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LetterFrom Lauren
Dear Friends and Supporters,
As we reflect on the past year, I am filled with immense pride and gratitude for the remarkable journey Kids On Point has undertaken Our organization has experienced significant growth and transformation, paving the way for an even brighter future It is with great pleasure that I share with you some of the highlights and achievements from this past year
Our programs have expanded both in size and scope, allowing us to reach more students and provide them with life-changing opportunities. One of the most exciting developments has been our continued expansion into North Charleston This strategic move has enabled us to serve a larger community and offer our high-quality enrichment programs to more young people who can benefit from them The enthusiasm and support from the North Charleston community have been overwhelming, and we are committed to deepening our impact in this area
Our travel activities have been a cornerstone of our success, providing students with the chance to compete in squash tournaments in cities like Atlanta, Delaware, Chicago, and Philadelphia. These experiences have not only enhanced their athletic skills but also broadened their horizons, exposing them to new cultures and environments. The formation of our HighPerformance Squash Team has further exemplified our dedication to excellence, with students eagerly participating in additional Saturday practices and competing across the country
The growth of our organization is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff, volunteers, and supporters It is through your unwavering commitment that we are able to create lasting change in the lives of our students As we look ahead, we are excited to continue building on this momentum, expanding our programs, and exploring new opportunities for growth.
Thank you for being an integral part of the Kids On Point family. Together, we are making a profound difference in the lives of young people, empowering them to reach their full potential and become leaders in their communities I look forward to another year of growth, achievement, and inspiration
Warm regards,
A WORLD WHERE ALL KIDS THRIVE.
For 14 years, Kids On Point has offered free yearround support for youth in the Charleston community. As a 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 students throughout Charleston experience.
Vision Mission
TO EMBOLDEN THE POTENTIAL OF OUR KIDS THROUGH ACCESS, EXPOSURE AND OPPORTUNITY
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 experience to address the “summer slide."
9-18 Ages
177
138
2,300 VolunteerHours
78
ADayInTheLifeofa KOPScholar
During our after-school program, students receive comprehensive academic support, including homework assistance, participation in educational games, and goal-setting for personal and academic growth. Each student benefits from guidance by CofC student mentors and personalized tutoring from dedicated community members. Our wellness routines emphasize both physical health and mental wellbeing through mindfulness exercises and a diverse range of fitness activities Students also engage in various sports, which enhance their teamwork and physical skills, fostering positive self-care habits for a brighter future Our enrichment programs ignite creativity and build practical skills through hands-on activities in arts, STEM, college and career counseling, and more. Each afternoon, students enjoy nutritious meals provided by the Lowcountry Food Bank, ensuring they are energized and prepared.
HighSchoolProgramming
KOP continues to deepen our offerings for high-school students through college and career readiness programs like the KOP Ambassador Program designed to increase high schoolers' leadership and public speaking skills Notably, We have developed ongoing community partnerships to create program offerings such as outdoor excursions with Coastal Expedition Foundation that give students access to the wildlife and habitats that all those in the Lowcountry share with the purpose of increasing environmental stewardship and interest in environmental career fields.
We continue to utilize Level All’s content library to create engaging sessions to support our students We pull content from their nine key pillars (success in high school, college and college-alternative paths, life skills, financial literacy, career exposure and planning, apprenticeships, community college path, and leadership) in order to develop our academic enrichment sessions. In fact, we devoted 175 hours to academic enrichment during our after school program in our ongoing efforts to provide personalized and meaningful learning experiences to students
Through our partnership with Level All, our students have a unique tool to research potential career fields, be matched with potential employers and colleges, and find apprenticeships and scholarships
Enrichment
Throughout the year, we offer a wide variety of enrichment activities for our students to participate in These opportunities range from community service projects, wellness activities, lifeskill advancement, celebrations for their accomplishments, and overall individual enrichment This year, we reached over 300 hours of total enrichment between both our locations
Enrichment programming is essential for our students as it extends learning beyond the traditional classroom, offering opportunities to explore new interests, develop practical skills, and build confidence Enrichment programming refers to activities that complement traditional education by providing students with opportunities to explore diverse subjects, such as arts, sports, STEM, and leadership, in a more hands-on, engaging way. These programs are designed to enhance learning, promote critical thinking, and develop life skills that contribute to a student's overall personal and academic success
At Kids On Point, we approach all enrichment activities with intentionality, carefully designing each experience to align with our students' academic and personal growth goals. By focusing on practical success and skill building, we ensure that our programs not only spark curiosity and creativity but also equip students with the tools they need to thrive in real-world situations This intentional approach helps us foster well-rounded individuals who are prepared for future challenges and opportunities
OurPartners
Allegro Charter School
Camp Happy Days
Charleston Archery Academy
Charleston County School District
Charleston Museum
Charleston Stage
Charleston Symphony
Charleston Waterkeeper
CIty of Charleston Department of Recreation
City of Charleston Municipal Golf Course
City of Charleston Environmental Science
City of North Charleston
Coastal Expeditions
CofC Athletics Department
CofC Basketball
CofC REACH Program
CofC Soccer
CofC Public Health
CofC Mace Brown Museum
College Sage
Cookie Washington
Doors to Dreams
ELITE Gaming
First Tee of Charleston
Gibbes Museum
Gullah Swim Academy
HALOS
Historic Charleston Foundation
Junior Achievement of SC
Keith Summey North Charleston Library
Kids in the Kitchen
Charleston Library Society
Little Dove Consulting
Lowcountry Food Bank
MAD Park
Multiplying Good
MUSC Gardens
MUSC Integrations Health Therapy
North Charleston Parks and Rec
Orangegrove Charter School
Peace Culture Music
Planned Parenthood
Sam Sidney
SC Aquarium
Sign Pro
South Carolina Surf Soccer Club
Vision to Learn
WINGS for Kids
Youth 2 Ocean
YWCA - Y Girls Code
CallMeMisters
For the second summer, we have partnered with the College of Charleston, Charleston Southern, and Clemson to host an internship program for the Call Me MISTER Program. Call Me MISTER is a collegiate initiative to increase the pool of available teachers from a broader, more diverse background among the State’s lowest-performing schools These “MISTER” students are housed on the College of Charleston campus and work under our certified teachers to gain additional knowledge and expertise in the classroom This summer we hosted 16 MISTERS from 6 universities across South Carolina at both of our summer sites
3,200
Lander Winthrop
SC State Coastal Carolina CSU
Hoursthissummer CofC
CollegeSpotlight
We are incredibly proud of the achievements of our students who have continued their educational journeys into post-secondary education whether it be trade school, community college or a four-year institution
A shining example is LaMauria Goodwin, a KOP graduate who began her journey with us back in elementary school and is now a sophomore at Claflin University Not only is LaMauria thriving in college but she has also taken on a leadership role with Kids On Point for the past two summers, overseeing volunteers and managing summer camp logistics Her growth and dedication are a true testament to the impact of our programs
We are committed to supporting all our graduates as they pursue their post-secondary education, and beyond, and we look forward to watching many more students thrive as they design their own futures of success
Educator Advancement
Deondré Pendergrass
4 Years
“I have had the privilege of working with students ranging from rising Kindergarteners to rising 8th graders. Having taught high school, and now middle school, KOP has helped give me the confidence to succeed in any classroom with any grade level. The highlight of my time with KOP is the relationships that I have developed with the students and their families. A lot of them have become like family to me, and I do not take that lightly or for granted! It is a blessing to work at KOP every summer! It is always a great joy to meet a new group of students and see their growth from week 1 to the conclusion of camp I get to be a part of memories that will last a lifetime for them, and that means the world to me!”
Jared Gambrell 6 Years
“Working for Kids On Point is an amazing experience As an educator, we are often restricted in what we teach and how we teach Kids On Point offers a fun and unique experience while supporting student learning I am able to try new ways to implement lessons that support student engagement, and I have been able to use a lot of these ideas during the school year The highlight of my time with KOP is watching the program evolve Every year, the camp gets better The KOP staff works very hard to prepare themes and activities, and being able to watch the kids work hard and enjoy themselves is something I enjoy ”
Makayla Garrett 4 Years
“I enjoy the staff and students The environment and the culture created is something that is so hard to find and cherished! I love the adventures the campers get to go on and love helping them grow academically as well My favorite things are the partnerships and the experiences the campers get to experience There are many activities that some may not get to enjoy outside of KOP and it is an awesome experience to watch them try new things or excel at activities they have previously enjoyed ”
“KOP is an amazing and unique program. It gives students the opportunity to experience things they probably otherwise wouldn't through activities like Squash, various field trips, and visits from our many partners. They also get to refine academic skills to get a jumpstart on the school year ahead. This program truly gives Charleston area students the opportunity to be wellrounded scholars. “
“My highlight would have to be in my second summer when we took our crew to do Crabbing with Tia. The campers were so engaged and had such an amazing time. They were able to learn how to fish for crabs, the bait to use, and learn how to hold them! We were sad to get back on the bus at the end of our time and it was something we talked about the rest of the summer. “
Kids On Point's summer teacher training focuses on project-based learning curriculum that offers invaluable professional development, allowing teachers to engage in creative, hands-on activities that they enjoy and may not typically have the opportunity to implement in their regular classrooms Our collective efforts to make summer learning fun, engaging and enriching for students.
Introducing Edmentum
Last year, we integrated a new learning software to gauge the academic progress of our students. This tool helps us tod develop a better understanding of what aspects of our programming need more or less focus Edmentum creates learning technology solutions designed to support educators and supplement existing curriculum with one goal in mind: positive student outcomes While our programming does have a strong academic approach, our broader approach to student achievement is whole-child-focused.
This means we are committed to providing project-based learning curriculum that is hyperfocused on engagement and critical thinking skills, which then translates into more active participation in their classrooms through the academic year. When students have the opportunity to reinforce skills learned throughout the school year in a more tangible way, the knowledge gained is retained allowing them to have a stronger start to the next academic year. These gains are reflected in the Edmentum data.
We have three testing windows throughout the year that help determine the impact of academic programming and inform programming direction for the academic department Utilizing data collected through Edmentum and project-based learning opportunities, we hope to support students in the following areas: communication and public speaking, organizational skills, time management, academic success skills, leadership and collaboration as well as academic achievement.
“We strive to be educators' most trusted partner Edmentum provides market-leading tools & resources to equip teachers, coaches, tutors, and administrators to help students meet and exceed their goals. I cannot say this enough, “…nothing replaces quality teaching. However, when you pair highly qualified teachers with our research-based Outcome-driven tools and resources the possibilities are endless ”
We are blessed to partner with such an impactful non-profit as KOP. KOP truly sets the standard and models how an organization should operate Thank you for allowing us to play a small part in its success The best is yet to come! You have our full and unfettered support in all you do now and in the future “
- Eddie Crosby Sr. Partnership Manager, Edmentum
Squash Highlight
We are thrilled to introduce our High-Performance Squash Team, a dedicated group of students who have demonstrated exceptional talent and commitment to the sport The formation of this team marks a significant milestone for Kids On Point, as it represents our continued efforts to nurture and develop the potential of our young athletes
The High-Performance Team meets regularly for practice sessions, with optional practices held on Saturdays We are delighted to report that these Saturday sessions have been surprisingly wellattended, with students showing remarkable enthusiasm and dedication. The extra time on the court allows our athletes to refine their skills, build stronger team dynamics, and push their limits in a supportive and motivating environment
Participation in the High-Performance Team opens up exciting opportunities for our students They have the chance to travel around the country, competing against other programs within the Squash Education Alliance network. These competitions not only provide our athletes with high-level squash experience but also expose them to diverse cultures and communities. Traveling for tournaments allows our students to form connections with their peers from different backgrounds, fostering a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect.
Saturday Squash
Squash Competition
Squash Travel
Squash Practice
Our High-Performance Squash Team embodies the spirit of excellence and perseverance that Kids On Point strives to instill in all our participants The experiences gained through this program extend beyond the squash court, teaching valuable life lessons about teamwork, resilience, and goal-setting. We are immensely proud of our high-performance athletes and look forward to supporting them as they continue to grow and achieve remarkable successes both in squash and in their personal development
Expanding Horizons
This year has been an exhilarating journey for Kids On Point as we expanded our horizons and embarked on several travel adventures with our dedicated students. We are proud to share the highlights of our travel activities, which have significantly enriched the lives of our participants and broadened their perspectives.
Our travel itinerary included exciting trips to Atlanta, Delaware, Chicago, and Philadelphia, where our students participated in competitive squash tournaments. These journeys were not just about sports; they were about embracing new experiences and learning from them Traveling by trains and planes, our students were exposed to different cultures and environments, allowing them to grow in ways that extend far beyond the squash court.
At each tournament destination, our students had the unique opportunity to go on college tours, gaining invaluable insights into higher education institutions. They interacted with peers from similar enrichment programs, exchanging ideas and experiences that fostered a sense of community and shared purpose Competing in these athletic tournaments, our students not only honed their squash skills but also developed a deeper understanding of wellness and the importance of setting and achieving goals
Through these travel experiences, our students cultivated a well-rounded sense of independence and personal integrity They learned to navigate new cities, manage their time, and make thoughtful decisions, all of which contribute to shaping their worldviews These trips have empowered our students to see the world differently, encouraging them to aspire to greater heights and reinforcing the values of resilience, perseverance, and self-discipline
Kids On Point remains committed to providing transformative experiences that prepare our students for success both on and off the court The memories and lessons from this year's travel activities will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact, inspiring our students to continue striving for excellence in all aspects of their lives
CharlestonCivilRightsand Civics
Now housed at Kids on Point, C3 is an immersive civil rights experience for high school students completing their freshman year Through this weeklong program, students engage with our civil rights history and democratic process, enabling them to better understand each other and become lifelong active citizens
Students visit some of the most impactful sites in the Lowcountry to learn firsthand about our region’s history of enslavement and civil rights Students visit the International African American Museum, historic sites throughout Charleston, the Penn Center on Saint Helena Island, Cecil William’s museum, the sites of the Orangeburg Massacre and Johns Island Learning from experts in the field, students hear first hand accounts of the Charleston Hospital Workers Strike, the Orangeburg Massacre and other significant civil rights moments
C3 reveals history “hidden in plain sight,” giving students a deep sense of pride in understanding South Carolina’s and the Lowcountry’s role in the Civil Rights Movement
Throughout the program, students have the opportunity to engage with influential figures from diverse backgrounds, including the Mayor of Charleston and a South Carolina State Senator The week is filled with powerful narratives of both pain and triumph, as students demonstrate a strong desire to learn, connect, and engage in meaningful discussions
Many students express their surprise at not having encountered this historical knowledge in school, raising questions about why such significant content is often overlooked in traditional curricula
Learning about influential figures such as Esau Jenkins, Septima P. Clark, and the Progressive Schools movement left a lasting impact on the participants and they become captivated by the roles historically Black colleges, such as Claflin University and South Carolina State, played in the Civil Rights Movement
Financials
Last year, our Giving On Point fundraising campaign was a tremendous success, raising an incredible $267,000 to support our afterschool programming Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we were able to expand our reach, enhance our programs, and positively impact the lives of countless students.
This year, we are thrilled to announce that our Giving On Point campaign will run from September 23rd to October 18th.
During this time, your donation will directly support:
Program Expansion: Helping us reach more students in North Charleston with high-quality educational programs.
Community Engagement: Strengthening partnerships with local organizations to create a vibrant and supportive community network.
Student Success: Providing the tools and resources necessary for our students to excel academically and personally
Every dollar counts and brings us closer to our goal. Join us in making a difference in the lives of countless children and families Together, we can harness the power of community and ensure a brighter future for all
Help us make this year’s Giving On Point campaign our most impactful yet!
Scan the code to learn more
Ready. Set. Glow.
On March 2nd we hosted our annual fundraising celebration Ready. Set. Glow at The Cistern on College of Charleston’s campus This event raises funds to support our summer programming, allowing us to expand our enrollment and extend to new boundaries
This year we had great success hosting 400+ attendees and raising nearly $100,000! In addition to ticket sales and sponsorships, this year we added an exciting new raffle giving those who entered a chance to win two tickets to Taylor Swift in New Orleans. The winners were our very own community members, Dan and Marie Dickerson!
Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to an evening celebrating our students’ success and helping raise funds for an amazing summer!
If you missed out on this year’s night of fun, make sure to join us on March 1, 2025!
Our Team
The staff at Kids on Point collectively brings a wealth of experience and dedication to each role, with a unified focus on enhancing child development and reducing educational inequality. Our team is characterized by our strong commitment to building partnerships, optimizing resources, and creating impactful learning experiences. With extensive experience in fields such as health education, curriculum development, and youth mentorship, we work collaboratively to ensure that every scholar at KOP receives the support and opportunities needed to thrive. This passion drives our mission to foster academic growth and personal development for all students.
Lauren Heterich
Executive Director
Director of Academics
Stachia Bennett Director of
Academic Coordinator Director of Athletics
Dylan Woodward Director of
David Felipe Athletic Coordinator
Our Board
Chris Riley Board Chairman
Renard Harris Vice Chair
Steve Werber
Molly Butler
Steve Osborne
Sue Woods
Amanda Roberts Steven Thomas
don Ben Liebeterau
Anthony James
Thomas Cutler
Clay Maxwell
“This was our first year here My daughter really enjoyed herself Everyday was her best day ever The staff's interaction was so overwhelmingly genuine they made me feel likeI'd known them for years ”
CONNECTED
“My kids had a wonderful time [at camp], and they wished it was longer. They talked constantly about the friends They made, and how awesome their counselors were I loved the way you all greeted my kids by name. I think it made them felt seen and a connected ”
“I am endlessly impressed with your team at Kids on Point! You guys do an amazing job offering a wide variety of activities for the kids, keeping parents informed and organized I am amazed at the exposure these kids are gaining to all kinds of different things!”
“I want to thank you all for such a fun packed 5 weeks! I have observed that my son has grown so much within this 5week span and has become more responsible! Thank you for all you guys do ”
Parent&StudentTestimonials
How has Kids On Point helped you grow?
“It helped me develop in so many things like improve in math and my reading.”
“It helped me have more confidence, freedom, and friendship with my classmates ”
“I can feel more comfortable talking to teachers about what’s going on and I know I have people I can lean on during hard times.”
“I learned that if you give respect you get it back ”
“KOP helped me change by being more active ”
“I learned how to surf I would never think surfing is something I would want to do until I went on the field trip I enjoyed it ”
“KOP has helped grow in general as a person, and helped me push my academic, fitness and social skills.”
SUMMER 2024
