GEMS Academy  

  

                                                                                                    Click for: APPLICATION

 

MISSION:                                                                                     

To encourage growth, promote education, offer positive motivation, and equip young females with competencies needed for successful life transitions.

VISION:

The mission will be accomplished through the implementation of the following programs:

  • Etiquette, Tutoring, Mentoring, & Leadership Development

OBJECTIVES:

The programs will seek to accomplish the following objectives: Provide mentors that will encourage youth to set and reach their short & long-term goals to promote self-sufficiency. Give positive support and encouragement to help increase the youths’ sense of self-worth. Improve youths’ perspective toward education, provide college and career exploration opportunities, & recognize and promote excellence.

ACADEMY LEVELS:

Emerald: 6th Graders Sapphire: 7th Graders Ruby: 8th Graders Diamonds: 9th-12th Graders Black Pearls: Adult Volunteers

THE NAME:

The name GEMS is truly an acronym. G: Growth, E: Education, M: Motivation, and S: Success. A GEM was created by Faith Calhoun & Kae Copper during a brainstorming session when conceiving the academy. A gem is defined in Webster’s Dictionary as a, “jewel; a precious stone cut and polished for ornament; something prized especially for great beauty or perfection; a highly prized or well-beloved person”.

OVERVIEW:

The GEMS Academy is the sister program of the highly successful BMW (Black Males Working) Academy. After the implementation of the BMW Academy there were requests for a similar program for females. The academy will target middle & high school-aged females and retain participants through high-school completion.

TARGET POPULATION:

Academy will target females in grades 6th-12th. The academy is particularly interested in recruiting young females that may have barriers (low-income, poor academic levels, lack of resources, school/home behavioral issues, etc.).

ACADEMY MEETINGS:

The academy will hold meetings on the first and third Saturday of every month-unless when a holiday or church event conflicts. Meetings will start at 10:00 a.m. and conclude at 1:00 p.m. In the summer months, there will be one assembly per month and possible fieldtrips scheduled. The primary meeting location will be First Baptist Bracktown Church (3016 Bracktown Road, Lexington, KY).

ALL- INCLUSIVE MENTORSHIP:

The academy will offer mentoring to all participants provided by adult volunteers of the program. Relationships will be established between the adult women and teen participants during Saturday meetings.

ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES: (in no specific order)

Tutoring/Mentoring

Foreign Language

SAT/ACT Prepartion

College Scholarships

College Tours

College Preparation

College/Career Fairs

Career Counseling

Workplace Tours

Work-Readiness Workshops

Self-Esteem Workshops

Leadership Development

Goal-Setting

Etiquette Workshops

Health & Wellness

Recognition Events

Black History Showcase  

 

Contact us for more information at gap@bracktown.org