 On Wednesday, February 14th, our organization joined the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network and youth development nonprofits from across the state for Afterschool Day at the Capitol. This uplifting event offered us the opportunity to meet with legislators in Atlanta and advocate for increased funding and support of vital afterschool initiatives. Now more than ever, our youth depend on these inspiring programs to help empower them to become compassionate leaders. Led by our Vice President of Development, Ty Woods, and Curriculum and Training Specialist, India Mason, we showcased the transformational impact of high-quality afterschool and summer learning programs under the Gold Dome. Our team met with several state senators and representatives to discuss the growing need for youth enrichment programs statewide.  With budgets getting tighter each year, we depend on our legislators to fight for Georgia’s future innovators and change-makers by ensuring funding for exceptional learning opportunities outside the classroom. Studies show that students who regularly attend high-quality afterschool programs not only perform better academically but also display improvements in school attendance, behavior, and engagement. These enriching programs cultivate the talents and interests of each student – from technology and arts to civic leadership and beyond.
If we want to see our youth thrive as empowered, passionate leaders, then we must invest in their growth today. By supporting organizations like the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network, our legislators can expand access to programs that are advancing equity and nurturing potential in communities statewide. It takes all of us working together to create a Georgia where every child, regardless of background, has a chance to pursue their dreams.
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 We are pleased to inform you that Chris Woods, the CEO/Executive Director of Artportunity Knocks, has joined the Mentor Georgia Provider Council. This appointment aligns with Artportunity Knocks' mission to empower youth and create opportunities in the Arts, Education, Community Service, and Bridging Cultures.
Every year, one in every three young people grows up without a mentor, leaving a significant mentoring gap in society. To address this critical issue, it is essential to align systems, promote best practices, and support leadership development in community-based programs. Mentor Georgia, as part of the National Mentoring Partnership, plays a vital role in bridging this gap and acting as a catalyst for Georgia's burgeoning mentoring movement. The Mentor Georgia Provider Council serves as an important platform to enhance members' ability to deliver high-quality mentoring services to youth across the state. By collaborating with Mentor Georgia and having access to resources and tools through their affiliation with the National Mentoring Partnership, council members can support and further develop their mentoring programs. Membership in the Mentor Georgia Provider Council is voluntary, with staggered three-year terms. Diversity is a key focus, seeking representation from different program models, geographic locations, and mentorship of specific groups. The council identifies new members through an informal nominating process, and decisions are made through a consensus approach. Council members are responsible for attending meetings, sharing expertise, collecting data, and serving on standing committees. It is expected that members adhere to evidence-based practices for quality youth mentoring, including completion of training series and participation in the National Quality Mentoring System. CEO/Executive Director Chris Woods joining the Mentor Georgia Provider Council reinforces Artportunity Knocks' commitment to empower youth, bridge communities, and address the mentoring gap. By collaborating with Mentor Georgia and other council members, the organization aims to amplify its impact and create more opportunities for young individuals to thrive in the Arts, Education, Community Service, and Bridging Cultures. Stay connected with Mentor Georgia to support their mission and join the efforts to empower Georgia's youth. Together, we can bridge the mentoring gap and nurture the next generation of leaders.  It brings us great joy to share that our very own VP of Programs and Development, Ty Woods, has been selected as an After School Community Champion by the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network (GSAN) for the 2023-2024 term. This prestigious recognition is a testament to Ty's dedication and commitment to youth development and community advocacy.
The Afterschool Community Champions program is a vital part of GSAN's mission to advance, connect, and support quality out-of-school time programs that foster the success of youth across Georgia. Champions, like Ty, are exceptional leaders who commit to a year of civic engagement to strengthen community awareness, support effective programs, and bring diverse perspectives and partners to the table regarding out-of-school time programming. One of the many benefits of the program is its regular offerings for professional development, leadership, and networking. Ty will have the opportunity to connect with leaders and stakeholders who deeply care about the lives of children in our state. Throughout the program, Champions develop an advocacy action plan, followed by the implementation of advocacy events with the support of a stipend. This recognition not only benefits Ty personally, but it also greatly benefits our organization, Artportunity Knocks. As Ty serves as our VP of Programs, she will bring back valuable insights, knowledge, and connections gained through her participation as an After School Community Champion. This will enable us to further strengthen our programs and initiatives, while advocating for sound public policy around after school and summer programming. Ty's journey in youth development spans over 20 years, starting as an Afterschool Program instructor and theater performer. She then expanded her scope to include child abuse advocacy with the VI Domestic Violence Council before moving to Georgia. She quickly made an impact as the Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club in Conyers. Fueled by her unwavering passion for the Arts and developing the "whole child," Ty co-founded Artportunity Knocks with her husband, Chris Woods, and a childhood friend. Her dedication and balance between advocacy work and family life are truly inspiring. As Ty embarks on this remarkable journey as an After School Community Champion, we are confident that she will continue to make a significant difference in the lives of youth in our community. We wholeheartedly congratulate Ty Woods on this well-deserved recognition and applaud her commitment to promoting quality out-of-school time programs for the benefit of our youth. Together, let's continue to empower and support the next generation.  We are thrilled to announce that Artportunity Knocks has been awarded a generous grant of $38,250 from the Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA)! This grant is part of the first-round funding for fiscal year 2024, which includes 269 grants across 47 Georgia counties. The grant will allow us to offer free arts programming and serve exceptional needs students in the area.
At Artportunity Knocks, we are committed to investing in and improving the communities where we live and serve. We are grateful for the Georgia Council for the Arts' support, which aligns with our organizational efforts to promote Arts Education and empower youth to make smart and positive choices using the Arts. This grant funding focuses on Academic Achievement and Education, Healthy Youth Development, Economic Opportunity, and Community Resiliency – all priorities that we are passionate about and that will help us continue our efforts to provide access to summer programming for metro Atlanta youth. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Georgia Council for the Arts for their unwavering support of the arts and our organization. With their help, we will continue to make a difference in the lives of young people in our community. We're thrilled to present an enlightening conversation with the Principal of Kimberly Elementary School, Joseph L. Salley. Join us as he takes us on a journey through his remarkable experiences in education and the incredible impact of after-school programs on his students.
In this interview, Principal Salley opens up about his motivations for getting into education and the rewarding aspects of leading Kimberly Elementary. Hear the transformative effects of Artportunity Knocks programming and how it has made a lasting difference for the students.  We are thrilled to announce an incredible milestone achieved by our very own Chris Woods, who recently completed the Chick-fil-A Impact Accelerator cohort program for 2022-2023. As a result of his remarkable dedication and hard work, Chris has been awarded a grant of $10,000 upon his graduation. This significant accomplishment not only highlights Chris's commitment to community-driven leadership but also symbolizes the tremendous impact he has had on our organization. Over the past ten months, Chris has been an exceptional participant in the Chick-fil-A Impact Accelerator cohort program. This program provided him with invaluable opportunities for growth, including immersive training sessions and networking events. He consistently demonstrated his passion and drive for advancing our organization's mission. Chris's achievement is a testament to his visionary leadership and entrepreneurial spirit. His unwavering commitment to our organization's core values has helped propel us to new heights. By actively engaging in the program's resources, he harnessed development tools that will undoubtedly contribute to our continued success. Chris's dedication has not only benefited our organization but also had a profound impact on the communities we serve. His hard work and passion have helped us create positive change and make a lasting difference. We are immensely proud of Chris's accomplishments and grateful for the influence he continues to have.   We're thrilled to share with you our 2022 Annual Report, showcasing an amazing year of artistry, growth, and impact at Artportunity Knocks.
Join us as we look back on the incredible journey we've had, celebrating the incredible talent, creativity, and dedication of our students, teachers, and community partners. In 2022, we saw countless moments of artistic brilliance, from captivating exhibitions to breathtaking performances. Our students explored new techniques, improved their skills, and discovered their true artistic potential. But that's not all! With your unwavering support, we reached new heights and expanded our programs, creating more opportunities for young artists to shine. Take a peek at our 2022 Annual Report to immerse yourself in the inspiring stories, stunning visuals, and impactful initiatives that made last year truly remarkable. Together, let's continue to nurture and empower the next generation of artists! View 2022 Annual Report  Artportunity Knocks' CEO, Chris Woods, was recently featured in an interview with ShoutOut Atlanta, where he shared insights on the organization's dedication to the community through arts education and enrichment programs. Artportunity Knocks aims to provide underserved youth access to quality arts education and programming that help them develop their talents and reach their full potential.
Chris's entrepreneurial spirit and leadership have played a critical role in making this mission a reality. The interview also touches on Chris's journey as a serial entrepreneur and his favorite places to visit in Atlanta. Learn more about Artportunity Knocks and Chris's inspiring journey when you to check out the interview here.  Chris Woods, Ayanna Overall, and Malika Garrett from our board of directors headed to southwest Atlanta to participate in Kimberly Elementary's Career Day. They welcomed the opportunity to speak to the youth about their career aspirations, the challenges ahead, and how they could work toward their goals.
During the event they connected with others in the community like Char, a woodworker/wood shop teacher here in Atlanta and country music artist Carl Ray. Our pillar of community service aims to spark hope and positive change with positive arts. We hope by exposing the youth to a variety of careers that they will be better equipped for success in the future. Thank you to counselor Crystal Reed for the invite and gift bag and Principal Joseph Salley for his time. |
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January 2025
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