• Only 68% of high school students graduate from DC high schools. (OSSE)
• One in three young people do not have access to an adult mentor, and are therefore less likely to graduate high school, go to college, and lead healthy and productive lives. (MENTOR, The National Mentoring Partnership)

Kid Power offers unique enrichment opportunities through PowerUp!, a freeform, youth-led, enrichment program for youth in middle and high school. The goal of PowerUp! is to empower youth to explore career, college, financial literacy, civic engagement, and personal goals on their own terms. We explore content that youth are interested in and want to learn more about. Youth participate in career site visits, field trips, and bi-monthly workshops that teach and empower.

 

In 2019, Mentors Inc. merged with Kid Power to increase our impact and support youth graduating from Kid Power’s after-school and Summer Leadership Academy programming. In its 32-year history, Mentors Inc. matched and supported more than 6,500 students – more than 90% of whom graduated from high school. In addition, at least 80% enroll in post-secondary education compared to less than 29% of their peers, and nearly 90% of students who began the program in 8th grade have been promoted from 9th to 10th grade. Kid Power is thrilled to continue this legacy and success while adding new program components, strengthening evaluation measures, increasing sustainability efforts, expanding program reach, and ultimately increasing impact on DC youth. 

 

Mentors Inc. @ Kid Power supports DC public and charter school youth in grades 8-12 with one-to-one community-based mentors to support them with academic, career, civic engagement, and personal development goals. The MI@KP program uses the Mentoring Road Map to guide protégés and their matches in setting and reaching their goals. This program follows national best practices that support enhanced youth outcomes and includes career site visits, college tours, enrichment activities, and ongoing match support.