NEW HOPE ACADEMY OF CHANGE

Mission Statement

The mission of New Hope Academy of Change, NHAC educational organization is to provide comprehensive services and programs to"at- risk" students , equip them with the necessary skills to graduate, attend college, obtain a job and retain a job. Our programs are tailored to students who are at-risk of dropping out of school. Targeted student populations include foster youth, probation youth, pregnant and parenting youth, homeless youth, and youth residing in group home facilities. NHAC’s motto is "On Time...On Task...and On a Mission." This motto as well as philosophy is articulated and emphasized to all students in an effort to promote change and to provide clients with a "New Hope" or "Beginning", reflecting our agency name. NHAC provides a comprehensive, all-inclusive program that supports academic enrichment, college and career readiness, dropout prevention, and intervention programs that utilize best practices of case management and educational intervention, student and parent engagement, health and wellness efforts, and community safety initiatives to improve student outcomes. Many of our clients are on probation and have dropped out of school and need guidance and support. The purpose of this intervention is to provide personalized support for students who need intensive academic interventions to improve academic success. We provide our clients with safe opportunities to grow and develop the tools needed to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency by providing work readiness programs, job placement, and tools for our clients to remain successfully employed. NHAC provides academic instruction, education support, job readiness training, vocational skills development, entrepreneurship training, case management services, designed to increase the academic achievement of low-performing, disadvantaged youth. This includes English Learners (EL) and students with disabilities (SWDs). NHAC is an innovative and progressive learning center that embraces the cultural, linguistically, and developmental differences of its population. Our learning center is designed to collaborate with communities, agencies, and educational institutions to act as a catalyst for change to address the vital aspects of clients by raising their standard of living in their communities. We provide learning opportunities that are both appropriately differentiated as well as gender -oriented and gender- focused. We respect the unique need and strengths of each student, emphasizing cognitive, social, emotional and physical development. By integrating an ethos of service and environmental stewardship, we hope to provide a unique opportunity for personal growth for all who are affiliated with our learning center. It is our fundamental belief that all students who matriculate from the academy should be amply prepared to successfully compete for career performance, promotion, and college admission. NHAC provides educational opportunities to at-risk/high-risk students, and transitioning adults by providing professional development, life skills training, and comprehensive support services. Our program allows our participants to successfully obtain and retain jobs, but also helps them to develop the skills needed to become successful in their career and throughout their life. Participants are given opportunities to grow personally and to improve their neighborhood. They develop problem- solving competence, conflict resolution, positive decision-making, and relationship/team- building skills. Clients learn valuable professional and personal skills that they will enable them to become productive citizens in society. We believe that parents should be continuously involved, informed and engaged in every aspect of their child's success in school. NHAC staff possesses the leadership qualities and skills vital in any educational system where change is necessary and have provided leadership in the improvement of instruction, established and maintained excellent communications with parents, staff and the community ,exercised leadership in staff development and have implemented effective instructional strategies. NHAC has a strong curriculum foundation including an understanding of technology. The staff is equipped with knowledge and expertise to resolve conflicts among people and work with them in such a way as to "bring out their best". We are progressive leaders who adhere to the "open door policy", maintain high visibility, listens to teachers, students, staff, and parents. NHAC Board members are actively involved in community activities, are aware of the problems that educators, parents and students face and support NHAC efforts to increase academic achievement. NHAC also has partnerships with local colleges and universities and provide fieldtrips to familiarize students with college.