2021 COMBAT Funding: $19,200.00

in KCFAA's Own Words

AileyCamp/AileyCamp The Group is a well-established, innovative summer and after-school hours youth violence prevention program. The program has a long-term proven record of measurable success, particularly with underserved youth and youth of color. KCFAA uses the arts coupled with intensive personal development curriculum driven by the research-informed, violence prevention, empathy curriculum of the Oakland Men’s Project, “How to stop the violence that tears our lives apart” and creative writing classes in the implementation of AileyCamp/AileyCamp the Group.

KCFAA programming makes constructive learning activities—physical, social and emotional—opportunities for students to form enduring, supportive relationships with adults (educators, parents, family members, guardians). AileyCamp/AileyCamp The Group benefit youth from low-income households in historically undeserved communities identified as hotspots in Jackson County and who experience or are at high risk for experiencing adverse childhood experiences.

AileyCamp/AileyCamp the Group targets middle and high school age youth (11 - 18 years).

Making Positive Life Choices

KCFAA implements innovate high-quality programs that studies indicate help reduce/prevent youth violence and victimization, supporting youth in making positive life choices at critical stages in their young lives. 

KCFAA uses the arts as a catalyst to help youth develop/improve self-discipline, creative expression, cooperative learning and listening, problem solving and critical thinking skills. Youth violence prevention program components include:

• Classes in ballet, modern, jazz and tap dance (the physicality and discipline in dance training is equal to that required for any sport); 
• history, choreography and performance; 
• Personal Development classes daily using empathy curriculum;
• and Creative Expression classes (including spoken word, poetry, and creative writing). 

This project makes constructive learning activities and essential opportunities to form enduring, supportive relationships with adults accessible to youth at high risk for being victims, perpetrators or witnesses of violent crime.  

Receiving Strong Suppport From Adults

This project provides opportunities for youth to learn from and be supported by adults who look like them. Black youth do not commonly experience programs implemented from the top and down by women and men of color providers.

In addition to year-round sessions, opportunities are offered for structured recreational interventions and age-relevant group discussion about reducing violence in and around their lives. The focused classes, workshops and field trips offered support improved critical thinking, conflict management and problem solving, ultimately avoiding choices that could lead to crime and/or violent crime victimization. 

The program serves 210 youth: 100 middle school age children AileyCamp (AC) and approximately 108 high school students year round through after school programming, AileyCamp the Group (ACTG). 

Students: 80% are eligible for free and reduced lunch and of those 49.5% are from households living at or below the poverty line (extremely low income). At no cost, AileyCamp students are fully outfitted with school supplies, backpacks, T-shirts, shorts, uni-tards and dance shoes. Meals and transportation are also provided at no cost to the student or family. 

More Than A Dance Program

More than “a dance program,” AileyCamp was created as an early dropout prevention summer program for youth ages 11 – 14. This is a six-week program that occurs when students are out of school for the summer, Monday throuhg Friday from 7:45 am to 2:45 pm. Project activities include:

•  Starting each day with affirmations: I will greet this day with love in my heart. - I am a winner. - I am in control. - I will think before I act. - I will listen to learn. - I will pay attention with my mind, body and spirit. - I will treat others with courtesy and respect at all times. - I will treat others as I would like to be treated. - I will keep a positive attitude all day, every day. - I will not use the word; “Can’t” to define my possibilities.

•  Daily personal development classes where students engage in activities from the Oakland Men’s Project curriculum. Participants learn coping skills and build on personal skills to manage adverse situations. An important classroom aspect is group dialogue where students engage in discussion about subjects about bullying, suicide ideation, healthy relationships, self-esteem, self-discipline, drug awareness and refusal from a middle school student perspective.

•  Class instruction in Creative Expression where students engage in writing, poetry, spoken word, etc. Assignments are used to counter adversity they may experience in their daily lives at school, home and or the community. Exploring digital art as an added means of creative expression while also providing students opportunities to catch up or sharpen technology skills.

•  Daily instruction in dance discipline in modern, ballet, jazz, dance, and tap where students experience the cathartic benefits of the physicality of movement and strengthening personal skills as physical activity plays a role in reducing feelings of anxiety, negativity and aggressiveness.