Charleston County Parks & Rec, CofC Public Safety, CofC School of Education, CofC Sustainable Agriculture Program, CofC Grice Marine Lab, CofC Mace Brown Natural History Museum, Wild Blue Ropes Adventure Park, Gibbes Museum, Redux Art center, SC Aquarium, Edmentum, The Gibbes Museum, Charleston County School District and Orange Grove Charter School and Surf City Futsol.

SUMMER CAMP HIGHLIGHTS

Left - Students experienced a variety of environmental lessons that tied in our coastal ecosystems. Top - Students dove into learning chess strategy embracing our 'Game On' theme. Bottom - Squash continues to be a cornerstone of our fitness activities

SUMMER CAMP HIGHLIGHTS

Left - Building on existing and creating new friendships are a draw for KOP Campers. Top - Water activities and our camp-wide water day bring relief in the summer heat. Bottom - Casual Crabbing With Tia allows students to get up-close and personal with nature.

FINANCIALS

ANNUAL INCOME $1,061,274 Corporate $270,402 Individuals $357,892

Grants/Foundations $432,980

ANNUAL EXPENSES $902,694 Operations 11.9% Programs 30.6%

Core Mission Support 57.5%

BY THE NUMBERS

Students served in 20212022 through after school & summer programs

Community partners and nonprofits we collaborate with throughout the region

Hours of enrichment activities and lessons provided to each student in 2021 - 2022

Daily attendance rate, which exceeds our 80% attendance requirement

Of Kids On Point students graduate high school

of our students return year-after-year to gain long-term personal transformation

CofC students volunteered daily as mentors in 2021-2022

Required for participating Kids on Point families

Volunteer hours from CofC student mentors in 2021-2022

MOVING FORWARD NEW AFTERSCHOOL SITE

NEW STUDENT SUPPORT

In May 2022, Kids On Point was approached

During our 2022 Summer Camp, we piloted a new

with a request to consider expanding into North

position, a Student Support Specialist; to work

Charleston through a partnership with Allegro

closely with our students on individual and group

Charter School. And we’re proud to announce

levels on positive behavioral management. After a

that in October 2022, Kids On Point will be

successful pilot, we have expanded the role to a

adding an additional afterschool programming

part-time position continuing to working with

site. Our additional site will serve students and

students in our afterschool program. At both the

families in the North Charleston area who are in

downtown

need of quality afterschool programming. In our

students will have the opportunity to receive

first year, we will serve 50 students at the

lessons on bullying, self-esteem, respect, conflict

Allegro location along with the 100 students we

resolution and many other critical life lessons to

will be serving at our downtown College of

ensure their success navigating all of life’s

Charleston location.

challenges.

and

North

Charleston

locations,

THANK YOU PARTNERS Kids on Point has been sustained for over a decade by a group of passionate individuals, corporations and foundations who all look to close the opportunity gap. Our continued success has been shared with you, our investors and partners, as tangible outcomes become more evident and as the broader community begins to take interest in our work.

Each time we have come to you with a new challenge or opportunity, you have responded with generosity, connections, resources and support. We cannot emphasize enough how much we appreciate your vote of confidence. Thank you for being in our corner and helping us to create a world where all kids can thrive.

The work done at Kids On Point is done with intentionality and it is successful because of deep relationships with people and organizations who are all committed to advocating for student’s ability to design their future. We share in these successes and like to call special attention to the following entities for their steadfast commitment.

Allegro Charter School C of C Men’s Varsity Soccer Team Boeing C of C School of Education Bosch C of C School of Health & Human Performance Capeder Co. C of C Sustainable Agriculture City of Charleston Rec Department Doors to Dreams Charleston Riverdogs Edmentum Charleston County Library Future Ready Charleston County Parks & Rec Groundswell Capital Group Charleston County School District Kinful C of C Athletics Lowcountry Food Bank C of C Grice Marine Lab MadPark C of C Public Safety MUSC C of C Mace Brown Natural History Museum

Orange Grove Charter School Redux Art center Roper St. Francis SC Aquarium SC Afterschool Alliance Social Venture Partners Squash Education Alliance Surf City Futsol SUP Safaris The Gibbes Museum Wild Blue Ropes Adventure Park Youth to Ocean YWCA/ Y Girls Code

OUR TEAM

Lauren Herterich Executive Director

Tenise Holloway Program Director

Stachia Bennett Director of Operations

Kingsley Amoako Athletic Director

Barbie Schreiner Director of Advancement

Sterling Savage Student Support Specialist

Dylan Woodward Program Director

OUR BOARD

Add a subheading Chris Riley Board Chairman

Renard Harris Vice Chair

Steve Werber Treasurer

Molly Butler

Bill Youngblood

Steve Osborne

Sue Woods

Amanda Roberts

Steven Thomas

Judith Ranger-Smith

Todd Abedon

Ben Liebetrau

Thomas Cutler

Mason Rees

Anthony James

Deronda Washington

Kids On Point P.O. Box 22731 Charleston, SC 29413 Info@kidsonpoint.org 843-256-6765 KidsOnPoint.org