Kidworks Community Development Corporation

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.

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM:THE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM PLACES 400 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 TO BE 'LIFE-READY LEARNERS AND LEADERS.' KIDWORKS WHOLISTIC PROGRAMMING FOCUSES ON THREE CRITICAL AREAS FOR DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING; PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS, AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT. POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT RELATIONSHIPS THAT BEGIN IN PRESCHOOL AND CONTINUE THROUGH COLLEGE IS FOUNDATIONAL TO OUR APPROACH. SUCH RELATIONSHIPS ARE DEVELOPED THROUGH WELL-EQUIPPED, COMMITTED, AND CULTURALLY COMPETENT STAFF, ENGAGED VOLUNTEERS AND MENTORS, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS. PROGRAM EXPERIENCES FOCUS ON HOMEWORK ASSISTANCE, WORKSHOPS, MUSIC, SPORTS, SEL LEANING AND MORE. LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES ARE NURTURED THROUGH THE LEADER IN ME FRAMEWORK, A FRANKLIN COVEY PROGRAM AND CASEL APPROVED PROGRAM FOR SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING.IN 2022-2023, KIDWORKS WAS PROUD OF STUDENT GRADUATION AND PROMOTION RATES, 98% OF INTERMEDIATE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS GRADUATED ON-TIME.(COMPARED TO A NATIONAL AVERAGE OF 42% OF YOUTH AS RESEARCHED BY THE SEARCH INSTITUTE.)IN 2022-2023, 91% OF YOUTH FELT INSPIRED TO THINK OF DIFFERENT POSSIBILITIES FOR THEIR FUTURE.IN 2022-2023, AT LEAST 61% OF 4-12TH GRADE STUDENTS FELT THEY HAD SOCIAL COMPETENCY SKILLS TO INTERACT EFFECTIVELY WITH OTHERS, MAKE DIFFICULT DECISIONS, AND COPE WITH NEW SITUATIONS.IN 2022-2023, 86% OF YOUTH FELT THAT KIDWORKS STAFF HELP THEM LEARN FROM THEIR MISTAKES.IN 2022-2023, 41 YOUTH PARTICIPATED IN A YOUTH LEADERSHIP TEAM.644 VOLUNTEERS CONTRIBUTED OVER 11,785 HOURS OF SERVICE IN SUPPORT OF THE KIDWORKS MISSION.

COLLEGE & CAREER & FAMILY & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:FAMILY & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT BUILDS AND DEVELOPS LEADERS WHO GIVE BACK AND SERVE THEIR COMMUNITY. AT KIDWORKS WE BELIEVE PARENTS ARE THE FIRST EDUCATORS OF THEIR CHILDREN, AND IN ORDER FOR CHILDREN TO SUCCEED, PARENTS MUST BE ENGAGED AND SUPPORTED. KIDWORKS OFFERS A VARIETY OF CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS LED BY EXPERTS IN THE FIELD IN THE AREAS OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH, FINANCE AND TECHNOLOGY TO PROVIDE FURTHER EDUCATION FOR PARENTS. PARENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE PROVIDED WITH REFERRALS AND RESOURCES TO BETTER SUPPORT THE FAMILY. USING THE STRENGTHS OF CENTRAL SANTA ANA, PARENTS WORK ALONGSIDE COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO MAKE THE NEIGHBORHOODS SURROUNDING KIDWORKS A BETTER PLACE. KIDWORKS' PARENTS PARTICIPATE IN PARENTING WORKSHOPS, IN LEADERSHIP GROUPS, SUCH AS THE PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL (PAC), EDUCATIONAL CLASSES, AND COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS/PROJECTS. KIDWORKS PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL (PAC) IS A HIGHLY ACTIVE GROUP OF PARENT LEADERS WHO MEET MONTHLY TO DISCUSS ISSUES FACING THE COMMUNITY, AND DEVISE STRATEGIES TO OVERCOME THOSE CHALLENGES. THEY ALSO SPEAK INTO KIDWORKS PROGRAMS, PROVIDE FEEDBACK, AND PLAN EVENTS FOR PARENTS IN THE COMMUNITY.COLLEGE AND CAREER SERVICES WERE OFFERED TO YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS (PROGRAM ALUMNI.) SERVICES INCLUDE COLLEGE READINESS WORKSHOPS, COLLEGE APPLICATION SUPPORT, COLLEGE VISITATIONS, CAREER EXPLORATION, COLLEGE SUPPORT, INTERNSHIP SUPPORT AND MORE. IN 2022-2023, WE HAD THE BIGGEST 12TH GRADE CLASS IN RECENT KIDWORKS HISTORY: 25 STUDENTS. 44% OF 12TH GRADE STUDENTS JOINED KIDWORKS IN PRESCHOOL. 96% OF 12TH GRADE STUDENTS GRADUATED ON-TIME AND 96% OF HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS ENROLLED IN POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION. COLLEGES INCLUDE SANTA ANA COLLEGE, IRVINE VALLEY COLLEGE, ORANGE COAST COLLEGE, CAL STATE FULLERTON, CAL STATE LONG BEACH, CAL POLY SAN LUIS OBISPO, AND VANGUARD UNIVERSITY. IN ADDITION, OUT OF THE 64 PROGRAM ALUMNI ENROLLED IN OUR COLLEGE SUCCESS PROGRAM, 70% PROMOTED TO THEIR NEXT LEVEL OF POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION. FINALLY, 10 STUDENTS COMPLETED THEIR PROGRAM: 8 STUDENTS RECEIVED THEIR BACHELOR'S DEGREE WITHIN 6 YEARS OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION, 1 STUDENT RECEIVED THEIR ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE, AND 1 STUDENT COMPLETED A VOCATIONAL PROGRAM.

PRESCHOOL:KIDWORKS CDC OPERATES A LICENSED STATE PRESCHOOL SERVING 48 STUDENTS; PROVIDING ON-SITE LEARNING FOR 2.9-5-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN. 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. 97% 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 QUALITYSTART 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. WE PARTNER WITH PBS SOCAL AND STARTWELL AS WELL TO ENHANCE OUR PROGRAMMING.