IMPACT REPORT

For 13 years, Kids On Point has offered free year round 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
Mission: To embolden the potential of our kids through access, exposure and experience.
Vision: A world where all kids thrive.
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!
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
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!
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
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
In May 2022, Kids On Point was approached with a request to consider expanding into North Charleston through a partnership with Allegro Charter School. And we’re proud to announce that in October 2022, Kids On Point will be adding an additional afterschool programming site Our additional site will serve students and families in the North Charleston area who are in need of quality afterschool programming. In our
During our 2022 Summer Camp, we piloted a new position, a Student Support Specialist; to work closely with our students on individual and group levels on positive behavioral management. After a successful pilot, we have expanded the role to a part time position continuing to working with students in our afterschool program At both the downtown and North Charleston locations, students will have the opportunity to receive lessons on bullying, self esteem, respect, conflict resolution and many other critical life lessons to ensure their success navigating all of life’s challenges
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
Boeing
Bosch
Capeder Co
City of Charleston Rec Department
Charleston Riverdogs
Charleston County Library
Charleston County Parks & Rec
Charleston County School District
C of C Athletics
C of C Grice Marine Lab
C of C Public Safety
C of C Men’s Varsity Soccer Team
C of C School of Education
C of C School of Health & Human Performance
C of C Sustainable Agriculture
Doors to Dreams
Edmentum
Future Ready
Groundswell Capital Group
Kinful
Lowcountry Food Bank
MadPark
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