GOLD2023

Knowledge Works Learning Academy Kai Wadiya Learning Academy

When knowledge works, so does everything else

aka KWLA   |   PHENIX CITY, AL   |  www.kwlakids.org

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Mission

Our mission is to provide a safe and healthy individual and community-centered educational hub for students meeting the spiritual, academic, mental, physical, emotional, and social needs through the facilitation of 21st century education modules using our innovative Flowing in the S.T.R.E.A.A.M. program.

Notes from the nonprofit

KWLA, Inc is embarking on building a newly constructed childcare center to accommodate a three-year waiting list for children ages 2-4 years of age. We are in need of in-kind donations from large corporations, construction companies, architectural firms, and monetary donations from kindhearted benefactors and private donors who wish to remain anonymous. KWLA, Inc have been approached in bringing KWLA to Columbus, Georgia. We are willing to come to provide affordable, quality, non-traditional childcare; startup cost for leasing a building that will accommodate 450 students with operating cost over the course of 5 years estimated cost is $5.3 million. 2024 is the year of the open mouth, open doors and open gates.

Ruling year info

2017

Executive Director & Founder

Mrs. Kai W Gary

Vice President

Aiyinde Abraham

Main address

3515 Summerville Road #120

PHENIX CITY, AL 36867 USA

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EIN

81-4869194

NTEE code info

Educational Services and Schools - Other (B90)

Children's and Youth Services (P30)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

Sign in or create an account to view Form(s) 990 for 2022, 2021 and 2020.
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Communication

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Addressing lack of quality programs (before/after school and during summer break) directed to minorities, low income, K-12 children and learners with disabilities. Offering non-traditional childcare hours.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

KWLA/KWLAKids, Inc Childcare Services

Summer Enrichment Program in partnership with Phenix City Housing Authority from Summer 2018-Fall 2019 providing education services using the formula S.T.R.E.A.A.M.- Science, Technology, Right Stuff, Engineering, Arts, Agriculture, and Music. with breakfast and lunch provided.

KWLA, Inc is now located at 903 South Railroad Street Phenix City, Alabama 36867. KWLA, Inc provides Before Care 5:00 AM- 7AM, Full Day School Services 7AM-2PM, After-School Care 3PM-7PM and Night Care 7PM-12 midnight. Serving students ages Infant -17.

Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Economically disadvantaged people
Multiracial people
People of African descent
People of Asian descent

Summer Academics on the banks of the Chattahoochee Valley with a holistic program using acronym - S.T.R.E.A.A.M. - Science, Technology, Rightness, Engineering, Arts, Agriculture, and Mathematics. Breakfast, Lunch & Snack provided free of charge to all participants and nonparticipants in the community.

Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Economically disadvantaged people

Where we work

Affiliations & memberships

State of Alabama CoVID--19 Relief Grant Recipient 2020

Alabama Department of Human Services License 2021

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

Increase low test scores among students in Russell County by reinforcing best practices and strategies coupled with technology, engineering, agriculture, art, music, and holistic models of integration to achieve goals.
Decrease summer loss due to lack of academic programs in the community during the summer break and after school homework hubs during the school year.

Integration of hands on learning strategies. Infusion of art for expression. Mathematics through technology and robotics toys/play integrated into curriculum.

Executive Director is an Education Specialist. Reading Coach is a Retired/Veteran educator with over 30 years experience as a reading specialist and Counselor. Volunteers are Students in Education programs at local university and AmeriCorps trained volunteers.

Parents volunteer and learn with their children which keep the students grounded. The program is in the public housing community center so their peers are learning with them and there is no inconvenience in terms of travel for the families.

We also provide breakfast, lunch, and a snack to ensure that hunger is not a learning barrier.

We are a tri-agency connection. Two nonprofits (KWLA Inc. & Chattahoochee Valley Feeding Program), with Federal government (Phenix City Housing Authority). 2018-2019

Initiated an after-school program for over 30 students in the summer of 2018-Fall 2019. Will continue program during the school year as an after-school homework hub in conjunction with the Phenix City Housing Authority and other nonprofit organizations (feeding programs).

KWLA, Inc continued serving the community, remained open for academic-enrichment services during the Pandemic, while renting a fellowship hall licensed for 20 students ages 4-17, offering non-traditional childcare services 5AM-12AM. KWLA, Inc offered homework sessions, tutoring and remained a safe haven for students, Tuesdays & Thursday, at no cost to parents from April 2020-December 2021. KWLA served at-risk students, foster kids, students with failing grades. Team building activities and summer fieldtrips combated depression, isolation and social emotional issues while adhering to COVID-19 social distance mandates.

KWLA, Inc was excited to purchase land and moved from a 20 licensed fellowship hall to a former childcare location licensed for 70 students. KWLA, Inc extended childcare services to serve infants through age 3, while
continuing to service students ages 4-17 offering non-traditional childcare hours for working parents and schooling. KWLA, Inc partnered with Tuskegee University Agriculture Department offering year-round gardening supports. Parents and students assisted KWLA with garden boxes, planting Romaine lettuce, Collard Greens, Kale, and Cabbages. Parents as well as KWLA staff enjoy fresh vegetables.

How we listen

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.

done We shared information about our current feedback practices.
  • How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?

    To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals

  • Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?

    We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We act on the feedback we receive, We share the feedback we received with the people we serve

  • What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?

    We don’t have the right technology to collect and aggregate feedback efficiently

Financials

Knowledge Works Learning Academy Kai Wadiya Learning Academy
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Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

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Connect with nonprofit leaders

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lock

Connect with nonprofit leaders

Subscribe

Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.

Knowledge Works Learning Academy Kai Wadiya Learning Academy

Board of directors
as of 01/15/2024
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board co-chair

Mrs. Kai Gary

Knowledge Works Learning Academy,Inc/ Kai Wa'Diya Learning Academy- KWLA

Term: 2077 - 2018


Board co-chair

Aiyinde Abraham

Knowledge Works Learning Academy, Inc

Term: 2018 - 2027

Patricia McEachane Gross

Private Practice Physician

Aiyinde Abraham

Graduate Student

Melvin Gary, Jr.

U.S. Marine Veteran

Amber Patton

Graduate Student

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • Board orientation and education
    Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes
  • CEO oversight
    Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Not applicable
  • Ethics and transparency
    Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes
  • Board composition
    Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes
  • Board performance
    Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 1/14/2024

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
Black/African American
Gender identity
Female
Sexual orientation
Decline to state
Disability status
Person with a disability

The organization's co-leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
Black/African American
Gender identity
Male
Sexual orientation
Decline to state
Disability status
Decline to state

Race & ethnicity

No data

Gender identity

No data

Transgender Identity

No data

Sexual orientation

No data

Disability

No data

Equity strategies

Last updated: 09/24/2020

GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more

Data
  • We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
Policies and processes
  • We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.