THE OUTKAST ACADEMY
A 501 C3 Non-Profit Organization
Our Global Outreach program exists to bring high-quality arts programs and hygiene awareness to refugee camps across the world. By partnering with existing organizations, we are giving refugee children and families the opportunity to have a meaningful arts experience while learning the importance of practicing hygienic care. We are accomplishing both goals despite the persecution and poverty they are already facing. Our program has already reached locations such as Kenya, Jordan, and Palestine.
STATS
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Due to population density, refugees can share communal bathrooms with up to 50 people, resulting in poor hygiene practices and exposure to diseases.
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The majority of refugee camps consist of harsh environments that generally suffer from untreated water and poor sanitation.
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Though scarce throughout many refugee camps, artistic involvement has the potential to help refugees surive physically and emotionally, and help them engage meaningfully despite their painful circumstance
SPEAK LOVE
Our mentoring program creates a nurturing environment that encourages the development of leadership skill sets and character traits that will guide the students toward becoming self-sustaining individuals leading them to a path of success, accomplishments, and individuality. We approach every topic with a thorough teaching process that includes both learning and implementation, creating esteemed individuals through self-realization.
Curriculum Topics:
Judgment vs Character Judgement
Building Confidence
Communication & Connection
Trust
Integrity
Teamwork
Teachability
Building Relationships
Conflict Resolution
Accountability
STATS
Students who meet regularly with their mentors are 52% less likely than their peers to skip a day of school and 37%
less likely to skip a class.
Youth who meet regularly with their mentors are 46% less likely than their peers to start using illegal drugs and 27% less likely to start drinking.
Mentoring reduces “ depression symptoms” and increases “ social acceptance, academic attitudes
and grades.”
ACADEMICS
Our academics program takes seriously the role a proper education plays in the success of individuals and challenges students to think critically about their own education and goals. Every academic year students receive the guidance and assistance they need to ensure they are on track to graduating and accomplishing their goals. We offer academic counseling, tutoring, free resources, and workshops to help students succeed in their classes, prepare for higher education and gain a new perspective on learning. Through each activity and interaction, students continually gain the perspective that education is not just a phase of life, but a way of life.
Subjects Offered:
Math
English
Science
History
Government
Economics
College Application Assistance
College Help
We help our students who have transitioned from
high school to college establish clear goals along with concrete steps to accomplish those goals.
STATS
• Improves academic performance.
• Improves attitude towards learning and school.
• Improves work and study habits.
• Helps overcome learning obstacles.
• Encourages the freedom to ask questions.
• Prepares youth for college.
HOLY FIT
Our fitness program is a physically demanding program that challenges students mentally to become self-disciplined finishers. Students learn how to take care of their minds and bodies while overcoming the superficial physical stereotypes that come with working out in society. The workout classes our students participate in also include reflections and discussions in order to aid students in seeing the long-term effects of healthy living on their attitudes, habits, and mental health. We teach students that body definition does not define us and that health starts from the inside out.
Training Offered:
Group Fitness Classes
H.I.I.T Training
Sports Performance
Nutrition
Strength & Conditioning
STATS
• Studies have shown good youth fitness practices have a positive effect on academic performance, improving their mental capabilities if the child is exercising at least 2-3 times a week for 30 minutes or more.
• Decreases long-term risk factors that can lead to chronic diseases.
• Fitness helps to improve concentration, memory, and classroom behavior.
• There's a 70% chance that an overweight adolescent will remain overweight or obese as an adult.
Student
&
Family Aid
Our family student aid program focuses on assisting our students and their families who lack financial resources to sustain their basic needs, and, who are also facing homelessness. We work to supply each family with their emergency needs, including but not limited to, groceries, water, school supplies, and clothing. We also assist with resources for temporary housing for families while they work to recover from poverty, find stable jobs, and provide the most important needs to their children.
OUR PROGRAMS
ARTS & EDUCATION
Our dance program enables students to tap into their creative selves by teaching them the value of self-expression and instilling newfound confidence in their artistic capabilities. By combining rigorous physical training in a wide range of dance styles and dance education, students gain a fresh understanding of dance as expression and performance. We foster a no-judgement culture that promotes creative growth, vision, and technique--transforming all students into confident, passionate, and powerful dancers despite the amount of prior experience.
Training Offered:
HipHop
Krump
Breakdancing
Pop
Lyrical
Contemporary
Rhythmic Grooves
Pop and Lock
House
Latin Fusion
Youth Transformation Showcase
The Outkast Academy hosts an annual spring show that highlights the transformation of our students and shares their personal journeys of triumphantly overcoming life challenges. In preparation for the show, students learn how to channel their emotions in a healthy and creative way while learning soft skills and character skills including, but not limited to, teamwork, integrity, perseverance, communication and conflict resolution. All students who are involved in our program participate in our annual culmination to showcase their work for the community.