The HAWK Institute (Higher Attainment Through Wisdom and Knowledge) is an educational system for increasing the attainment of African American youth and young adults (14-26 years of age) by engaging them in culturally-focused experiences designed to facilitate their academic, personal, career, and economic success. We do this through our intensive Saturday Leadership Academy, our weekly high school-based Learning Communities and through our Career Advancement Academy. The pandemic forced us to shift 60% of our business model to an online, project-based program called Bridge to the Future. This dynamic, interactive learning platform encompasses three learning modules: 1. Multi-Media Academy, 2. Financial Literacy, and 3. Entrepreneurship. We see Bridge to the Future as central educational resource to supplement but not to replace our traditional on-site programs.
The goals of these initiatives are to ensure that youth prosper academically, personally, and economically, and to build a cadre of future leaders who are competent, caring and culturally aware of their commitment to their community.
Our population are from 13-25 years of age. We serve the communities of Oak Park, Meadowview, Fruitridge, Old Sac and portions of Del Paso Heights. Eighty (80%) percent of our youth graduate from high school compared to 68% in Sacramento City Unified School District, and 86% go on to college and/or find meaningful employment. For the majority of our youth they would have not otherwise been able to attain their personal, academic career and economic goals without our assistance.
Youth who have been impacted by HAWK have received over 12,000 hours annually in Critical Thinking/Life Skills, Career Preparedness, Financial Literacy, Academic Support, Service Learning and Leadership Development. All of this is possible due to a highly-trained cadre of mentors and volunteers. Our culturally-responsive and evidence-based mentoring model is a key reason for our success.
Resources are needed to support these initiatives as a majority of the students we serve have fallen behind academically since the pandemic.
Where your contributions and donations go:
1. A donation of $1,000 helps us expand our existing programs to reach more communities and schools in the Twin/Rivers, Natomas, Elk Grove and Folsom Rancho Cordova through our in-school Learning Communities and/or after-school Saturday Academies.
2. A donation of $500 provides a paid internships for youth who enroll in our Career Advancement Academies in Health professions, Multimedia (photography, video production, digital marketing) Entrepreneurship and our new program in careers in Artificial Intelligence.
3. Food vouchers - a donation of $100 provides breakfast for 20 youth.
4. Supplies - donation of $250 helps us purchase iPads for extended career learning and virtual tutoring.
It’s our collective responsibility to reach and teach our youth the vital skills and abilities they need to succeed and prosper, not only for themselves but for the betterment of our community. Please join us in this campaign to educate, elevate and empower our youth.