“The Academy isn't even over and we've already secured close to $20,000 as a direct result of my involvement as an Academy Fellow."
- Sophia Cabido, Executive Director, Central City Community Outreach, 2012 Senior Fellow
Our AfterSchool Leadership Academy™ is the only tuition-free, non-profit leadership development institute for neighborhood after-school program leaders serving low-income, at-risk youth in the greater Los Angeles community.
We believe the most cost-effective way to help thousands of inner-city youth stay in school, out of trouble and on track to a brighter future is to invest in leaders who invest so much helping them achieve against the odds through quality after-school programs.
Integrated, results- oriented and tuition-free, our Academy Fellowship Program offers program leaders what they need, but all too often cannot afford nor find through one program. Indeed, 100% of Academy Fellows would recommend the program to their colleagues (2011 Academy IMPACT Survey).
Since 1999, our Academy has provided quality staff training, free-of-charge, to help over 150 staff representing 52 after-school programs better serve more than 25,000 inner-city youth.
Introduced in 1999 as a free 6-month staff training program, our Academy has since evolved to become an innovative, non-profit leadership development program, which uniquely combines on-going TRAINING, COACHING, PRACTICAL APPLICATION and unparalleled NETWORKING opportunities with grantmakers and community leaders.
Each year through our Academy Fellowship Program, 12 - 15 Executive Directors and Senior Managers, particularly those with operating budgets less than $1 million, are competitively selected to participate, as First-Year or Senior Fellows, with 9 Academy Roundtables (January - September, 9:30 am - 2:30 pm) and an all-day Academy Retreat (October).
With corporate and community leaders volunteering as Discussion Leaders and Panelists, Academy Roundtables focus on:
After-School Issues & Trends
Effective After-School Programs
Strategic Thinking
Leadership Development
Board Development
Staff Development
Fiscal Management
Marketing & Communications
Fundraising & Resource Development
At each Roundtable, Academy Fellows network in a small-group setting with 3 grantmakers through our "Conversations with Grantmakers & Community Leaders Panel," which closes each Academy Roundtable.
Following each Roundtable, Academy Fellows complete a Leadership Challenge assignment related to that month's topic that leads to action and impact at their after-school program.
We also provide Academy Fellows with support beyond the classroom through at least 3 individualized leadership coaching sessions per year and site visits with our Board and Advisory Council.
Upon completion of their first-year, leaders may apply to participate for the second year as Senior Fellows, who are also challenged to complete a self-identified Leadership ACTION project while “paying it forward” as peer mentors for First-Year Fellows. Academy Fellowship alumni also benefit from on-going learning and networking opportunities.
Through our Academy’s rigorous, comprehensive, 10-month fellowship program, Academy Fellows build skills, confidence and relationships they can draw upon for support and inspiration throughout a lifetime of community service.
Applications for our Academy First-Year Fellowship Class of 2013 will be available July 1, 2012.
