Paradise Atlanta Westside Enrichment Center Inc

TO PROVIDE QUALITY ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS IN A SAFE, LOVING, CHRISTIAN ENVIRONMENT WHILE PROVIDING FAMILIES WITH VARIOUS RESOURCES THAT WILL EMPOWER AND ENCOURAGE THEM.

THE PARADISE ATLANTA ENRICHMENT CENTER [PAWKIDS] PROVIDES AN EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (PEP) IS BASED ON INITIAL READING ASSESSMENTS AT THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, EVERY STUDENT ENROLLED WITH PAWKIDS HAS A PEP ACTION PLAN TO CAPITALIZE ON STRENGTHS AND TARGET WEAKNESSES. PAWKIDS STRIVES FOR THE HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR CHILDREN; SPIRITUALLY, EMOTIONALLY, MENTALLY, AND PHYSICALLY. THE MAIN FOCUS IS EXPOSURE TO NEW PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS OUTSIDE OF GROVE PARK. PAWKIDS CONSTANTLY ADJUSTS/ADDS PROGRAMS BASED ON THE EVER CHANGING NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY. DURING 2021, PAWKIDS BEGAN OPENING THE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM ON A LIMITED BASIS AS THE COVID VACCINATION PROGRAM ALLOWED STAFF TO SAFELY RETURN TO IN PERSON LEARNING. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, 18 CHILDREN ATTENDED THE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM CONSISTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE LEARNING PROGRAM INVESTED IN A MOBILE CLASSROOM TO ACT AS AN OVERFLOW SPACE AND TO TAKE THE READING PROGRAM INTO AREAS THAT HAVE NO ACCESS TO THESE SERVICES. THE PROJECT WAS COMPLETED TOWARD THE END OF 2021 DURING THE SUMMER OF 2021, THE EXPERIENTIAL TRIPS PROCEEDED AND AT LEAST 25 CHILDREN HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO ON ONE OF THESE TRIPS. THE TRIPS INCLUDED THE GRAND CANYON IN ARIZONA, CAMPING IN MAINE, RAFTING, ETC.

PAWKIDS RUNS A FOOD PANTRY IN THE GROVE PARK COMMUNITY. IT IS A DOCUMENTED FACT THAT THE GROVE PARK COMMUNITY IS A FOOD DESERT. THE PANDEMIC CREATED A PERFECT STORM AS LOW INCOME EARNERS LOST THEIR JOBS AND HAD NO ACCESS TO TRANSPORTATION. THE FOOD PANTRY, "CLAUDIA'S HOUSE" PROVIDES PRE-COOKED MEALS, SHELF STABLE PRODUCTS, AND FRESH VEGETABLES AND FRUIT. DURING 2021, CLAUDIA'S HOUSE DISTRIBUTED OVER $188,000 IN PREPARED MEALS, BULK FOOD AND BEVERAGES. A FOOD TRUCK WAS PURCHASED AND OUTFITTED DURING THE YEAR TO ALLOW THE PANTRY TO GO OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE MEALS TO THOSE WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION. THE FOOD TRUCK WAS COMPLETED DURING SUMMER AND WAS USED IN OVER 15 OUTINGS.

THE COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM WAS DEVELOPED TO BUILD STRONGER FAMILIES AND IN TURN STRONGER COMMUNITIES BY PROVIDING THE COMMUNITY WITH THE TOOLS AND SKILLS THEY NEED TO THRIVE. THE COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM FOCUSES ON BENEVOLENCES ARE MADE FOR EMERGENCY RENT ASSISTANCE AND DISASTER SUPPORT. DURING 2021, THE COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM BEGAN OFFERING COUNSELING SERVICES TO RESIDENTS IN THE COMMUNITY STRUGGLING WITH TRAUMA, DEPRESSION, ANGER, ETC. THROUGH A COMBINATION OF GROUP THERAPY SESSIONS AND INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING, THIS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO HEAL INDIVIDUALS SO THEY CAN THRIVE. ANOTHER KEY ARM OF THE PROGRAM ARE "MERCY" GIFTS FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS STRUGGLING WITH RENT, UTILITIES AND OTHER FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS. DURING 2021, MERCY DONATIONS TOTALING $99,926 WERE DISTRIBUTED TO THOSE IN NEED.