Introducing We Care Academy

Introducing We Care Academy

Our Inspiration:

I was inspired to form We Care Academy because I feel that education is the most important factor in growing and developing.  The various programs that We Care Academy has created all have their roots in a community need that myself and directors feel requires great attention. Our Keep Arts Alive program for instance, is a visual arts for schools program to helps substitute the visual arts programs many school’s have had to cut for budget reasons. It is well-known that students who participate in the arts academic grades improve, learn productive creative skills, and build their self-confidence to reach their full potential.

Our program serves students kindergarten through 8^th grade and focuses on developing student’s creativity, imaginations, and self-expression. Combining mathematics, architectural design, simple drawing and painting, and literature we will have students create and design their own cities, stories, and solve problems by visualizing the scenarios. We Care Academy believes that the arts are as integral to learning as all other academic subjects. In the fall of 2011 we are making steps to building our first daycare center for children 9 months to 5 years of age.

Launched:

June 2010 is when We Care Academy was founded and in October 2010 we incorporated.

Where we are Heading:

In 2011 We Care Academy will hopefully be featuring 4 unique programs that will foster positive and constructive youth development. Starting at 9 months of age toddlers can be enrolled in a daycare program that allows them to develop their motor skills, cognitive, and early vocabulary skills. They will be taught how to recognize shapes, patterns, sounds, and more. We will use visual aides to stimulate visual and attention skills. Our Daycare program is for children between the ages of 2 and 5. Our program will help prepare children school and provide quality care for young children.

Children who are 2 and 3 will be enrolled weekly or monthly for a total of 6 to 10 hours a day of childcare. These children will focus on building their social, cognitive, and physical abilities. The children will have story time, vocabulary building exercised, memory and mental development programs, and enrichment tools. Children who are 4 and 5 will be enrolled in a monthly educational program called Daycare PLUS that is academically themed (ex. January is “NUMBER ME THIS” and focuses heavily on building mathematical problem solving skills, February is “MOMENTS OF DISCOVERY” and focuses heavily on scientific and environmental understanding). These programs will coincide with Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning standards. The childcare plus program also includes a Foreign Language and Arts classes for children in the monthly program. Our School’s Out program for school-age children supports their desire to learn by providing new opportunities to help them explore. School-age children up to age 12 can enroll in after-school care, for school holidays and school closings, and summer day-camp programs. Students can spend time with friends and enjoy activities relevant to school-age interests and receive tutoring and homework help from their Leadership Instructors. To make it easy for your family’s schedule, our center will provide transportation to and from select neighborhood schools.

Best Kept Secret for Building a Nonprofit:

Read, network, listen, and ask questions. Before starting a business or making any serious investments do a great deal of research. Be truly passionate about a project before taking it on, otherwise it may become a burden. Lastly, never be afraid to ask for help. It still surprises me how many people are willing to help me accomplish my goals on top of the many talents the people around me posses.

Our Favorite Social Media Sites:

Apart from the company website at wecareacademy.org, Facebook and Twitter are definitely my favorite social media tools to use.

We Care Academy Upcoming Event:

You’re Invited to: Atlanta, Georgia. (WCAYD We Care Academy will be hosting an Art Auction Fundraiser January 29, 2011 at The Beehive Atlanta on 1250 Caroline Street Atlanta, GA 30307 between 6:00pm and 10:00pm. The fundraiser is for program development, community outreach, art supplies for Title I Schools, and to develop a daycare center with a focus on early childhood development for children in Metro Atlanta. For auction submission items, we are looking for local Atlanta artists to showcase their incredible talents. Artwork in the form of paintings, sketches, jewelry, clothing, graphic design, metal work, ceramics, sculpture, and other forms can be accepted. For more detailed information regarding rules, submissions, and the event please visit us online at www.wecareacademy.org and click News and Events.

Interview courtesy of Earl Adams, Founder, We Care Academy