Frequently Asked Questions

What is MPowering Kids?
MPowering Kids is an after-school program providing tutoring, positive adult role models, and cultural enrichment programs for motivated yet economically disadvantaged students.  We follow the students from fourth grade through high school graduation, focusing them on the goal of going to college and supplying them with the necessary tools for success.

Why was MPowering Kids created?
Our concern is that promising, yet economically disadvantaged, students do not have access to the after-school tutoring and homework help that enhances educational learning.  Federal studies show that after-school programs have a direct impact on students’ academic achievements, as well as their ability to avoid gangs, teenage pregnancy, and being a victim of crime.

What is the goal of MPowering Kids?
The goal of MPowering Kids is to bolster academic achievement and provide college preparation for promising students in under-served communities. MPowering Kids teaches a commitment to academic and personal excellence and fosters a life-long love of learning.  Our students are encouraged to develop their potential and leadership skills, and to give back to others through community service.

How will MPowering Kids achieve this goal?
MPowering Kids works intensively with students from their fourth-grade year through their high school graduation, offering nine years of programs and opportunities to acquire the skills, habits, and attitudes necessary to succeed in college and in life.  The expectations for our students are very high.  The program creates a culture of achievement, characterized by high academic and behavioral standards and complemented by a warm and caring support team.  In order to achieve our goals, students and their families must commit to participating in five essential components of the MPowering Kids program. These are:

1. Tutoring

2. MPathy Community Service Projects

3. Cultural Events

4. Recreational Outings and Activities

5. Guest Speaker Series

Click here to read more about MPowering Kids programs.

What does the program look like?
MPowering Kids begins working with its participants in the summer between the student's third and fourth grade years. The summer program consists of six mandatory sessions throughout the summer.  The six sessions are a mix of academic and recreational activities.

The summer sessions allow us to work with the students and families and observe how they interact with one another. Also, regular meetings in the summer promote a "club" spirit among the participants.  We consider it critical to the success of the program that the children feel that they are truly members of something special and desirable.  We want them to feel lucky to be a part of MPowering Kids.

What happens during the school year?
Participating students are required to attend the MPowering Kids program three days each week and have the option of attending up to five days each week. The program creates connections with the traditional school-day curriculum and instruction, but doesn't duplicate it. Instead, we offer activities that stress skill acquisition, problem solving, and nurturing relations with caring adults.

The program focuses on tutoring, mentoring, cultural enrichment, guest speakers, community service and "real life" skills.  Each activity the students participate in complements their classroom learning. In addition, we "teach to the test" with regard to standardized tests, offering practice tests and test skill enhancement. Our high standards for attendance, discipline and academic achievement ensure that we reach our goal of enhancing the grades and skills of our participants.

What makes MPowering Kids unique?
MPowering Kids was created to offer 9 full years of tutoring, mentoring, cultural enrichment, guest- speaker interaction and community service opportunities for economically disadvantaged, yet motivated students. The program has an underlying focus on college preparation and creating the skills necessary to become productive and caring adults. There is no other after-school program in the area that follows the students from 4th though 12th grade and that involves so many volunteers from the local community. MPowering Kids works closely with, and is fully supported by, the Westbury Union Free School District.

Finally, MPowering Kids is unique in that we seek to foster an environment in which our concern for helping others is passed on to those we help. Therefore, we require our students to be constantly engaged in community service projects that help others in need. It is a core philosophy of the MPowering Kids program that our participants learn to value their self-worth and seek to benefit others.

How many students are currently in the program?
There are over 40 fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh grade children enrolled in the MPowering Kids program for the 2005-2006 school year.  Not only will we follow this class through the twelfth grade, but at the beginning of each successive school year we will also add another group of fourth graders to the program.  In this way, by 2010, there will be almost 150 students in the MPowering Kids program, ranging from the fourth grade to the twelfth grade.

By the end of 2010, our "freshman" class will be graduating from high school and will be getting ready to go off to college. With the help of the MPowering Kids program, we intend for them to have been admitted to the college of their choice and to have secured the financial aid and scholarships necessary to make it possible for them to achieve their long-held goal of acquiring an undergraduate education.

Why is the program located on Long Island?
Although many charitable programs exist for low-income students in the inner city, similar programs are not as numerous on Long Island.  That is why MPowering Kids has chosen to begin its program working with students in Westbury, Long Island.  The Westbury Union Free School District has partnered with MPowering Kids to offer the physical location for the program.  The administration, teachers and staff have offered invaluable help in selecting the students for our program and have not only cooperated with us fully, but have eagerly encouraged our success.

Why Does MPowering Kids encourage Community Service?
MPowering Kids is unique in that we seek to foster an environment in which our concern for helping others is passed on to those we help.  Therefore, we require our students to be constantly engaged in community service projects that help others in need.  It is a core philosophy of the MPowering Kids program that our participants learn to value their self-worth and seek to benefit others.

Where does the funding for MPowering Kids come from?
The MPowering Kids program has been funded by the generosity of individual contributors, corporate sponsors and grants from foundations such as The Harnisch Family Foundation and The Google Foundation.

In addition, we have been fortunate to partner with The Westbury Union Free School District in Westbury, Long Island, which furnishes us with after-school and summer program space, office space, as well as bus transportation for the children.

How can I make a donation to MPowering Kids?

Every tax-deductible donation (large or small) makes a difference!

Plus, your money will work as hard as we do, since over 91% of each dollar you donate will go directly to program services!

Please join our sponsors and make a difference today by visiting our Make A Donation page.  The children, staff and volunteers of MPowering Kids deeply appreciate any assistance you can lend us!

Are there any other ways I can support MPowering Kids?

Yes! just by volunteering just a few hours of your time each week or month at MPowering Kids can be an extremely satisfying experience!

We rely heavily on volunteers, and you'll be helping both your community and our students by assisting us with the hundreds of different projects we sponsor each year.  Plus, you'll gain the satisfaction of knowing that your efforts have made a big difference in the lives of our students.

 

Thinking about volunteering?   See what other MPowering Kids volunteers say about working with our promising students by watching the MPowering Kids Volunteer Video!

MPoweringKids is a charitable not-for-profit organization, registered as a 501(c)(3) with the state of California and the IRS.  Our Federal Identification Number is 71-0864318.  Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

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