Are you passionate about making a difference in a young person’s life? The After School Kids (ASK) Program at Georgetown University offers a unique opportunity to mentor and guide youth in the DC metropolitan area. If you’re looking to contribute to a meaningful After Care Program Kis initiative focused on positive youth development, explore how ASK is shaping futures.
Our Origin Story: A Vision for Youth Support
The ASK Program’s roots trace back to 1987, born from a collaboration between juvenile probation officers, the Honorable Justice Ricardo Urbina, and Father Harold Bradley, SJ of Georgetown University. Justice Urbina sought mentors for young people involved with the DC Superior Court’s Family Branch, and Father Bradley answered the call, establishing ASK. Notably, ASK’s first tutor was Dr. Daniel Porterfield, a Georgetown alumnus who went on to become a distinguished leader in higher education and now heads the Aspen Institute. Dr. Porterfield’s early direction set the program’s course: to empower adjudicated youth by providing enriching learning experiences and equipping them with crucial life skills to overcome challenges and achieve positive change.
Mission: Cultivating Potential and Driving Change
The After School Kids (ASK) Program is dedicated to serving at-promise youth – pre-teens, teenagers, and young adults – within the DC metro area. These are young individuals actively striving for positive change in their lives and aiming to become catalysts for progress within their communities. Recognizing that some youth face significant systemic barriers, including the school-to-prison pipeline, ASK provides vital support. These barriers can impede access to high school diplomas, career exploration, post-secondary education, and navigation of complex social systems. Despite these obstacles, the young people ASK serves hold a powerful vision for a brighter future, fueled by education, social action, and personal well-being. ASK’s mission is to support them in realizing these aspirations through culturally sensitive mentoring and tutoring practices firmly rooted in social justice principles. This after care program kis approach ensures that each young person receives tailored support that acknowledges their unique background and experiences.
Vision: Advocacy and Support for Every Young Person
Our vision is that every young person in Washington, DC, receives the advocacy and support they need within their schools and communities to prevent involvement with the criminal legal system. If ASK cannot directly provide this support, we are committed to connecting them with resources and individuals who can.
To foster resilience and empower youth, the ASK Program employs a multifaceted approach:
- Near-Peer Mentoring Model: Georgetown University undergraduate students serve as tutors and mentors, creating relatable and supportive relationships with DC youth.
- Personalized Academic Support: ASK provides individualized tutoring, homework assistance, and test preparation for the GED, ACT, and SAT, ensuring academic success is within reach.
- College Exposure: Workshops and community days held on Georgetown University’s campus introduce youth to the college experience, inspiring higher education aspirations.
- Lifelong Learning Skills: The program promotes the development of essential skills and behaviors that foster a commitment to continuous learning and personal growth.
- Socio-Emotional Learning (SEL): ASK incorporates SEL activities to build crucial social and emotional skills necessary for navigating life’s challenges and building healthy relationships.
- Social Justice Education: Youth are encouraged to critically analyze societal issues and explore how they can contribute to building a more just and equitable society. This critical component of the after care program kis initiative empowers youth to become agents of change.
Voices of Impact: Testimonials
- “I wish I would have started [with ASK] earlier than I did.” – ASK Advocacy Coordinator, highlighting the program’s long-term value.
- “My favorite part of ASK is definitely the tutoring…getting to connect [with the students] one-on-one.” – ASK mentor/tutor at YouthBuild PCS, emphasizing the power of personal connections.
- “Students love them. They’ve established some really good connections.” – YouthBuild PCS staff member, attesting to the positive impact on students.
Current Programs: Engaging and Impactful Opportunities
Mentoring and Tutoring: Academic and Personal Growth
ASK’s core mentoring and tutoring program provides youth with crucial academic support and guidance towards achieving their long-term personal and educational goals. Youth engage in ASK programming 1-2 times per week, working individually or in small groups with their Georgetown mentors. Beyond academic improvement, the program emphasizes social-emotional learning and the significance of educational attainment as pathways to future success. Mentors and tutors work with students across various DC schools, spanning middle school through high school and beyond, covering core subjects and diverse grade levels. While prior experience in mentoring or tutoring is welcomed, it is not a prerequisite. Georgetown University students can participate as volunteers and may also utilize their Federal Work Study (FWS) awards to support their involvement in this impactful program. This after care program kis model provides crucial support outside of school hours, helping students thrive.
Our current partners and program schedules include:
- Social Justice School (Mondays and Fridays, 3:00 PM – 6:15 PM)
- Washington School for Girls (Mondays and Wednesdays, 2:45 PM – 6:00 PM)
- Girls Global Academy (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:15 PM – 3:15 PM)
- YouthBuild Public Charter School (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM)
Committees: Driving Outreach and Advocacy
ASK’s committees are essential in building bridges between the program, Georgetown University, and the wider DC community. These committees engage in vital social justice work through communications, outreach, and research & advocacy initiatives. The Communications committee spearheads timely social media campaigns, develops strategies to expand ASK’s online presence, and crafts engaging content for social media platforms. The Outreach committee focuses on identifying and creating opportunities for community engagement and outreach on campus, including planning events for the youth ASK serves. The Research and Advocacy committee dedicates itself to researching and connecting with criminal and youth justice organizations beyond Georgetown, amplifying the voices of youth impacted by these critical issues. These committees ensure ASK remains a vibrant and impactful after care program kis initiative.
Community Partnerships: Expanding Opportunities
ASK actively collaborates with community-based organizations within Georgetown, DC, and nationally to create academic and professional development opportunities for coordinators, mentors, and youth participants. Beyond site partners, ASK has forged partnerships with organizations like the Detroit Justice Center, the Petey Greene Program, DC Justice Lab, and the Georgetown Women’s Center, enriching the program’s reach and impact.
To discover more about the ASK Program and explore how you can get involved, please email [email protected]. Stay connected with ASK and see our work in action by following us on Instagram!
The After School Kids Program operates under Georgetown University’s Protection of Minors policy, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for all participants.
