THE VISION
The Squad Williams Foundation’s (SWF) vision is to empower low-income youth, living in under-resourced communities throughout the country, to improve their lives and achieve their full intellectual, social, and emotional potential as well as bridge the information and opportunity gap that often exists.
To implement this vision, we will support, design, and develop programs specifically intended to address problems that have historically led to disparities and unequal outcomes. We will develop sustainable and reliable collaborative partnerships with schools, businesses, community organizations, other non-profits, and government agencies who will benefit and share the mission and vision of SWF.
Developing platforms are in three focus areas: Education, Workforce Development, and Health & Wellness:
EDUCATION
- Afterschool Academic Support – Provide tutoring and other academic assistance to elementary and secondary school kids by state certified educators. Pre-assessments and post-assessments will be conducted to track progress and ensure optimal outcomes.
- Educational Seminars, Summits, and Interactive Workshops – Host and sponsor a variety of educational seminars and summits to help bridge the information gap. These workshops will be available to high school and college students, based on their interest and career goals.
- Multicultural Listen, Learn & Lead Podcast – A youth podcast with teenagers of diverse cultural backgrounds will discuss relevant issues that will give a new generation a better understanding of each other and help to break down stereotypical barriers.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
- Financial Literacy & Entrepreneurs Training - Provides financial literacy and entrepreneurial training for secondary and high school students, giving them the basic understanding of fiscal management and building a business.
- Workforce Development Programing – Work with local plumbers, electricians, landscapers, and other small business to host on-the-job training for college age students. This will be a paid internship.
- Economic Development – Help the Workforce Development youth participants create a legitimate business, in their communities, after internship.
- Farmers Market & Community Gardens – Support paid internships for High School students to work at a youth-run farmers’ Market and/or community garden. The uniqueness of this program is the intersection of the farmers’ market with entrepreneurs training, where local high school students learn real life workforce and entrepreneurial skills while also earning an hourly wage.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
- Youth Fitness – promote healthy living through scheduled active play and provide a safe environment for children in elementary and secondary schools.
Core Principles (values):
- To adapt to the changing needs of the community.
- To build coalitions and bridges.
- To collaborate and involve the community.
- To promote inclusion and diverse engagement.
- To seek “Out of the Box” innovative programming.
We promise to listen and respond to the needs of the communities that we serve as we systematically work to bridge the gap and in turn, create neighborhoods that are self-sufficient with sustainable growth.
