WATER WALKERS
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Mission Statement
We provide access and opportunities for youth in urban areas to experience watersports, outdoor adventure, and educational resources, resulting in confident and empowered leaders who are ready to walk on the rough waters of life.
About This Cause
Water Walkers' VISION is to narrow the achievement gap by showing youth they're capable of overcoming obstacles with persistence and creating the future they see for themselves. We are doing that by providing youth with two things that greatly increase their chances of success: First, we're equipping them with the mindset and skills they need to work hard, work smart, and persevere. Second, we're providing a positive environment for youth to build trusting, consistent, long-term relationships with adult and peer mentors during the critical transition to adulthood. During the school year, Water Walkers provides after-school tutoring and enrichment programs Monday-Friday. Students learn how to think critically, embrace challenges, and keep going in the face of setbacks. During out-of-school time, we provide outdoor recreation and watersports-based development programs that give young people opportunities to share new experiences, face and overcome self-doubt, and discover their strengths. Water Walkers builds its programming on five key pillars: 1) Outdoor Adventure -- providing access to outdoor recreation and mentorship for all youth in our program. 2) Educational Enrichment -- improving their levels of literacy, math, and science. 3) Mental Wellness -- providing clinical support to help our children better cope with Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). 4) Basic Needs -- providing necessary resources to maintain their personal hygiene and to eat nutritiously. 5) Leadership Development -- training older teens to lead, make wise choices, and prepare for the job market. EDUCATIONAL ENRICHMENT Water Walkers provides after-school tutoring and enrichment programs Monday-Friday for youth from the Edgehill community. Nearly 90% of the kids we serve read and write below their grade level. Our program includes 1.5 hours of physical activity through outdoor play, followed by a fresh hot meal, and then tutoring. In addition to helping with homework, we use the IXL software which evaluates academic levels to better understand where students need additional support. The program adapts "to where the child is", providing content and questions within the individual's current learning level. It then monitors each child's progress as they master the material. Another key component of the educational program is teaching financial literacy and budgeting. Using age-appropriate curriculum from Junior Achievement, volunteers guide groups through the learning process on Financial Fridays. We conduct 8-12 sessions in the spring and another 8-12 sessions in the fall. WELLNESS Due to inadequate healthcare and related resources, Water Walkers addresses mental health issues. Because children who live in poverty are much more likely to have Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE's) which can have significant negative short- and long-term consequences, Water Walkers is committed to providing mental health assessments and treatments for the children served. We now partner with licensed counselors to provide weekly group sessions (divided by age). They are able to work with the kids (and their families) to offer social-emotional support. anger management training, trauma informed care, group counseling, one-on-one counseling, anxiety relief workshops, and depression relief workshops. OUTDOOR ADVENTURE Water Walkers provides access to outdoor adventures for underserved youth where transportation and funds inhibit their ability to experience the beauty of nature. Because of these barriers, the majority have never seen wildlife or participated in common outdoor experiences. The summer water sports program offers youth a chance to learn how to swim, tube, wakeboard, ski and enjoy other water activities. Other year-round outdoor adventures include but are not limited to: hiking, biking, rock climbing, zip lining, and high ropes courses. These experiences create a unique space for youth to build confidence and competencies by facing fears and overcoming challenges. BASIC NEEDS Many of the youth we serve do not have consistent access to healthy food, clean clothing (including undergarments), and daily toiletries and hygiene products. We address the scarcity of these items by conducting a thorough needs assessment and partnering with organizations and individuals to fill the gaps. Boxes of food and hygiene products are delivered weekly to qualified families. LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT Developing young leaders is fundamental to our mission and connects all the other pillars together. Our leadership program is the pinnacle of achievement for our participants. It graduates the youth from adolescence into the real world, no matter what school or career path they choose. This opportunity is a paid 12-month program that consists of four elements:--Work Experience--Life-skills Workshops--Financial Literacy (weekly sessions)--College Preparation In order to participate, applicants must commit to all aspects of the program, be from the community served, and be 14-18 years old. There is a chance for participants to extend the work contract past 12 months based on performance. A key component of the Leadership Program is providing the participants access to adult mentors whose influence as role models helps the kids envision their futures.