what we do?

Groundworkz Central, Inc. Programs

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The Groundworkz Central Afterschool Achievement Program

The Groundworkz Afterschool Achievement program provides an innovative, accommodating environment outside school where youth will have the opportunity to build on their character, study, and get homework and other projects completed before dinner. This program will be available to students in grades 6-12 that apply for enrollment via the Groundworkz website. In addition to helping participants with academic studies, we offer other engaging activities, with a goal to motivate youth to think about their future goals and make healthy lifestyle choices. Some of the other activities include sports study, art activities, computer exploration, and mentoring. The Groundworkz afterschool program operates in conjunction with Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, utilizing age-appropriate curriculum, materials, and equipment for students. We have partnered with local recreation centers, public libraries, and selected CMS schools, to ensure students spend out-of-school hours in safe and stimulating environments. The after school program staff also collaborates with community partners and sponsors - some that offer goods and services like snacks and supplies, and others that make educational field trips and college visits possible - to enhance the students’ learning experience.

 

The Groundworkz Central Education Foundation

At Groundworkz Central, Inc. we are aware that the pursuit of higher education is an important goal for many of our students and their parents/guardians. This is often an expensive, time consuming and confusing process. To address such an obvious need, we provide further assistance through our Career Education Foundation. The purpose of the foundation is to help encourage and facilitate students' post high school goals, in addition to working towards making those goals a reality. This initiative is designed as a resource for young people through the Groundworkz network. With assistance from Groundworkz volunteers, staff, and other affiliates, students will learn useful financial strategies to achieve their goals once they graduate high school - through applying for scholarships, grants, and numerous networking opportunities with admissions staff from surrounding colleges and universities.

 

 The Groundworkz Service Learning Program

In order to maintain a persistent and enduring commitment to public service, The Groundworkz Team has developed a community service learning program. One of the main reasons that Groundworkz was created is because we aim to be of the utmost assistance to our community. We believe that everyone should embrace the responsibility and opportunity to use their knowledge and skills to build better lives and communities. Encouraging others to embrace the idea of improving our communities, while providing resources and avenues to accomplish such work is our sincerest aspiration. Service learning is a process in which students learn and develop through active participation in defined activities designed to benefit the community. Students participating in the Groundworkz Service Learning Program will have the opportunity to volunteer with partners and affiliates of Groundworkz, which include other nonprofit organizations, schools, community centers, and organizations that serve the hungry and homeless; ultimately ensuring that their work is both relevant and beneficial to community needs.

 

The Queen City Invitational 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament & Back to School Kids’ Fun Day

The Queen City Invitational is our annual event. Several businesses and community leaders, in addition to hundreds of people are on board to support us.  Our goal is to provide support and service to parents and youth in the Charlotte Mecklenburg community, as they get prepared to begin another year of school. We offer free school supplies and other “back to school” gifts, including hygiene products, backpacks, gas cards, raffled prizes, and other gifts provided by sponsors. Attendees at the event are also able to participate in a 3 on 3 basketball tournament, and the winning team of each age bracket in the tournament will receive a gift card to a sneaker store and trophy.  We provide “bounce houses”, a face painting booth, other games and comprehensive activities for youth, as well as food, drinks, and a healthy snack bar.

Future goals

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  • To increase our involvement and partnerships with an additional 10 schools/ organizations on a regular basis to conduct programs, workshops, and seminars
  • To increase our staff of full-time employees and volunteers
  • In addition to finding scholarships for students, our goal is to offer our own Groundworkz Sponsored* Scholarships to qualified students
  • Open a Groundworkz tutoring center to assist students in our afterschool programs, and to help those working with the Groundworkz Career Education Foundation, to ensure that participants are able to meet scholarship and grant requirements, as well as university or college requirements for admission.
  • Start a Groundworkz Central Summer Research Program, to engage youth in specialized, educational enrichment programs throughout the summer i.e. S.T.E.M. education.